Businesses alerted to bogus mailshots

HSE Press Release: E012:05 - 24 January 2005

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) today urged businesses across Britain to ignore all correspondence from a firm calling itself the “Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division”.

HSE has received complaints from businesses who have received requests from the “Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division” for payment in order to achieve compliance with the law. The requests, sent from a Bradford address and quoting £199 for registration if “compliant” or £249 if “non-compliant”, should be reported to HSE or to the police.

Justin McCracken, HSE’s Deputy Directory General (Operations), said: “The Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division is not connected to HSE and is not an official body. Businesses should ignore any approach from this firm, and any similar offers.

HSE would never write indiscriminately to firms seeking advance payment for services. Many of our services are provided free of charge and much of our guidance is on our website. For businesses who would like more detailed information, our Health and Safety Starter Pack is available for £30.”

Notes to editors

1. Correspondence from the bogus agency has been received in Kent, Staffordshire, Cambridge, Bedfordshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire, Lancashire, Durham, West Midlands, Northamptonshire, Surrey and Sussex.

2. Anyone receiving correspondence from the Health and Safety Registration Enforcement Division, or any such requests, should contact their local HSE office or West Yorkshire police on 01924 292 599.

3. Basic information on health and safety for businesses is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/business/index.htm.

4. The Health and Safety Starter Pack: Health and Safety Advice and Guidance for New and Small Businesses is available from HSE Books, priced £30. ISBN 0 7176 2738 1

5. HSE and local authorities are responsible for the enforcement of health and safety in Great Britain, under the strategic direction of the Health and Safety Commission (HSC). HSE and local authorities work in partnership to secure HSC’s objectives.

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