161Power to require answers and assistance

161 Power to require answers and assistance (1) At a place being inspected under this Act, an inspector may: (a) require a person at the place to answer reasonable questions related to the inspection; and (b) require a person at the place who has custody of, or access to, a thing to produce the thing; and (c) require a person at the place to give the inspector any other reasonable assistance the inspector requires. (2) A requirement under subsection (1)(b) must be made by written notice that specifies the person, place and period for production, unless the circumstances require the inspector to have immediate access to the document. (3) An inspector must ask questions under this section in private if, before or during the questioning: (a) the inspector considers it appropriate; or (b) the person being questioned so requests. (4) Subsection (3) does not prevent a representative of the person being interviewed from being present during the questioning. (5) A person referred to in subsection (1) must comply with the inspector's requirements.

Electrical Safety Act 2022 90 (6) A person commits an offence if the person fails to comply with an inspector's requirements under subsection (1). (7) An offence against subsection (6) is an offence of strict liability. Note for section 161 See section 163 in relation to self-incrimination and section 244 in relation to client legal privilege.