Contractors are currently charged £124-an-hour for visits by Health and Safety Executive inspectors when they break safety laws.

And any appeals against the charges are currently heard by a committee of HSE staff.

Complaints by the industry about the current system have prompted a rethink and the HSE is now consulting about the possible introduction of an independent appeals system.

It said: “HSE is consulting on a revised and fully independent process for considering disputes in relation to FFI.

“We are consulting on the details of how the process should operate.

“In particular, we recognise the need to ensure that the process is accessible to all types and sizes of business and is proportionate to the issues involved and amount of the fees.”

Contractors have until June 2 to have their say and you can take part here