HSE makes cost recovery dispute process independent (E, S, W)

 Disputed invoices raised under the Fee for Intervention (FFI) scheme, which was introduced in October 2012 to make businesses breaking workplace health and safety law pay any costs incurred by the Health and Safety Executive as a result, are now considered by a fully independent panel.

As part of a revised process that came into force on 1 September, the panel is now chaired by a lawyer and includes two independent members with practical experience of the management of health and safety. It previously comprised two HSE personnel and one independent member.

The new process also provides greater clarity about the information HSE will give to businesses to allow them to make appropriate representations to the panel.

‘Fee for intervention (FFI)’ includes further information about the fee and the related query/dispute process.