Safety Newsletter No: 82 - HSE sharpens focus: Ill-Health, RIDDOR Reform and their Fees

Rosalie Collins
Oct 7
3 min read

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has set out its priorities for the year ahead – and there are some major changes on the horizon that UK SMEs need to prepare for. From tackling work-related ill health to streamlining RIDDOR reporting. The HSE is also supporting the transition of the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) away from the HSE, and proposing to create smarter and proportionate enforcement.

In its recent HSE AGM, these are the key areas of focus.

1. Tackling Work-Related Ill Health

Focus areas: stress, mental health, asbestos, noise, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), and hazardous dust.
Inspections rising: HSE is prioritising targeted inspections to ensure compliance with health surveillance requirements.
Why it matters: Work-related ill health cost society £1.4bn in 2022-23, with over half a million workers affected by MSDs.

For SME employers this means:

Review your stress management measures. The HSE provides a range of research-based guidance on their website.
Ensure health surveillance is in place where legally required e.g. noise, asbestos, silica dust.
Revisit risk assessments for MSDs, especially manual handling.

2. RIDDOR Reform on the Horizon

The HSE is reviewing reporting definitions and processes to make compliance easier while maintaining protection.
Not included (for now): violence in the workplace and road transport fatalities – though a consultation on workplace violence is expected soon.

For SME employers this means:

Expect a simplified reporting process in the future.
Stay alert for the violence in the workplace consultation – this could impact reporting duties.

3. Fee for Intervention (FFI) Under Review

The HSE’s controversial cost recovery scheme will be reassessed to ensure it remains “fair and proportionate.”

For SME employers this means:

Maintain strong compliance to avoid costly interventions.
Watch for announcements on potential changes to the scheme.

4. Spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI)

HSE is building a database of AI use in industry to guide future risk assessment.
AI is already helping HSE inspectors identify mismatches between reported hazards and inspection focus.

For SME employers this means:

If your workplace is adopting AI-driven processes, prepare for future AI-specific safety benchmarks.

5. Building Safety Regulator (BSR) – Transition Underway

The BSR is moving towards independence from the HSE.
Currently, 70% of building control applications are being rejected for poor or incomplete submissions.

For SME employers (construction & property) this means:

Ensure building control applications are thorough, detailed, and compliant.
Expect greater scrutiny and longer decision times until systems are streamlined.

HSE Performance Highlights (2024–25)

The HSE have also reported the following statistics regarding their last year’s activity:

13,200+ inspections (7,000+ targeting work-related ill health).
4,400+ enforcement notices issued.
200+ prosecutions with a 96% conviction rate.
86% of fatal investigations completed within 12 months.
700+ asbestos inspections and 2,000+ health surveillance checks.
3,000+ MSD risk assessments completed.

Consequently issues that SME employers should consider as a consequence

Audit your health risk controls: stress, MSDs, noise, dust, asbestos.
Check health surveillance compliance – HSE is actively inspecting.
Prepare for RIDDOR changes – keep reporting accurate and up to date.
Stay proactive with applications if involved in construction/building safety.
Keep watch on FFI review – but prevention is always cheaper than intervention.

Summary

The HSE’s message is clear: evidence-based health and safety management protects both people and productivity. For SMEs, the challenge is staying compliant without getting overwhelmed. Focus on the basics, use available HSE guidance, and get ahead of upcoming reforms.

Your Consultant will be pleased to advise you on any element of the issues arising from this newsletter.