RR519 - Evaluation of EPS and enforcement action

This report provides a summary of the first and second phases of a study that researched how enforcement influences duty holders and evaluated the Enforcement Policy Statement (EPS). The first phase included a literature review, exploratory discussions with stakeholders and a survey of inspectors and duty holders. The survey of duty holders includes those that have been subject to improvement notices, prohibition notices and prosecution. The results outline if, how and some of the reasons why, enforcement impacts duty holders' health and safety management. It also examines evidence about how hearing of enforcement action or incidents in other organisations influences duty holders, and summarises respondents' view of potential improvements. The second phase of work involved a further literature review, exploratory discussions with workers, employers and inspectors, worker focus groups and discussions with victims' representatives. The report concludes by drawing out the implications for the EPS (and one of its tools – the enforcement management model (EMM)).

Two supplementary reports provide appendices covering in detail each of the Phase 1 and 2 pieces of work.

This report and the work it describes were funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Its contents, including any opinions and/or conclusions expressed, are those of the authors alone and do not necessarily reflect HSE policy.

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