Health & Safety Compliance

Health and safety compliance protects your workforce and business from serious harm and prosecution. HSE enforcement is increasing, with unlimited fines and potential imprisonment for directors making expert legal guidance essential.

What Our Health & Safety Solicitors Can Help With

• HSE Investigations: Defending health and safety investigations and prosecutions
• Compliance Audits: Comprehensive health and safety compliance assessments
• Risk Assessment Reviews: Professional risk assessment preparation and review
• Policy Development: Health and safety policies and management systems
• Accident Investigation: Managing workplace accidents and incident reporting
• Training Programs: Staff training on health and safety compliance
• Construction Safety: CDM regulations and construction site safety
• Director Liability: Protecting directors from personal prosecution

Understanding Health & Safety Law

Health and Safety at Work Act 1974:

• Employer duty of care to employees and visitors
• Ensuring safe systems of work
• Providing adequate training and supervision
• Maintaining safe workplace environment
• Consulting with employees on safety matters
• Recording and reporting accidents and incidents

Management of Health and Safety Regulations:

• Risk assessment requirements
• Health and safety management arrangements
• Competent person appointments
• Emergency procedures and first aid
• Health surveillance where required
• Information, instruction and training

HSE Enforcement and Penalties

HSE Powers:

• Workplace inspections and investigations
• Improvement and prohibition notices
• Prosecution for health and safety offences
• Unlimited fines for serious breaches
• Disqualification of company directors
• Custodial sentences up to 2 years

Recent Penalty Trends:

• Average fine for death: £500,000-£2 million
• Average fine for major injury: £50,000-£500,000
• Director disqualification: 2-15 years
• Personal prosecution of directors increasing
• Costs orders often exceed £100,000

Sector-Specific Requirements

Construction Industry:

• Construction (Design and Management) Regulations
• Principal designer and contractor duties
• Site safety management plans
• Competence assessment requirements
• Health and safety files

Manufacturing & Industrial:

• Machinery safety and guarding
• Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
• Noise and vibration exposure limits
• Manual handling risk assessments
• Personal protective equipment requirements

Healthcare & Social Care:

• Moving and handling of patients
• Infection control and prevention
• Violence and aggression management
• Medical device safety
• Staff health surveillance

Crisis Management and Investigation Defence

Immediate Accident Response:

• Secure the accident scene and preserve evidence
• Report serious accidents to HSE (RIDDOR)
• Conduct internal investigation
• Notify insurance providers
• Prepare for potential HSE investigation
• Consider external legal representation

HSE Investigation Defence Strategy:

• Early legal representation from specialist solicitors
• Evidence preservation and expert witness instruction
• Witness interview preparation and attendance
• Challenge HSE findings and recommendations
• Negotiate outcomes and penalty mitigation
• Coordinate with insurance and civil claim defence

Health & Safety Compliance Costs

Compliance Services:

• Health and safety audit: £1,500-£5,000
• Risk assessment review: £1,000-£3,000
• Policy development: £2,000-£8,000
• Training programs: £500-£2,000 per session

Investigation Defence:

• HSE investigation representation: £10,000-£50,000
• Magistrates court defence: £15,000-£40,000
• Crown court defence: £50,000-£200,000
• Expert witness fees: £5,000-£20,000

Why Choose SolicitorConnect for Health & Safety

• Specialist Expertise: Solicitors focusing exclusively on health and safety law
• Investigation Experience: Proven track record defending HSE prosecutions
• Technical Knowledge: Understanding of workplace hazards and control measures
• Crisis Response: 24/7 availability for serious accident situations
• Practical Solutions: Cost-effective compliance strategies that work
• Director Protection: Specialist advice on personal liability and protection

Professional health and safety legal advice protects your business, your employees, and your personal liability from increasingly aggressive HSE enforcement.

This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal advice tailored to your situation, please consult with a qualified solicitor.