What significant change did the introduction of FFI bring to HSE?

The introduction of the Fee for Intervention (FFI) model significantly redefined the role of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) by establishing it as an enforcement body rather than primarily an advisory one. This change meant that the HSE would charge organizations for the time spent addressing health and safety breaches. The focus shifted to ensuring compliance and enforcing health and safety laws, thereby emphasizing the accountability of organizations.

Under the FFI framework, if an HSE inspector identifies a failure to comply with health and safety legislation during an inspection, the organization is liable for the costs incurred by the HSE in dealing with those breaches. This mechanism encourages organizations to prioritize safety to avoid incurring charges, thus reinforcing the HSE's function as an enforcer of regulations rather than simply an advisor to businesses regarding best practices.

This shift in focus not only enhances accountability but also places a stronger emphasis on proactive safety management within organizations, driving them to take health and safety matters seriously, knowing that non-compliance could result in financial repercussions.