Workplace Inspections
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) and Electrical Safety Office (ESO) inspectors regularly visit workplaces to respond to health and safety incidents, electrical safety incidents, and to ensure compliance with the relevant legislation, including the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS Act), Electrical Safety Act 2002 (ES Act), and Safety in Recreational Water Activities Act 2011 (SRWA Act).
Inspectors conduct thorough workplace visits utilizing observation, discussion, and document review to assess risk levels and compliance extent. These visits may be initiated through state-wide compliance campaigns, workplace assessments such as audits and inspections, or in response to incident notifications or complaints.
Reasons for Inspector Visits:
WHSQ and ESO inspectors visit workplaces for various reasons, including:
- Investigating workplace incidents.
- Responding to reports of unsafe or unhealthy conditions and dangerous work practices.
- Assessing workplace health and safety and electrical safety risks for workers and the public.
- Conducting inspections and national, statewide, and regional audit campaigns.
- Providing information and advice on legislation.
- Resolving work health and safety issues.
- Resolving right of entry and workplace access disputes.
- Reviewing disputed provisional improvement notices.
During the Visit:
Prior to the Inspection:Inspectors, equipped with photo identification, must be clearly identifiable upon entering a workplace. Non-inspectors, such as technical experts or interpreters, may accompany an inspector.
During the Inspection:Upon entering a workplace, WHSQ and ESO inspectors will promptly notify the employer or the most senior management person on site and relevant health and safety representatives. This notification includes the focus of the visit and the inspection process to be followed.
Inspectors may:
- Inspect or examine any part of the workplace.
- Observe or search any part of the workplace, such as the use of machinery or work processes.
- Take measurements, photographs, or film elements at the workplace.
- Conduct tests, such as checking for the presence of lead in paint.
- Request documents, like maintenance records or training records, from individuals.
- Conduct surveys to assess risk or health and safety standards.
- Engage with managers, supervisors, workers, and others during incidents.
- Enquire into circumstances and probable causes of workplace incidents.
- Seize items as part of the investigation.
Inspectors may identify contraventions during visits, which the duty holder can rectify immediately for compliance. Contraventions that cannot be immediately rectified result in a notice to remedy.
After the Inspection:At the end of a visit, inspectors will:
- Summarize possible outcomes for the employer or senior management.
- Explain any necessary actions.
- Clarify any issued notices.
- Inform health and safety representatives for the employer about outcomes.
An inspection report may be provided to the employer summarizing the findings.
For more information about workplace visits, refer to "What to Expect When an Inspector Calls."
Enforcement Action:WHSQ has various enforcement measures to direct compliance or sanction non-compliance. When taking enforcement action, the inspector will explain the reason, provide evidence, outline required actions for compliance, and indicate the due date for compliance.
When issuing a notice, an inspector will offer information to support understanding, including a clear explanation of the contravention and guidance on what compliance entails. This information may be provided verbally and, in some instances, confirmed or expanded upon in writing.