Health and Safety
Executive / Commission
Statistics
In 2005/06 there were 13 363 enforcement notices issued by all enforcing authorities, compared to 14 891 in 2004/05.
Since 1 April 2006 enforcement of railway safety has been the responsibility of the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR). In 2006/07 HSE issued 8071 enforcement notices, and ORR issued 28. The combined figure of 8099 compares to the 6593 notices issued by HSE in 2005/06.
Statistics for enforcement notices issued by local authorities are not yet available for 2006/07. Between 2000/01 and 2005/06 the number issued increased by 17% to 6770.
More information regarding the HSC enforcement policy.
In 2006/07, the number of offences prosecuted by HSE increased to 1141, from 1056 in 2005/06. Of the 2006/07 figure, nine offences related to railways. These were initiated by HSE, although this industry is now enforced by ORR.
The number of convictions increased in 2006/07 to 848 (of which, six convictions related to railways).
The average penalty per conviction in 2006/07 was £15,370. If fines in excess of £100,000 are excluded, this gives an average of £8723.
Further information about convictions secured by HSE.
Statistics for prosecutions by local authorities are not yet available for 2006/07.
In 2005/06 a total of 257 offences prosecuted led into 247 convictions; both figures are continuing the downward trend since 1995/96.
In 2005/06, the proportion of offences prosecuted by local authorities that led to conviction was 96% which is the highest conviction rate over a ten year period.
In 2005/06, the average penalty per conviction was £9674, approximately two thirds higher than in 2004/05 (£5899). If untypical large fines (more than £100,000) are omitted, the average fine in 2005/06 is slightly higher than in 2004/05 (£4935 against £4848).
