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Embargoed,
12.00 pm, 15 February 2000
Select
Committee's Publishes Final Report
In
its report the Committee:
-
was "disappointed" at the "low levels
or investigation and prosecution that are undertaken
by the HSE" [Para 29]
-
was concerned that "decisions" about which
"injuries should be investigated … have
been unduly dictated by availability of resources"
[Para 35]
-
proposed that "certain categories of very serious
injuries should automatically trigger an investigation".
[Para 35]
-
stated that "penalties should be related to
a) the seriousness of the injury and b) to companies'
turnover/profit." [Para 46]
- concluded
that "fines and costs awarded against defendants
for health and safety offences" go directly
to the HSE.
- did
not propose that the government increase funding
to the HSE. At present the HSE has a third of the
budget of the Environment Agency - £180 million
compared to £580 million (1998/99).
- proposed
that there should be a 3% increase in the rate of
investigation of reported injuries. This will still
mean that only 14% of major injuries would be investigated
rather than 11%. Last year the Environment Agency
received reports of 28,670 pollution incidents -
and investigated every single one.
- did
not urge the HSE to have an "evidence"
based prosecution policy.
- did
not mention the need for clear and legal safety
duties to be placed upon company directors
Link to Select
Committee Documents
Notes to Editors:
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