What happens during an inspection?
- On entering a workplace an inspector will notify the employer (or the most senior management person at the site).
- The employer must then notify any elected workplace health and safety representatives in the workplace.
- The inspector will take all reasonable steps to notify the health and safety representative (if any) on arrival, and to ascertain any relevant information.
- The representative will also be informed of the outcome of the visit.
All inspectors carry an identity card, and before exercising a power in relation to a person will show the card for the person's inspection. The inspector can also provide a business card with their contact details on it.
Depending on the circumstances, the inspector may give advice, conduct an investigation or take enforcement action.
While conducting the investigation the inspector may:
- observe or search any part of a place (e.g. observe the use of a machine; observe the work processes);
- take measurements
- take photographs or video footage of anything at the place
- take samples of things (e.g. samples of substances used at the workplace)
- conduct tests (for example, test for the presence of lead in paint)
- obtain copies of documents (e.g. training records, employee records, manufacturers instructions etc.)
- talk to managers, supervisors, workers and other people (e.g. take a statement from a worker who has witnessed an incident)
- seize a thing (e.g. seize a defective power tool involved in an incident)
- ask for assistance in exercising powers
While conducting enforcement action the inspector may:
- provide general advice on workplace health and safety
- give verbal directions
- issue improvement notices, prohibition notices, dangerous goods directives, electrical safety protection notices, or on-the-spot fines (infringement notices)
- exercise any authorised powers
- cancel or suspend licenses, approvals, certifications and authorisations
In conducting a visit, inspectors may take with them other persons who are not inspectors, including technical experts, interpreters or police officers.
In order to deliver high quality, professional service, inspectors are expected to:
- treat obligation holders and other people with respect, dignity and sensitivity in all circumstances;
- deal with obligation holders and other people in a timely and efficient manner
- be professional and consistent in all of their dealings
- show no favour or discrimination
- conduct their activities according to the guidelines of the Department of Employment and Industrial Relations Code of Conduct
Last updated October 18, 2006
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