The Health and Safety Executives Offences and Penalties Report for 2001/02 shows that the number of companies, organisations and individuals successfully convicted of health and safety offences reached nearly 900 during that period.
More than 84% of the 1,064 for cases resulted in successful conviction, while the average fine rose by a staggering 39 per cent from £8,790 in 2000/01 to £12,194 in 2001/02. The main reason for this increase is a mainly due to a marked increase in penalties handed down by the higher courts, where fines are unlimited. The figure for the fines handed out by the lower courts is almost unchanged.
The biggest upswing in fines concerned the construction (up 62%), manufacturing (up 47%) and mining and quarrying (up 20%) industries. The full report is available by visiting the HSE website at www.hse.gov.uk while full details of convictions can be found at www.hse-databases.co.uk/prosecutions . The chairman of the HSC said "Health and safety offences are serious crimes. While I would prefer not to see incidents and injuries happen in the first place, I am very encouraged to see that the average level of fines rose by nearly 40 per cent. This sends out a strong message to the minority of employers who do not take their health and safety responsibilities seriously. In general, fines for health and safety offences have been too low in the past. It is of course for the courts to decide what penalties should be imposed, but I very much hope that this is the start of an upward trend, rather than a one off".