Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Statistics
In 2007/08, there were 7 740 enforcement notices issued by HSE, compared to 8 274 in 2006/07. Of these, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) issued 25 and 40 notices respectively for those years. In 2007/08 local authorities issued 6 010 notices, compared to 6 960 in 2006/07. This gives a total of 13 750 enforcement notices issued by all enforcing authorities in 2007/08.
In 2007/08, there were 1 137 offences prosecuted by HSE that were heard in that year. Of these, 1 028 were completed, resulting in 839 convictions (82%). Of the 1 028 figure, two offences, both leading to convictions, relate to railways. These were initiated by HSE, although this industry is now enforced by ORR.
The average penalty per conviction in 2007/08 was £12 896. If fines of £100 000 and above are excluded, this gives an average penalty of £7 809.
The figure of 1 028 offences prosecuted represents individual breaches of separate health and safety legislation, and a dutyholder may be prosecuted for more than one breach within the same prosecution case. In 2007/08, the 1 028 offences prosecuted represents 565 cases, of which there were 537 cases (95%) where a conviction was secured against at least one breach.
Further information about convictions secured by HSE.
In 2007/08 a total of 354 offences prosecuted were heard in that year, resulting in 334 convictions, a rate of 94%. These offences relate to 156 cases, of which 152 (97%) secured a conviction against at least one breach.
In 2007/08, the average penalty per conviction was £7 663. If untypical large fines (more than £100 000) are omitted, the average is £5 650.
