HSE Visit After a Workplace Accident – What Directors Need to Know
A visit from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Local Authority Environmental Health Officer (EHO), or Fire Safety Officer almost always follows a workplace accident, injury, or dangerous occurrence.
For directors, this is a critical moment.
The accident itself may already be under control, but what happens next can determine whether the situation escalates into enforcement action, Fee for Intervention (FFI), civil claims, or long-term reputational damage.
Handled well, post-accident engagement with enforcement authorities can remain proportionate and contained. Handled poorly, it can quickly spiral.
This article explains what directors should expect after an accident, what is expected of you, when insurers must be notified, and how TIPS Consultancy Ltd supports businesses through this high-risk period.
What Is Expected of You After an Accident?
When enforcement authorities attend following an accident, their focus is clear: what happened, how it happened, and why it happened.
Directors should expect the following standards to apply immediately:
Professional, Courteous Engagement
Everyone involved should be polite, cooperative and attentive.
Full Cooperation with the Enforcing Officer
Requested information should be provided accurately and without delay.
Meeting Deadlines
Any timescales imposed must be met.
Immediate Risk Control
Even if long-term fixes are still being planned, safe working must be achieved straight away.
Best Practice Following an Accident
Always respond to enforcement queries within 48 hours, even if only to confirm what information you have and when the remainder will follow.
Avoid the Post-Accident Overreaction
After an accident, many businesses panic and send large volumes of documentation “just in case”.
This can be counterproductive.
Providing unnecessary or unrelated information can:
Trigger HSE Fee for Intervention (FFI) charges (currently £183 per hour)
Create new lines of enquiry unrelated to the accident
Increase scrutiny beyond the original incident
After an accident, focused, relevant and well-structured information is essential.
What Should You Expect During a Post-Accident Investigation?
Upon arrival, enforcement officers will identify themselves using a warrant or ID card. Their next steps will be aimed at understanding the accident and deciding whether further investigation or enforcement action is required.
Following an accident, they may request:
Information About the Injured Person(s)
Personal contact details
Recorded statements
Details of injuries (to assess RIDDOR thresholds)
Length of service and experience
A Clear Account of the Accident
Often in the form of an investigation report (started or completed):
What task was being undertaken?
Who was involved?
What equipment or machinery was being used?
What went wrong?
Were there contributing factors (guarding, distraction, environment, etc.)?
Evidence of Controls in Place Before the Accident
This may include:
Health & safety policy and arrangements
Risk assessments
Safe Systems of Work (SSoW)
Method statements
Training records
Evidence of PPE
- Audits or inspection to confirm effective monitoring arrangements
Visual and Real-Time Evidence (If Available)
- The condition of machinery at the time
The surrounding area
Identifiable hazards
Damage and how it occurred
Post-Accident Actions and Learning
Crucially, enforcement authorities want to see learning and control following the accident, such as:
Improved guarding or engineering controls
Training, retraining or refresher training
Revised risk assessments and SSoW
Increased supervision
Maintenance improvements
Temporary suspension of equipment
Safety briefings to employees and contractors
Disciplinary measures where appropriate
Key message for directors:
After an accident, enforcement authorities are not expecting perfection — they are assessing whether risks were managed so far as reasonably practicable and whether learning is taking place.
When Should Insurers Be Notified After an Accident?
Immediately.
Any significant accident with injury, potential injury, or enforcement involvement should be notified to insurers at the earliest opportunity.
Why Prompt Notification Matters After an Accident
Maintaining policy cover
Most policies contain strict “notification of circumstances” clauses. Late notification is a common reason for refused or limited cover.Preserving evidence
Insurers may need to deploy investigators quickly before conditions change.Protecting your legal position
Early involvement allows insurers to manage liability and regulatory risk.Support during HSE investigations
Insurers can appoint solicitors and provide guidance throughout enforcement proceedings.
Notify Insurers Immediately After:
Any RIDDOR-reportable accident
Any dangerous occurrence or serious near miss
Significant property damage or equipment failure
Any incident involving vehicles, lifting equipment, fire or environmental release
Were there contributing factors (guarding, distraction, environment, etc.)?
If in Doubt — Notify
Never admit liability or make commitments without insurer advice, and forward all HSE correspondence to insurers without delay.
How TIPS Consultancy Ltd Supports You After an Accident
This is where TIPS Consultancy Ltd provides real value.
We support directors after accidents have occurred, when enforcement scrutiny is highest and decisions matter most.
Post-Accident Enforcement Support
Helping structure and review responses to HSE or Local Authority requests
Supporting incident investigations and factual reporting
Risk Control and Improvement
Reviewing risk assessments, SSoW and controls linked to the accident
Advising on immediate risk controls and longer-term improvements
Ongoing Competent Person Support
For small and medium-sized businesses, best practice as a minimum is to have access to competent health & safety support that provides:
Formal appointment of a competent person to meet legal duties under health & safety legislation
At least one site visit per year by a competent consultant to carry out a structured health & safety audit
Email and telephone support throughout the year to help maintain health & safety arrangements, respond to issues, and manage change
This approach helps directors demonstrate ongoing compliance, maintain suitable and sufficient arrangements, and clearly shows the HSE that the business is proactive in identifying issues, making real improvements, and preventing recurrence.
Final Thought for Directors
An accident at work is serious – but it does not automatically mean enforcement action, prosecution or long-term damage.
What matters is how you respond after the accident.
With the right advice, structure and professional support, most post-accident investigations can be stabilised, managed and closed without escalation.
If you’ve had an accident and a visit from the HSE, or want reassurance that your arrangements would stand up to scrutiny: TIPS Consultancy Ltd is here to help.