IDG64250 - Procedure for disclosing to others (government): Health and Safety Executive (including Health and Safety Commission): General

Why share information with the HSE?

The HSE is responsible for the regulation of almost all the risks to health and safety arising from work activity in Great Britain. The HSE is accountable to the Health and Safety Commission. The HSE website can be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/.

Together these bodies are responsible to the Security of State for Work and Pensions (DWP). However the procedure for disclosing to the HSE differs from the procedure for disclosing to the DWP.

Ensuring information is shared lawfully

All disclosures of HMRC information must be lawful. Please see IDG40500 for more information on lawful disclosure as provided by the CRCA.

To be lawful, HMRC may only share information with the HSE through a legal gateway. See IDG44000 for general information about what a legal gateway is. The appropriate legal gateway to use is listed under each type of disclosure to the HSE at IDG64270 to IDG64370.

You must also ensure when passing information to the HSE that you follow the agreed procedure for disclosures. Details are listed under each type of disclosure to HSE, being:

IDG64270HSE request Customs information about seized goods
IDG64290HSE or HSC request information citing section 20 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, section 48(1) HSWA 1974, or not citing any legislation
IDG64310HSE request information about National Insurance Contributions, Statutory Sick Pay, Statutory Maternity Pay, Statutory Paternity Pay or Statutory Adoption Pay
IDG64350HSE request information citing Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act 2001
IDG64370HSE request information citing section 29 (or 35) Data Protection Act 1998