Enforcement policy

Principles governing HSE regulatory and enforcement decisions.

HSE response should be proportionate to the risk, evidence, seriousness, history and legal authority available. Advice, clarification, written findings and administrative corrective action may be appropriate without asserting a statutory power.

Where HSE proposes statutory enforcement, the decision record must identify the competent legal authority, applicable legal provision and authorised inspector or decision-maker. HSE will not present a recommendation or voluntary improvement request as a statutory notice.

Published enforcement information is placed on the public register only after publication review. A private inspection finding is not automatically a public notice. Records under a pending appeal are withheld from the public register until the publication position is resolved.