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HSE Fee for Intervention (FFI)

Understand the Risk. Protect Your Business.

The HSE’s Fee for Intervention (FFI) is not a fine—it’s a cost-recovery scheme designed to charge businesses for failing to comply with Health & Safety regulations. But for businesses without proper protocols in place, it can be a huge financial burden. SVC Safety Solutions can help you avoid these unexpected costs by ensuring your business is fully compliant with UK Health & Safety legislation.

What Is the HSE Fee for Intervention?

The Fee for Intervention was introduced in 2012 as a way for the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to recover costs when they identify a breach of regulations.

 

From the moment a breach—known as a material breach—is identified, you’ll be charged for:

  • The inspector’s time on-site.

  • Collecting evidence and writing reports.

  • Issuing notices and follow-up investigations.

  • Conversations with employees and reviewing documentation.

What is a material breach?
A material breach is a serious Health & Safety issue that requires the HSE to take enforcement action, such as issuing an improvement notice, prohibition notice, or formal written correspondence.

The Clock Starts Immediately
FFI charges start as soon as the breach is identified, and at an hourly rate of £174 + VAT, the costs quickly escalate. With no upper limit, you could face a bill of thousands of pounds.

Warehouse Shelves from Above

Construction

Image by Richard Bell

Offices, factories & warehouses

Gym

Agriculture and farming

Image by Christelle BOURGEOIS

Laboratories & research centres

Image by Dom Fou

Schools and education settings

Who Is Affected by FFI?

The Fee for Intervention applies to any business inspected by the HSE, including those in:

What Could FFI Cost Your Business?

HSE charges are based on all time spent dealing with your case, both on-site and off-site. This includes the initial inspection, evidence collection, report writing, and follow-up actions.

There’s no maximum cap.

A single visit could lead to a bill of thousands—or even tens of thousands—of pounds depending on the complexity of the case.

Online Warehouse Workers

How to Avoid FFI Costs

While there’s no way to “evade” FFI fees once a breach is identified, you can take proactive steps to ensure your business complies with UK Health & Safety laws and avoid breaches altogether.

✅ Appoint a Competent Health & Safety Person. Ensure your business has a qualified, experienced professional overseeing compliance.

✅ Implement a Tailored Health & Safety Management System. Generic policies won’t cut it. You need bespoke systems that reflect the specific risks of your business.

✅ Conduct Regular Audits. An outdated or untested system is as bad as having none at all.

✅Engage Senior Leadership. Demonstrate that management takes Health & Safety seriously by championing a culture of compliance.

Builders in Hard Hats

Why Being Proactive Matters

Waiting until the HSE arrives can leave your business exposed to:
🚨 Unannounced inspections that highlight unknown risks.
🚨 Expensive penalties and escalating FFI fees.
🚨 Damage to your reputation and employee trust.

By taking action now, you can avoid these risks and create a safer workplace that protects both your team and your bottom line.

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Why Choose SVC Safety Solutions?

Your Partner in Compliance

When it comes to avoiding FFI costs, you need a partner who understands the HSE’s exacting standards. Here’s why businesses trust SVC Safety Solutions:

Expert Guidance: NEBOSH-qualified and IOSH-certified consultants with real-world experience.

Tailored Support: We don’t use generic templates—we create Health & Safety systems that match your business’s needs.

Proactive Management: Stay ahead of inspections with audits, risk assessments, and ongoing support.

✅ Comprehensive Services: From Competent Person support to fire risk assessments, we cover every aspect of workplace safety.

Common FFI Mistakes We Help You Avoid

At SVC, we’ve seen businesses make the same costly errors over and over again:

🚨 Using generic policies that don’t reflect real workplace risks.
🚨 Failing to audit systems, leaving gaps that inspectors quickly uncover.
🚨 Reacting too late, only taking action after an incident or inspection.

 

Don’t let these mistakes put your business at risk. We’ll help you identify gaps, fix issues, and create a proactive strategy to ensure compliance.

Explore Related Services

Avoiding FFI is just one part of a successful Health & Safety strategy.

✅ Health & Safety Audits: Regular reviews to identify and address potential risks.
✅ Competent Person Support: Ongoing advice from qualified consultants.
✅ Risk Assessments: Identify hazards and implement controls.
✅ Health & Safety Training: Equip your team with the knowledge to work safely.

Don’t Let FFI Catch You Off Guard

With SVC Safety Solutions, you’ll gain the peace of mind that comes with knowing your business is compliant, prepared, and protected.

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