Fee for Intervention (FFI)

Posted: Tuesday 2nd, October 2012

FFI – what you need to know

HSE’s cost recovery scheme, Fee for Intervention (FFI), came into effect on 1 October 2012. You can read all about the scheme on HSE’s website but here are the main points.

What is it?
If you break health and safety laws, HSE may recover its costs from you by charging a fee for the time it spends investigating, helping you to put the matter right and taking enforcement action.

Why is it being introduced?
HSE and the government believe that businesses committing a material breach should pay for the time HSE spends on helping to put matters right, such as investigation and enforcement.

Will it apply to me?
Only if you break health and safety laws.

I’m regulated by local authority environmental health officers – will FFI still apply?
No. FFI only applies to work carried out by HSE inspectors.

Are there any exceptions?
FFI will apply to all businesses inspected by HSE, except:
a. self-employed people who don’t put other people at risk by their work;
b. businesses that are already paying fees to HSE for the work through other arrangements;
c. businesses that work with certain biological agents.

What is classed as a material breach?
A material breach is when, in the opinion of the HSE inspector, there is or has been a contravention of health and safety law that requires them to issue notice in writing to the dutyholder. For example, a breach would be not providing safety guards around dangerous parts on machines.

How much might it cost me if I’ve broken health and safety laws?
Each hour that an inspector spends on dealing with your material breach will cost £124.

I’ve got many more questions, where can I find answers?
There’s detailed guidance about the scheme on HSE’s website.