The cost of non-compliance

Between 2018 and 2019, the average fine for health and safety non-compliance was £150,000 — up from £148,000 in 2017/18. The single largest fine weighed in at an eye-watering £3 million, while, at approximately £54.5 million, the total value of fines levied on UK businesses over the same 12-month period was equally staggering.

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This begs the question: how does the HSE determine what constitutes a serious offence under current legislation?

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Typically, falls from height qualify because they often result in life-changing or fatal injuries. But the rest aren't so cut and dry. For other incidents, the HSE must take other considerations into account when assessing the severity of a compliance breach.

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Recorded by the Safety and Health Practitioner, these include:

• Cutting costs at the expense of occupational health and safety

• Deliberately concealing illegal activity

• A poor health and safety record

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What’s interesting about these statistics is that, as recently as 2016, the cost of making an organisation compliant with UK regulations ranged between £5000-£40,000. Firms could save £75,000 in avoidable financial penalties if they implement the basic health and safety measures that would help them remain compliant.

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Factor in the legal costs and inevitable personal injury claims that accompany a compliance breach, and the potential savings will be even greater.

source: https://www.safetybank.co.uk