What are the levels of fines for breaches of health and safety law?
Magistrates Courts (or Sheriff’s Courts in Scotland), on summary conviction fines of up to 20,000, for breaches of the ‘General Duties’ that is sections 2 to 6 of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and 5,000 for breaches under any of the other statutory provisions. Offences tried on indictment (Solemn Procedure in Scotland) in the Crown Court (or Sheriff’s court in Scotland) may attract unlimited fines and can result in imprisonment. Contravention of an Improvement Notice or Prohibition Notice, or of a remedy order made by the court, may lead, on summary conviction to a maximum 20,000 fine and/or6 months imprisonment. On indictment the maximum penalty is two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine.
