Penalties for Health & Safety Offences
Penalties for some helath and safety offences can be severe and the following table sets out the position as far as offences committed after January 2009 are concerned ;
| Section and Contravention | Magistrates’ court | Crown Court |
|---|---|---|
| S.33(1)(a) - S2 – S6 | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment* | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(a) – S7 | £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(b) – S8 | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(b) – S9 | £20,000 | Unlimited fine |
| S.33(1)(c) – any H & S regulations | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(d) – relating to S14 enquiries | £5,000 (Level 5) | Summary only |
| S.33(1)(e) – any requirement imposed by Inspector under S20 & S25 | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(f) – attempting to / preventing a person speaking to Inspector | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(g) – contravention of a PN or IN | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(h) - obstruction | £5,000 (Level 5) and/or 6 months imprisonment ** | Summary only |
| S.33(1)(i) – relating to S27 | £5,000 | Unlimited fine |
| S.33(1)(j) – disclosure in contravention to S28 and S27(4) | £5,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(k) – false statement | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(l) – false entry in register | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(m) – use a document with intent to deceive | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)(n) – impersonating an inspector | £5,000 (Level 5) | Summary only |
| S.33(1)(o) – S42 orders | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
| S.33(1)Any other offence under existing statutory provisions | £20,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment * | Unlimited fine and/or 2 years imprisonment |
