12 tips to beat HSE’s £124 per hour inspection fees

HSE are targeting joinery businesses with inspection visits and we have had a number of reports from BWF members saying that they have been subject to visits from HSE inspectors at exceptionally short notice. Under the Fee For Intervention scheme, which was brought in last year, HSE will charge the intervention costs at £124 per hour if a breach in Health & Safety law is discovered during an inspection.

It is therefore crucial that all BWF members ensure they have the relevant Health & Safety precautions in place, including appropriate guarding on the machinery, PPE, regular LEV testing, full risk assessments and lung function testing (if necessary). You also need to ensure that you have trained first aiders in place, and use the appropriate Health and Safety and training policies. These are both legal obligations and requirements as part of the BWF Code of Conduct.

We have produced a checklist to prevent you getting caught out which includes tips on :

Is your woodworking machinery maintained and safe to use?
Are your employees appropriately trained in health and safety matters?
Dust Extraction – Have you got it covered?
Do you know how to report work-related accidents, diseases and dangerous occurrences?
Are you managing asbestos?

You can download our ‘Health and Safety: the essentials’ checklist here:

www.bwf.org.uk/publications/health-and-safety/3