Safety fines cost UK firms £57m

Corporate fines for health and safety breaches have jumped during the past year, new research shows.

A report from Thomson Reuters legal business said the number of UK companies receiving fines for breaching health and safety procedures hit £57.3 million last year, a rise of 18 per cent.

The average pay out for health and safety fines also increased by a significant 34 per cent to £311,343, up from £232,451 in 2016.

Experts believe fines are on the rise as part of efforts to get health and safety recognised as an issue to be dealt with at board level. Tougher guidelines introduced in early 2016 now focus heavily on issues such as the level of management culpability and take into account the profitability of the relevant company.

Morag Rea, head of business crime and investigations, said: “Fines for health and safety breaches continue to rise con- siderably, as companies are held increasingly accountable for failing to adhere to standards.”

“The rise in the value of fines shows the significant financial costs for businesses if health and safety regulations are breached – the rise comes as part of attempts to get the issue on the board level agenda. The top tiers of management at businesses could be forced to take into account that breach of health and safety regulations can be a very costly mistake.”