Follow-up report on Health and Safety Division

1. It is the practice of the IPS to conduct follow-up inspections in order to promote improvement and assess the effectiveness of recommendations and their outcomes.

2. This report details the findings of the IPS follow-up inspection of the Health and Safety Division Thematic Report, published in April 2013.

3. The first inspection of HSD followed the creation of a specialist division in 2009 to deal with health and safety cases. It comprises of specialist staff working in three geographically located teams in the North, East and West of Scotland, who work closely with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Local Authorities (LAs) and other investigating bodies such as the Air Accident Investigation Bureau.

4. The remit of the specialist division was to investigate and prosecute all health and safety cases providing advice, support and direction from the earliest stage of the investigation. The aim is to ensure that all health and safety related reports are prepared to the highest possible standard, that policy and practice in the investigation of such cases is applied consistently and that appropriate and timely decisions are taken throughout the life of these cases.

5. HSD is also involved in the preparation and conduct of Fatal Accident Inquiries (FAIs) arising from an accident in the course of employment or at a workplace which are deemed to require specialist input.

6. The aim of this follow-up review is to assess and report on the progress that has been made against our recommendations.

Methodology

• Interviews with key personnel;
• Interviews with agencies and legal representatives who have regular contact with HSD;
• Review of guidance, practices, procedures and systems, protocols and policy;
• Review of case papers.