HSE Investigations

In addition, we have notable involvement in HSE investigations and prosecutions in relation to the police, local councils and the military.

A business can find themselves under HSE investigation for many reasons, including avoidable injury or accidents in the workplace, or in the event of continued employee ill health.

In 2008/09:

• 14,427 health & safety enforcement notices were issued by the HSE or local authorities
• 78% of prosecutions completed by the HSE resulted in conviction
• Those companies convicted received fines totalling  £12.4 million at an average of £20,606 per case

All figures available on the HSE website

Our solicitors have experience in all aspects of HSE enforcement, including:

• Inspection
• Investigation
• Complaints
• Enforcement decisions
• Serving of notices
• Prosecutions
• Major incidents
• Work-related deaths
• Corporate manslaughter

In most health and safety cases, prevention is as much the issue as cure in mitigating the effects of or avoiding altogether an HSE investigation.

What we can do if you find yourself under HSE investigation

Our health and safety lawyers can help you before, during and after an investigation:

• Before:
  • Bespoke training and workshops for management and staff
  • Internal audit on current health and safety policies and procedures and advice on required updates or revisions
  • Advice and training on implementing an incident response plan
• During:
  • Incident response
  • Advice on mitigating legal ramifications
  • Representation during investigation and any interviews
  • In conjunction with our Media, Libel & Privacy team, advice on mitigating any reputational damage
• After:
  • Advice and representation in the event of any prosecution
  • Advice on avoiding a repeat incident

HSE investigations can be complex and it can take time for a business to get up and running again. We understand the impact health and safety has on your business, and the long term damage that can be caused by an incident.

What our expert health & safety lawyers have done for others

Some recent notable cases we have been involved in:

• International engineering company: we successfully represented an international engineering company in an HSE investigation in relation to a serious accident to an employee as a result of a lift failure. The careful management of the investigation resulted in the HSE concluding that prosecution of the company or individuals was not a necessary step.
• Scaffolding companies: our experienced health and safety lawyers represent several scaffolding companies and employees in relation to falls from height in building sites.
• Port Talbot: we represented individuals following the explosion at Port Talbot
• Hatfield derailment: our team represented individuals at the Hatfield derailment in which our client was acquitted of offences relating to corporate manslaughter and health and safety.

Contact our HSE investigations solicitors

If you would like to speak to our specialists please call 0800 916 9054 or e-mail enquiries@rjw.co.uk.

We have offices nationwide.