Great Britain’s health and safety regulator has confirmed a rise in its cost recovery hourly rates across several major regulatory regimes. The updated charges, covering Fee for Intervention (FFI), COMAH, offshore safety and more came into effect on 1st April 2026.

For businesses, this change reinforces a simple truth: strong health and safety management isn’t just about compliance, it’s about avoiding unnecessary costs, disruption and enforcement action.

At ST Safety Services Ltd, we’ve broken down what the changes mean and how organisations can stay ahead.

Why Have the Rates Increased?

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has reviewed its charging model to ensure full cost recovery for the regulatory activities it is legally required to deliver. This aligns with government policy and the financial principles set out in Managing Public Money.

Importantly, the HSE has confirmed that the approach to cost recovery has not changed it’s only the hourly rates. Fees still apply only where intervention is required due to material breaches or where regulation mandates ongoing oversight.

Headline Changes to HSE Cost Recovery Rates

The new hourly rates apply to all interventions from 1st April 2026 onwards (with no retrospective charging for work spanning the implementation date).

Key increases include:

• Fee for Intervention: £183 → £188
• COMAH (Control of Major Accident Hazards): £212 → £218
• Offshore safety: £322 → £332
• Gas Safety (Management) Regulations 1996: £173 → £178
• Oil, gas and chemical pipelines: £173 → £178
• Onshore oil, gas and geothermal operations: £204 → £210
• Wind and marine energy (renewables): £246 → £253
• Explosives regulation: £145 → £149
• Ionising radiation consents: £227 → £234
• Carriage of dangerous goods: £75 → £77

While some increases may appear modest, the cumulative impact during an investigation or regulatory intervention can be significant.

What This Means for Businesses

The message from the HSE is clear that businesses that effectively manage risk will avoid these costs entirely.

Under the cost recovery model, duty-holders pay only when:

• A material breach is identified
• HSE inspectors must intervene
• Ongoing regulatory oversight is required due to the nature of the activity

For many organisations, especially SMEs, even a short intervention can result in substantial charges. This makes proactive compliance more important than ever.

How ST Safety Services Ltd Can Help You Stay Ahead

With rising regulatory costs, prevention becomes even more valuable. Our consultants support businesses across all sectors to:

• Strengthen compliance and reduce the likelihood of enforcement
• Conduct thorough audits and inspections before the HSE arrives
• Improve documentation, risk assessments and safe systems of work
• Provide competent person support tailored to your operations
• Deliver training that helps staff understand and manage risk effectively

Whether you operate in manufacturing, construction, logistics, energy, or office environments, we help you build a safety culture that protects people and your bottom line.

A Practical Takeaway

The best way to avoid HSE charges is simple, don’t give them a reason to intervene. With the right systems, training and support, most enforcement and the associated costs can be prevented.

If you’d like help reviewing your current arrangements or preparing for the year ahead, ST Safety Services Ltd is here to support you Contact Us.