How we handle your request

Each request for information will first be reviewed to determine the most appropriate disclosure gateway.  We will consider the context and the specific information you are seeking, for example:

• Information relating to HSE's general work as a public authority will typically be considered under FOIA;
• Information relating to environmental matters will usually be considered under EIR;
• Information that is personal to you would be dealt with under DPA; and,
• Information about a health and safety incident in the workplace will typically be considered under FOIA in the first instance, and possibly CPR in certain circumstances

HSE will only disclose recorded information in response to a formal request. It will not:

• Provide a response that requires the creation of new information, or
• The giving of an opinion or judgement that is not already held in a recorded format

Reasons for refusing your request

In certain circumstances, we may refuse some, or all, of your request.  Possible reasons why we would refuse disclosure include (but are not limited to):

• We don't hold the information you've requested
• Information is already publicly available via another means
• Information relates to another living person and we do not have their consent to share that information
• Information relates to an ongoing operational matter (eg an investigation) where disclosure would compromise that work
• There is no public interest served by the disclosure
• Information relates to sensitive commercial activities which disclosure would compromise
• The information relates to matters of national security which disclosure would compromise
• Responding would require an unjustified or disproportionate level of cost

If you are not happy with our response

If you are unhappy with the decision made by HSE under Freedom of Information (FOI) or Environmental Information Regulations, you may ask for an internal review or make a complaint to the Information Commissioners.