VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Infosheet 16. The role of inspectors WorkSafe inspectors are responsible for enforcing health and safety legislation (Acts and Regulations). They have wide-ranging powers to help them fulfil their functions. Inspectors have powers to: • Enter, inspect and examine workplaces • Conduct investigations and enquiries • Take samples, photographs, records and measurements • Take possession of materials • Ask that the workplace be left undisturbed • Interview anyone at the workplace • Ask for assistance from anyone at the workplace.
Inspectors have to avoid unduly or unreasonably interfering with the work being carried out in any workplace. Inspectors may issue written directions called Improvement Notices and Prohibition Notices.
Improvement and Prohibition Notices An Improvement Notice is a written direction requiring a person to fix a health and safety problem in a workplace. The Notice will state the part of the Act or Regulations covering the offence and will set a date by which the improvement must be completed.
A Prohibition Notice is a written direction that prohibits, at once, any activity where the inspector thinks someone may be at risk of serious harm.
The inspector will remain at the workplace until the employer has been told about the Notice and the activity has stopped.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1 Â
Improvement and Prohibition Notices give reasons explaining why they been issued and may set out specific actions which must be taken to fix the problem.
The employer must display the Improvement or Prohibition Notice in a place where it can be easily seen, at or near any work area affected by the Notice, until the requirements of the Notice have been met.
A person who has been issued a Notice, or that person's employer, can ask for a review of the Notice if they disagree with the inspector's opinion. Such appeals must be made in writing, within seven days of receiving the Notice.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1 Â
Worksheet Word Sleuth TASK: Find these words in the grid below. Prohibition
Investigate
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Appeal
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1
Sentence Match Task: Pair the sentence fragments.
1. WorkSafe inspectors are responsible for ...
... official identification.
2. It’s a serious offence for anyone to ...
... why they have been issued and may set out specific actions which must be taken to fix the problem.
3. Inspectors have to avoid ...
... any activity where the Inspector thinks someone may be at risk of serious harm.
4. A Prohibition Notice is a written direction that prohibits ...
... refuse access to a WorkSafe Inspector.
5. All WorkSafe Inspectors carry ...
... where it can be easily seen, at or near any work area affected, until the action it requires has been taken.
6. Improvement and Prohibition Notices give reasons explaining ...
... unduly or unreasonably interfering with the work being carried out in any workplace.
7. In the course of an inspection, an Inspector may ...
... enforcing health and safety legislation (Acts and Regulations).
8. An Improvement or Prohibition Notice must be displayed ...
... take photos, samples and measurements in the workplace.
Short Answer Exercise Using the ‘Infosheet’ and the links below, Complete the Short Answer exercise on health & safety reps & committees. http://www.worksafe.vic.gov.au/safety-and-prevention/workplace-inspections
1. When does an Inspector have the power to enter a workplace?
2. List three other powers that WorkSafe Inspectors have.
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VCAL WORK RELATED SKILLS - SENIOR - Unit 1 Â
3. What is an Improvement Notice?
4. What is a Prohibition Notice?
5. What sort of things will Improvement and Prohibition Notices include?
6. Apart from issuing a Notice, what other action might an Inspector take if there is an immediate risk to anyone’s health or safety?
7. Who can accompany a WorkSafe Inspector while they are inspecting a workplace?
8. What can happen if a workplace refuses access to an Inspector?
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