Westminster Compliance

The scheme, known as Fee for Intervention (FFI) aims to recover costs from those who break health and safety laws, for the time and effort that the HSE spend investigating, taking enforcement and putting matters right.

HSE’s programme director, said that while FFI will not be introduced in April, it will be at the next available opportunity, which is likely to be October 2012. He also said: ”The Government has agreed that it is right that those who break the law should pay their fair share of the costs to put things right – and not the public purse.

“Discussions are still taking place on the technical details of the scheme, which we expect to conclude soon.”

The HSE stress that law-abiding businesses will be free from costs and will not pay a penny. In the meantime the HSE is taking advantage of the extra time to further work with businesses improving their understanding of the scheme and how it will affect them.

We recently met with Watford Borough Councils Local Environment Officer to discuss how both the council and ourselves, Westminster Compliance can also work with businesses to help their understanding of complying with Health and Safety in a way that’s both time & cost effective.

To be kept up to date with current legislation or for some free support please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

We’re excited to announce (if you haven’t already heard!) we will be presenting at The Business Essentials Conference on Wednesday 23rd Nov so to make sure you don’t miss out - book your place now!!

The Business Essentials Conference provides vital information about legal and regulatory changes and the implementation of best practice for businesses throughout the United Kingdom. The events are run by DOHR Limited, a North London based Human Resources consultancy.

Keen to provide additional services to benefit businesses of all sizes, DOHR works with several partner companies to provide a wider scope of business support. The Business Essentials Conference is the next step in the process of ensuring that companies understand their legal and regulatory obligations and benefit through implementing best practice and finding ways to save money and increase profitability.

The first Business Essentials Conference focuses on Human Resources and Best Practice for business and brings together several leaders in the field of business consultancy. Amongst the topics that will be discussed are Human Resources for Small Business, understanding the new Bribery Act, the ramifications of the changes to pension laws and getting to grips with the recruitment challenges of today.

From 12 September 2011, the HSE will be implementing the following changes of the reporting procedures of accident & incident to RIDDOR (the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995) …

Businesses will (still) be able to notify fatal and major incidents and injuries by phone, however employers will no longer be able to report  any other work-related injuries and incidents under RIDDOR by phone. These will move to a predominantly online system, through a suite of seven forms available on HSE’s website.

As a result, there is now a legal as well as moral obligation on employers to ensure they prevent bribery within their organisations. There are six key principles which must be complied with:

• Appropriate policy and procedures must be in place. They should be developed so that they are company specific and therefore relevant to each business
• Commitment from the very top of the business, all the way down
• To carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential problems
• Due diligence
• Ensure that the all employees are aware of the company’s policy on bribery are appropriately trained and know how to get further information
• Monitoring and reviewing of the policies, its implementation and ongoing compliance are essential and measures must be put in place to ensure that the requirements of the Act are embedded in the culture of the business

With Bribery allegations very much in the news at the moment, there must be even greater caution within businesses and due consideration given to actions and required effects.

For further information contact us on 020 3411 7888  and we’ll put you in touch with our preferred HR associate. Don’t forget to mention this blog!