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Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) 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 all or any 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
(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.
Work Health and Safety (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2011 74
(2) However, the relevant person conducting the business or
undertaking is not required under subsection (1)(d) to allow the
WHS entry permit holder to inspect or make copies of a document if
to do so would contravene a law of the Commonwealth or a law of a
State.
(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 a reasonable excuse.
Notes for section 118
1 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 section 120.
2 The use or disclosure of personal information obtained under this section
is regulated under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).