Posted By John C
Curious...

I have seen two types of enforcement notice numbering on the HSE website. Examples:

C1342 & F230008380

Clearly very different in format, both examples were immedate notices, so why the difference in format?

Posted By Robert Tailby
I used to be an Inspector (left HSE 6 years ago) but am pretty sure the answer is as follows:

The numbers starting F and C are serial numbers generated by the HSE computer system (FOCUS). The number is generated when the Notice is input to the system and from where it eventually finds its way to the public Web database that we can all read. I am pretty sure that the F is for Field Operations Directorate (the general Inspectorate), and I guess the C is probably for what I used to call CHID - Chemicals and Hazardous Installations Division/Directorate ie the single letter prefix indicates which bit of the HSE Inspectorate issued the Notice. The numbers are otherwise pretty much sequential, although it used to be that the first two digits were the Area number for the HSE office where the Inspector was based - not sure if this holds true after the last Regional re-organisation a couple of years ago.

As to the other format mentioned in the other response, if an Inspector is issuing an "on the spot" notice they make up a unique serial number there and then which usually includes the date and either PN or IN depending what sort of Notice it is. This number is only a unique identifier for legal purposes and never makes it onto FOCUS.

Does this count as HSE trivia, and if so how sad am I?