HSE review of Fee for Intervention welcomed by British Safety Council 13 January 2014

The British Safety Council has welcomed the extension to the planned review of the HSE's (Health and Safety Executive) 'Fee for Intervention', as announced in its report from the Triennial Review of the HSE, conducted by Martin Temple, chair of the EEF.

In his report, Temple sets out a series of recommendations – concerning funding, delivery, commercial options and its relationships with other regulators – which he considers will assist HSE in delivering its functions while improving efficiency and effectiveness.

"We note that Temple highlighted concerns over the recently introduced cost recovery scheme," asserts Alex Botha, chief executive of the British Safety Council.

"Many of these concerns reflect the views of our members, submitted to the review, so we welcome the recommendations concerning the planned review of FFI to be expanded," he adds.

In the report, Temple acknowledges that HSE's funding from government has fallen significantly over the last 10 years and that it is likely to continue reducing.

"We fully endorse the government and Temple's view that HSE must embrace innovation and efficiency to make the most of the money it receives. However, we must be realistic about what more HSE can realistically do with its finite resources," comments Botha.

Hence, while supporting Temple's approach around a more commercial in outlook and delivery, the British Safety Council suggests that there are dangers in "over-commercialising HSE's functions and increased public service involvement in a market that is already well provided for".

Says Botha: "The British Safety Council in its evidence to the Temple review expressed its concerns about a reduction in resources that many Local Authorities were devoting to the regulation of workplace health and safety.

"While the review made clear the important role played by HSE in actively reviewing the regulatory performance of Local Authorities, we had hoped to see a more detailed consideration of bringing together the regulation and enforcement of workplace health under one roof."

Brian Tinham

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British Safety Council
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