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Work Health and Safety Act 2011
118Rights that may be exercised while at workplace
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118 Rights that may be exercised while at workplace
(1) While at the workplace under this division, the WHS entry
permit-holder may do 1 or more of the following in relation to the
suspected contravention of this Act:
(a) inspect any work system, plant, substance, structure or other
thing relevant to the suspected contravention;
(b) consult with the relevant workers in relation to the suspected
contravention;
(c) consult with the relevant person conducting a business or
undertaking about the suspected contravention;
(d) require the relevant person conducting a business or undertaking
to allow the WHS entry permit-holder to inspect, and make
copies of, any document that is directly relevant to the suspected
contravention and that—
(i) is kept at the workplace; or
(ii) is accessible from a computer that is kept at the workplace;
(da) take photographs, films, or audio, video or other recordings
relevant to the suspected contravention;
(e) warn any person whom the WHS entry permit-holder reasonably
believes to be exposed to a serious risk to his or her health or
safety emanating from an immediate or imminent exposure to a
hazard, of that risk.
(2) However, if it would result in a contravention of a law of the
Commonwealth or a law of a State—
(a) the relevant person is not required, under subsection (1) (d), to
allow the WHS entry permit-holder to inspect or make copies of
a document; and
(b) the WHS entry permit-holder must not, under
subsection (1) (da), take photographs, films, or audio, video
or other recordings.
Note State includes the Northern Territory (see Legislation Act, dict, pt 1).
(3) A relevant person conducting a business or undertaking must not,
without reasonable excuse, refuse or fail to comply with a
requirement under subsection (1) (d).
(4) Subsection (3) places an evidential burden on the defendant to show
Entry to inquire into suspected contraventions Division 7.2
(5) If, in the course of inquiring into a suspected contravention of this
Act, the WHS entry permit-holder reasonably suspects that another
contravention of this Act has occurred, the WHS entry permit-holder
may exercise a right mentioned in subsection (1) in relation to the
other contravention.
Note 1 Evidential burden—see the Criminal Code, s 58.
Note 2 At least 24 hours notice is required for an entry to a workplace to inspect
employee records or other documents held by someone other than a
person conducting a business or undertaking (see s 120).
Note 3 The use or disclosure of personal information obtained under this section
is regulated under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cwlth).