HSENI welcomes Criminal Justice Inspection report
Date published:
The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) has welcomed the findings of a new report by the Criminal Justice Inspectorate Northern Ireland (CJI), which commended the quality of their criminal investigations.
In 2023-24, HSENI saw the prosecution of 18 defendants with fines totaling almost £600,000, and three individuals receiving suspended custodial sentences for breaching health and safety regulations.
Catherine Irwin, Chair of HSENI Board, said the findings will strengthen public and stakeholder confidence in HSENI’s investigative and enforcement work.
“As the lead authority on workplace health and safety, HSENI plays a key role in enforcing legal standards and holding employers to account when safety legislation is breached.
“So we welcome the overall findings of the CJI inspection as well as the recognition it paid to the professional staff within our Major Investigation Team (MIT), describing the quality of case files they processed to be of the highest standard,” she said.
“These specialist and dedicated inspectors are responsible for investigating some of the most serious workplace incidents across Northern Ireland, including fatalities. Their investigative work seeks to ensure that duty holders are held to account by bringing alleged offenders before the courts, working alongside the Public Prosecution Service throughout the process.
“I have no doubt that these findings will further enhance confidence in how HSENI approaches the investigation of cases and the strategies and polices which are in place to guide our decisions,” Catherine added.
The CJI report also reviewed the standard of investigations and prosecutions carried out by the Benefit Security Division and Child Maintenance Service in the Department for Communities, Veterinary Service Animal Health in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Tourism NI, and the Northern Ireland Trading Standards Service in the Department for the Economy.
HSENI Chief Executive, Robert Kidd said all recommendations presented by the report have been taken on board by HSENI to identify opportunities for continual improvement and to ensure the ongoing provision of a high standard of criminal case processing by HSENI.
“HSENI is looking forward to working with the other five organisations CJI inspected, as well as the Public Prosecution Service, to implement the recommendations including the digitisation of criminal case files.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank partner organisations that work closely with HSENI including prosecutors in the Public Prosecution Services Fraud & Departmental Section to build robust prosecution cases. As well as the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) when carrying out joint investigations where Corporate or Gross Negligence Manslaughter offences are suspected,” he added.
Notes to editors :
- HSENI is the lead body responsible for the promotion and enforcement of health and safety at work standards in Northern Ireland. HSENI’s mission is to reduce work-related injuries and ill health and using enforcement powers, including prosecution, is vital to ensure legal compliance and accountability.
The CJI report, published on 11 June 2025, can be found at: https://www.cjini.org/reports/non-psni-investigations-of-offences-and-criminal-cases/
For media enquiries please contact: HSENI Press Office on 028 9024 3249 or email media@hseni.gov.uk. For out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.