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One seventh of all Freedom of Information requests refused by Health and Safety Executive

The Health and Safety Commission/Executive (HSC/E) has refused 14% of all applications for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA) in the first two months of 2005, the CCA has learnt.

In another 15% of applications the HSE has only provided partial disclosure. It has however provided full disclosure in 34% of cases.


Figures obtained by the CCA show that the HSE had until 8 March 2005 - two days ago - dealt with and completed 842 applications for information under the Freedom of Information Act which came into existence on 1 January 2005.

These figures do not include applications dealt with and completed under the Data Protection Act (DPA) which totaled 398.

As of 8 March, there were 326 outstanding requests for information (under either the FOIA and the DPA) with which the HSE are currently dealing.

The people who are making the most applications are solicitors – 916 out of the total 1566 FOIA and DPA requests made. The general public have made 181 requests and special interest groups have made 30. Journalists have only made 23 requests, and MPs only 2. It is not known how many requests trade unions have made

To see details of all these figures, click here

The CCA is publishing these figures at the same time as it publishes a guide on its website for anyone who wants to seek information from the HSE or other body involved in safety issues.

To see new guide , click here

In addition, the CCA is launching a page in its website with details of requests that it has made, and is encouraging other people and organisations to inform the CCA of any significant information that they obtain or whether the HSE or other safety body has refused to provide information.

To access the new request page click here

Most of CCA's application for information have been successful – though a number of significant ones remain outstanding. The CCA has however been refused a copy of the legal advice that the HSE has obtained relating to public safety issues.

David Bergman, Director of the Centre for Corporate Accountability said:

“The CCA is finding the new FOIA an important tool in making enforcement bodies like the HSE more transparent. It certainly has its limits but we want to encourage people to make requests when they want information. It is extremely easy, all you have to do is phone or send an e-mail.”


The Centre for Corporate Accountability is a human rights charity advising those bereaved from work-related deaths, and working on issues of safety, law enforcement and corporate accountability.

For Further Information
Centre for Corporate Accountability 0207 490 4494
info@corporateaccountability.org.uk

 

 

 

 
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Page last updated on March 10, 2005