What Happens When an Inspector Visits

If the inspector identifies breaches of health and safety law, they may take action. In serious situations, they can require you to stop unsafe activities immediately.

When an inspector from the Health and Safety Executive attends your workplace, their main aim is to assess how effectively you are protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of your employees and anyone else who could be affected by your operations. They may also check that appropriate welfare facilities are in place, such as clean toilets and access to hot and cold running water, and provide guidance where improvements are needed.

During the inspection, the inspector may:

• Ask questions about your workforce and their roles
• Identify potential health and safety risks linked to your activities
• Examine machinery, equipment, and work processes
• Request to review documents and records
• Take photographs as evidence

They will also want to understand:

• The key health and safety risks within your workplace
• Your level of knowledge and experience in managing these risks

In addition, the inspector may discuss relevant industry standards, guidance, and typical working practices.

Speaking with Employees

Inspectors will often speak directly with employees or their representatives to confirm that safety procedures are understood and being followed in practice.

If Problems Are Found

If the inspector identifies breaches of health and safety law, they may take action. In serious situations, they can require you to stop unsafe activities immediately.

Once the inspection is complete, the inspector may take one or more of the following actions:

• Provide verbal or written advice
• Issue a notification of contravention
• Serve an improvement notice
• Serve a prohibition notice
• Begin legal proceedings

Notification of Contravention (NoC)

A Notification of Contravention is a formal written notice explaining how your business has failed to comply with health and safety law and what must be done to correct it.

This is only issued where there has been a material breach, meaning a significant failure to meet legal requirements. If a NoC is issued, you will be required to pay for the inspector’s time under the Fee for Intervention scheme.

Fee for Intervention (FFI)

Where a material breach is identified, a charge known as the Fee for Intervention applies. The current rate is £183 per hour.

• Time spent on-site during the inspection
• Report writing and administrative work
• Seeking specialist advice
• Follow-up discussions with you and your employees

The total cost will depend on factors such as:

• The duration of the visit
• The time required to resolve issues
• The complexity of the investigation
• Any enforcement action taken

An improvement notice outlines:

• What the issue is
• What actions are required to fix it
• The timeframe for completion

You will normally be given at least 21 days to comply. Failing to do so is a criminal offence.

A prohibition notice is issued where there is a serious and immediate risk of harm. It requires you to stop a specific activity until it can be carried out safely. Non-compliance is a criminal offence.

The Health and Safety Executive or local authority may prosecute businesses that breach health and safety laws or fail to comply with enforcement notices. Penalties can include substantial fines and, in some cases, imprisonment.

If you need further support, advice, or assistance following an inspection, you can contact us, where experienced consultants are available to help!