Urgent reminder to ensure Health & Safety compliance or face £1000/day HSE inspection fees

HSE are targeting joinery businesses with inspection visits and we have had a growing number of reports from BWF members saying that they have been subject to visits from inspectors without any notice.

It is therefore essential that all BWF members ensure they have the relevant Health & Safety precautions in place, including appropriate guarding on the machinery, PPE, regular LEV testing (including spray booths & Portable systems for use on power hand tools), and full risk assessments or face the inevitable consequences of possible improvement or prohibition notices and an invoice!

HSE will charge the intervention costs at £124 per hour if a breach in Health & Safety law is discovered. The total amount to be recovered will be based on the amount of time it takes HSE to identify and conclude its regulatory action, in relation to the breach. This will also include any associated office work. More information on Fee for Intervention can be found on HSE’s website https://www.hse.gov.uk/fee-for-intervention/index.htm

HSE have already recovered more than £1million from businesses via the cost recovery scheme, which was launched in October last year. The visit programme is targeting ‘higher risk’ sectors such as manufacturing, and it is thought that almost one third of inspections have resulted in a fee being charged.

Please also see our ‘Health and Safety: the essentials’ checklist here: www.bwf.org.uk/publications/health-and-safety/3   and our latest HSE Inspection Guidance Note.

If you require further assistance or guidance please do let us know. Our member helplines including practical help from our health & safety partner Didac Ltd and an extensive range of BWF publications (see below) –  all available as part of your membership.

• The BWF Guide to Health & Safety in the woodworking industry
www.bwf.org.uk/publications/health-and-safety/2
• This guide also includes a number of sample forms which can be adapted by members including:

– Record of thorough examination and testing of Local Exhaust Ventilation(LEV)
– Record of thorough examination and testing of RPE
– COSHH assessment record and example
– Sample of a risk assessment form
– PUWER report of inspection for work equipment
– Specimen Training Record
– BWF Machine Safety Cards

Additionally you may wish to undertake a Health & Safety Audit to determine a company’s current compliance and knowledge of its responsibilities under the legislation.  An inspection visit will be arranged and a plan for corrective action prepared. The BWF has negotiated exclusive rates with experienced health & safety advisors to bring you a simple value for money package.

The service includes a site visit at your place of work, undertaking the Health & Safety Audit and then afterwards producing a report that will not only suggest where your health and safety needs to be improved, but also how to achieve it. While undertaking the audit, the advisor will also spend time with a representative of your company, providing them with guidance on how to achieve the audit internally.