Enforcement

Notices

In 2008/09, there were 8054 enforcement notices issued by HSE, compared to 7758 in 2007/08. In addition, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) issued 33 and 21 notices respectively for those years.

In 2008/09 local authorities issued 6340 notices, compared to 6010 in 2007/08.

This gives a total of 14 427 enforcement notices issued by all enforcing authorities in 2008/09.

More information regarding the HSC enforcement policy.

Figure 1: Enforcement notices issued by HSE and local authorities

* includes ORR

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Prosecutions taken by HSE

In 2008/09, there were 1245 offences prosecuted in Great Britain by HSE and ORR, and which were heard in that year. Of these, 1104 were completed, resulting in 860 convictions (78%).

Within the 1104 figure, 14 offences, all resulting in convictions, relate to railways, now enforced by ORR.

Offences prosecuted represent individual breaches of separate health and safety legislation. A dutyholder may be prosecuted for more than one breach within the same prosecution case. In 2008/09, the 1104 offences represents 600 cases, of which there were 548 cases (91%) where a conviction was secured against at least one breach.

In 2008/09, those organisations found guilty of health and safety offences received fines totalling £12.4 million, giving average penalties on conviction of £14,614 per breach, equating to £20,606 per case (figures exclude ORR).

Further information about convictions secured by HSE.

Figure 2: Prosecutions by HSE*

*In Scotland, the Procurator Fiscal prosecutes on behalf of HSE; such prosecutions are included in the above figures.

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Prosecutions taken by local authorities

In 2008/09 a total of 329 offences prosecuted (breaches) were heard in that year, resulting in 309 convictions, a rate of 94%.

These offences relate to 142 cases, of which 139 (98%) secured a conviction against at least one breach.

In 2008/09, those organisations found guilty of health and safety breaches received fines totalling £1.73 million, giving average penalties on conviction of £5607 per breach, which relates to £12,466 per case.

Figure 3: Prosecutions taken by local authorities

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• Suite of enforcement tables providing figures on enforcement action