PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) ACT

Northern Territory Consolidated Acts

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PETROLEUM (SUBMERGED LANDS) ACT - SCHEDULE 4

Schedule 4 Occupational health and safety

section 152

Part 1 Introduction

1 Objects

The objects of this Schedule are, in relation to facilities located in the adjacent area:

(a) to secure the occupational health and safety and welfare of persons at or near those facilities;

(b) to protect persons at or near those facilities from risks to occupational health and safety arising out of activities being conducted at those facilities;

(d) to promote an occupational environment for members of the workforce at those facilities that is adapted to their needs relating to health and safety; and

(e) to foster a consultative relationship between all relevant persons concerning the health, safety and welfare of members of the workforce at those facilities.

2 Simplified outline

(1) This clause sets out a simplified outline of this Schedule.

(2) This Schedule sets up a scheme to regulate occupational health and safety matters at or near facilities.

(3) Occupational health and safety duties are imposed on the following:

(a) the operator of a facility;

(b) a person in control of a part of a facility or of any work carried out at a facility;

(d) a manufacturer of plant or a substance for use at a facility;

(e) a supplier of a facility or of any plant or substance for use at a facility;

(f) a person who erects or installs a facility or any plant at a facility;

(g) a person at a facility.

(4) A group of members of the workforce at a facility may be established as a designated work group.

(5) The members of a designated work group may select a health and safety representative for that designated work group.

(6) The health and safety representative may exercise certain powers for the purpose of promoting or ensuring the occupational health and safety of group members.

(7) An OHS inspector may conduct an inspection:

(a) to ascertain whether a listed OHS law is being complied with;

(b) concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a listed OHS law; or

(8) The operator of a facility must report accidents and dangerous occurrences to the Safety Authority.

3 Definitions

In this Schedule, unless the contrary intention appears:

"accident" includes the contraction of a disease.

"associated offshore place", in relation to a facility, means any offshore place near the facility where activities (including diving activities) relating to the construction, installation, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of the facility take place, but does not include:

(a) another facility;

(b) a supply vessel, offtake tanker, anchor handler or tugboat; or

"contract" includes an arrangement or understanding.

contractor has the meaning in clause 7.

"dangerous occurrence" means an occurrence declared by the regulations to be a dangerous occurrence.

"designated work group" means:

(a) a group of members of the workforce at a facility that is established as a designated work group under clause 18 or 19; or

(b) that group as varied in accordance with clause 20 or 21.

"employee", in relation to an employer, means an employee of the employer.

"employer" means an employer who carries on an activity at a facility.

"facility" means a facility within the meaning of clause 4, and:

(a) includes a facility that is being constructed or installed; and

(b) except in the definition of associated offshore place , includes an associated offshore place in relation to a facility (as defined by clause 4).

"group member", in relation to a designated work group at a facility, means a person who is:

(a) a member of the workforce at that facility; and

(b) included in that designated work group.

"improvement notice" means an improvement notice issued under clause 61(1).

"inspection" means an inspection conducted under Part 4 of this Schedule, and includes an investigation or inquiry.

"master", in relation to a vessel, means the person having command or charge of the vessel.

"member of the workforce", in relation to a facility, means a natural person who does work at the facility, whether as:

(a) an employee of the operator of the facility or another person; or

(b) a contractor of the operator or another person.

offshore petroleum operations has the meaning in Part III.

"operator", in relation to a facility or proposed facility, means the person who, under the regulations, is taken to be the operator of the facility or proposed facility.

operator's representative at a facility means a person present at the facility in compliance with the obligations imposed on the operator by clause 5.

"own" includes own jointly and own in part.

"plant" includes any machinery, equipment and tool and any component of those things.

"premises" includes the following:

(a) a structure or building;

(b) a place (whether or not enclosed or built on);

"prohibition notice" means a prohibition notice issued under clause 59(1).

"proposed facility" means a facility proposed to be constructed, installed or operated.

"recovery", in relation to petroleum, includes all processes directly or indirectly associated with its recovery.

"registered organisation" means an organisation within the meaning of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 of the Commonwealth.

"regulated business premises" means:

(a) a facility; or

(b) premises that are:

(i) occupied by a person who is the operator of a facility; and

(ii) used, or proposed to be used, wholly or principally in connection with offshore petroleum operations.

"regulations" means:

(a) regulations made for this Schedule; or

(b) regulations of the Commonwealth relating to occupational health and safety matters as applied for this Schedule.

"reviewing authority" means the Australian Industrial Relations Commission.

"work" means work offshore that is directly or indirectly related to the construction, installation, operation, maintenance or decommissioning of a facility.

"workforce representative" means:

(a) in relation to a person who is a member of the workforce at a facility – a registered organisation of which the person is a member if the person is qualified to be a member of the organisation because of the work the person performs at the facility; or

(b) in relation to a designated work group or a proposed designated work group – a registered organisation of which a person who is, or who is likely to be, in the work group is a member if the person is qualified to be a member of the organisation because of the work the person performs, or will perform, at a facility as a member of the group.

"work group employer", in relation to a designated work group at a facility, means an employer of one or more group members, but does not include the operator of the facility.

"workplace", in relation to a facility, means the whole facility or any part of the facility.

4 Facilities

(1) A vessel or structure is taken to be a facility for this Schedule while the vessel or structure:

(a) is located at a site in the adjacent area; and

(b) is being used, or prepared for use, at the site:

(i) for the recovery of petroleum, for the processing of petroleum, or for the storage and offloading of petroleum, or for any combination of those activities;

(ii) for the provision of accommodation for persons working on another facility (whether or not connected by a walkway to that other facility);

(iii) for drilling or servicing a well for petroleum or doing work associated with the drilling or servicing process;

(iv) for laying pipes for petroleum, including any manufacturing of such pipes and for doing work on an existing pipe;

(v) for the erection, dismantling or decommissioning of a vessel or structure mentioned in a previous subparagraph; or

(vi) for another purpose related to offshore petroleum operations prescribed by the regulations.

(2) Subclause (1) applies to a vessel or structure:

(a) whether it is floating or fixed; and

(b) whether or not it is capable of independent navigation.

(3) Subclause (1) has effect subject to subclauses (6)and (7).

(4) A vessel or structure used for a purpose mentioned in subclause (1)(b)(i) includes:

(a) any wells and associated plant and equipment by means of which petroleum processed or stored at the vessel or structure is recovered;

(b) any pipe or system of pipes through which petroleum is conveyed from a well to the vessel or structure; and

(5) For subclause (1), a vessel or structure that is located offshore for laying pipes as described in subclause (1)(b)(iv) is taken to be located at a site despite the fact the vessel or structure moves as the pipe laying process proceeds.

(6) Despite subclause (1), a vessel or structure is taken not to be a facility for this Schedule if the vessel or structure is:

(a) an offtake tanker;

(b) a tug or anchor handler;

(d) a vessel or structure used for any purpose declared by the regulations not to be a facility.

(7) In determining when a vessel or structure that has the potential to be used for one or more of the purposes mentioned in subclause (1)(b) is in fact being so used, the vessel or structure is taken:

(a) to commence to be so used only at the time when it arrives at the site where it is to be so used and any activities necessary to make it operational at that site are started; and

(b) to cease to be so used when operations cease and the vessel or structure has been returned either to a navigable form or to a form in which it can be towed to another place.

(8) Each of the following is taken to be a facility for this Schedule:

(a) a pipeline subject to a pipeline licence;

(b) if a pipeline subject to a pipeline licence conveys petroleum recovered from a well without the petroleum having passed through another facility, the pipeline together with:

(i) the well and associated plant and equipment; and

(ii) any pipe or system of pipes through which petroleum is conveyed from the well to the pipeline.

(9) In subclause (8)(b):

"facility" does not include a pipeline.

5 Operator must ensure presence of operator's representative

(1) The operator of a facility must ensure, at all times when one or more natural persons are present at the facility, there is also present a natural person (the operator's representative at the facility ) who has day-to-day management and control of operations at the facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 50 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 250 penalty units.

(2) The operator of a facility must ensure the name of the operator's representative at the facility is displayed in a prominent place at the facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 50 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 250 penalty units.

(3) Subclause (1) does not imply that, if the operator is a natural person, the operator's representative at the facility may not be, from time to time, the operator.

6 Health and safety of persons using accommodation facility

To remove doubt, a reference in this Schedule to the occupational health and safety of a person includes a reference to the health and safety of a person using an accommodation facility provided for the accommodation of persons working on another facility.

7 Contractor

For this Schedule, a natural person is taken to be a contractor of another person if the natural person does work at a facility under a contract for services between:

(a) the other person; and

(b) either:

(i) the natural person; or

(ii) the natural person's employer.

Part 2 Occupational health and safety

Division 1 Duties relating to occupational health and safety

8 Duties of operator

(1) The operator of a facility must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure:

(a) the facility is safe and without risk to the health of any person at or near the facility; and

(b) all work and other activities carried out on the facility are carried out in a manner that is safe and without risk to the health of any person at or near the facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), the operator of a facility must:

(a) provide and maintain a physical environment at the facility that is safe and without risk to health;

(b) provide and maintain adequate facilities for the welfare of all members of the workforce at the facility;

(d) implement and maintain systems of work at the facility that are safe and without risk to health;

(e) implement and maintain appropriate procedures and equipment for the control of, and response to, emergencies at the facility;

(f) provide all members of the workforce, in appropriate languages, with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for them to carry out their activities in a manner that does not adversely affect the occupational health and safety of persons at the facility;

(g) monitor the occupational health and safety of all members of the workforce and keep records of that monitoring;

(h) provide appropriate medical and first aid services at the facility; and

(i) develop, in consultation with members of the workforce and workforce representatives, a policy relating to occupational health and safety that:

(i) will enable the operator and the members to cooperate effectively in promoting and developing measures to ensure the occupational health and safety of persons at the facility;

(ii) will provide adequate mechanisms for reviewing the effectiveness of the measures; and

(iii) provides for the making of an agreement that complies with subclauses (4) and (5).

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

(3) Subclause (2)(i) does not require the operator of a facility to engage in consultations with a workforce representative unless a member of the workforce at the facility has requested the workforce representative to be involved in those consultations.

(4) The agreement mentioned in subclause (2)(i)(iii) must be between:

(a) on the one hand – the operator; and

(b) on the other hand:

(i) the members of the workforce; and

(ii) if a member of the workforce at the facility has requested a workforce representative in relation to the member to be a party to that agreement – the workforce representative.

(5) The agreement mentioned in subclause (2)(i)(iii) must provide appropriate mechanisms for continuing consultation between:

(a) on the one hand – the operator; and

(b) on the other hand:

(i) the members of the workforce; and

(ii) if a member of the workforce at the facility has requested a workforce representative in relation to the member to be involved in consultations on a particular occasion – the workforce representative.

(6) The agreement may provide for any other matters agreed between the parties to it.

9 Duties of persons in control of parts of facility or particular work

(1) A person who is in control of any part of a facility, or of any particular work carried out at a facility, must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure:

(a) that part of the facility, or the place where the work is carried out, is safe and without risk to health; and

(b) if the person is in control of particular work – the work is carried out in a manner that is safe and without risk to health.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), a person who is in control of any part of a facility, or of any particular work carried out at a facility, must:

(a) ensure the physical environment at that part of the facility, or at the place where that work is carried out, is safe and without risk to health;

(b) ensure any plant, equipment, materials and substances at or near that part of the facility or that place, or used in that work, are safe and without risk to health;

(c) implement and maintain systems of work at that part of the facility, or in carrying out work at that place, that are safe and without risk to health;

(d) ensure a means of access to, and egress from, that part of the facility or that place that is safe and without risk to health; and

(e) provide all members of the workforce located at that part of the facility or engaged on that work, in appropriate languages, with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for them to carry out their work in a manner that is safe and without risk to health.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

10 Duties of employers

(1) An employer must take all reasonably practicable steps to protect the health and safety of employees at a facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), an employer must:

(a) provide and maintain a working environment that is safe for employees and without risk to their health;

(b) ensure any plant, equipment, materials and substances used in connection with the employees' work are safe and without risk to health;

(d) provide a means of access to, and egress from, the employees' work location that is safe and without risk to health; and

(e) provide the employees, in appropriate languages, with the information, instruction, training and supervision necessary for them to carry out their work in a manner that is safe and without risk to health.

(3) A person has, in relation to a contractor of that person, the same obligations that an employer has under subclauses (1) and (2) in relation to an employee of that employer, but only in relation to:

(a) matters over which the first-mentioned person has control; or

(b) matters over which:

(i) the first-mentioned person would have had control apart from express provision to the contrary in a contract; and

(ii) the first-mentioned person would, in the circumstances, usually be expected to have had control.

(4) An employer must take all reasonable steps to:

(a) monitor the health and safety of employees; and

(b) keep records of that monitoring.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 1 000 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 5 000 penalty units.

11 Duties of manufacturers in relation to plant and substances

(1) A manufacturer of any plant that the manufacturer ought reasonably to expect will be used by members of the workforce at a facility must take all reasonably practicable steps:

(a) to ensure the plant is so designed and constructed as to be, when properly used, safe and without risk to health;

(b) to carry out, or cause to be carried out, the research, testing and examination necessary in order to discover, and to eliminate or minimise, any risk to health and safety that may arise from the use of the plant; and

(i) the use for which it is designed and has been tested;

(ii) details of its design and construction; and

(iii) any conditions necessary to ensure that, when put to the use for which it was designed and tested, it will be safe and without risk to health.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(2) A manufacturer of any substance that the manufacturer ought reasonably to expect will be used by members of the workforce at a facility must take all reasonably practicable steps:

(a) to ensure the substance is so manufactured as to be, when properly used, safe and without risk to health;

(b) to carry out, or cause to be carried out, the research, testing and examination necessary to discover, and to eliminate or minimise, any risk to health and safety that may arise from the use of the substance; and

(c) to make available, in connection with the use of the substance at a facility, adequate written information concerning:

(i) the use for which it is manufactured and has been tested;

(ii) details of its composition;

(iii) any conditions necessary to ensure, when put to the use for which it was manufactured and tested, it will be safe and without risk to health; and

(iv) the first aid and medical procedures that should be followed if the substance causes injury.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(3) If:

(a) plant or a substance is imported into Australia by a person who is not its manufacturer; and

(b) at the time of the importation, the manufacturer of the plant or substance does not have a place of business in Australia,

the first-mentioned person is taken, for this clause, to be the manufacturer of the plant or substance.

(4) This clause does not affect the operation of any other law of the Territory that imposes an obligation on a manufacturer in relation to defective goods or in relation to information to be supplied in relation to goods.

12 Duties of suppliers of facilities, plant and substances

(1) A supplier of a facility, or of any plant or substance the supplier ought reasonably to expect will be used by members of the workforce at a facility, must take all reasonably practicable steps:

(a) to ensure, at the time of supply, the facility, plant or substance, is in such condition as to be, when properly used, safe and without risk to health;

(b) to carry out, or cause to be carried out, the research, testing and examination necessary to discover, and to eliminate or minimise, any risk to health or safety that may arise from the condition of the facility, plant or substance; and

(c) to make available the operator of the facility or person to whom the plant or substance is supplied adequate written information in connection with the use of the facility, plant or substance about:

(i) the condition of the facility, plant or substance at the time of supply;

(ii) any risk to the health and safety of members of the workforce at the facility to which the condition of the facility, plant or substance may give rise unless it is properly used;

(iii) the steps that need to be taken in order to eliminate the risk; and

(iv) for a substance – the first aid and medical procedures that should be followed if the condition of the substance causes injury to a member of the workforce at the facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(2) For subclause (1), if a person (the ostensible supplier ) supplies to a person a facility, or any plant or substance that is to be used by members of the workforce at a facility, and the ostensible supplier:

(a) carries on the business of financing the acquisition or the use of goods by other persons;

(b) has, in the course of the business, acquired an interest in the facility, plant or substance from another person (the actual supplier ), solely for financing its acquisition by, or its provision to, the person to whom it is finally supplied; and

(c) has not taken possession of the facility, plant or substance, or has taken possession of the facility, plant or substance solely for passing possession of the facility, plant or substance to the person to whom it is finally supplied,

a reference in subclause (1) to a supplier must, in relation to the facility, plant or substance mentioned in this subclause, be read as a reference to the actual supplier and not as a reference to the ostensible supplier.

(3) This clause does not affect the operation of another law of the Territory that imposes an obligation in relation to the sale or supply of goods or the information to be supplied in relation to goods.

13 Duties of persons erecting facilities or installing plant

(1) A person who erects or installs a facility or erects or installs any plant at a facility must take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure the facility or plant is not erected or installed in a way that is unsafe or constitutes a risk to health.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 200 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 000 penalty units.

(2) This clause does not affect the operation of another law of the Territory that imposes an obligation in relation to the erection or installation of structures or goods or the supply of services.

14 Duties of persons in relation to occupational health and safety

(1) A person at a facility must, at all times, take all reasonably practicable steps:

(a) to ensure the person does not take any action, or make any omission, that creates a risk, or increases an existing risk, to the occupational health and safety of that or another person at or near the facility;

(b) in relation to any obligation imposed on the operator or on another person by or under a listed OHS law – to cooperate with the operator or the other person to the extent necessary to enable the operator or other person to fulfil the obligation; and

(i) supplied to the person by the operator, an employer of the person or any other person having control of work at a facility (the equipment supplier ); and

(ii) necessary to protect the occupational health and safety of the person or of any other person at or near the facility,

in accordance with any instructions given by the equipment supplier, consistent with the safe and proper use of the equipment.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 50 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 250 penalty units.

(2) Despite subclause (1), the choice or manner of use, or choice and manner of use, of equipment of the kind mentioned in subclause (1)(c)(ii) is a matter that may be, consistently with each listed OHS law:

(a) agreed on between the equipment supplier and any relevant health and safety representative; or

(b) agreed on by a health and safety committee.

(3) If an agreement of the kind mentioned in subclause (2)(a) or (b) provides a process for choosing equipment of a particular kind that is to be provided by the equipment supplier, action must not be taken against a person for failure to use equipment of the kind that is so provided unless the equipment has been chosen in accordance with the process.

(4) If an agreement of the kind mentioned in subclause (2)(a) or (b) provides a process for determining the manner of use of equipment of a particular kind, action must not be taken against a person for failure to use, in the manner required by the equipment supplier, equipment of the kind that is so provided unless the manner has been determined in accordance with the process.

15 Reliance on information supplied or results of research

(1) For the application of clause 8, 9 or 10 to the use of plant or a substance, a person on whom an obligation is imposed under any of those clauses is regarded as having taken reasonably practicable steps as required by the relevant clause, in relation to the use of the plant or substance, to the extent that:

(a) the person ensured, so far as practicable, its use was in accordance with the information supplied by the manufacturer or the supplier of the plant or substance relating to occupational health and safety in its use; and

(b) it was reasonable for the person to rely on the information.

(2) For the application of clause 11 or 12 to carrying out research, testing and examining a facility, or any plant or substance, a person on whom an obligation is imposed under either of those clauses is regarded as having taken reasonably practicable steps as required by the relevant clause, in relation to carrying out research, testing and examining the facility, plant or substance, to the extent that:

(a) the research, testing or examination has already been carried out by or on behalf of someone else; and

(b) it was reasonable for the person to rely on the research, testing or examination.

(3) For the application of clause 13 to the erection of a facility or erection or installation of plant at a facility, a person on whom an obligation is imposed under the clause is regarded as having taken reasonably practicable steps as required by that clause to the extent that:

(a) the person ensured, so far as is reasonably practicable, the erection of the facility, or erection or installation of the plant, was:

(i) in accordance with information supplied by the manufacturer or supplier of the facility or plant relating to its erection or its installation; and

(ii) consistent with the occupational health and safety of persons at the facility; and

(b) it was reasonable for the person to rely on the information.

(4) This clause does not limit what constitutes reasonably practicable steps as required by clause 8, 9,10, 11, 12 or 13.

Division 2 Regulations relating to occupational health and safety

16 Regulations

(1) The regulations may make provision relating to any matter affecting, or likely to affect, the occupational health and safety of persons at a facility.

(2) Regulations made for subclause (1) may make provision for any of the following:

(a) prohibiting or restricting the performance of all work or specified work at a facility;

(b) prohibiting or restricting the use of all plant or specified plant at a facility;

(d) prohibiting or restricting the storage or use of all substances or specified substances at a facility;

(e) specifying the form in which information required to be made available under clause 11(1)(c) or 12(1)(c) is made available;

(f) prohibiting, except in accordance with licences granted under the regulations, the use of specified plant or substances at a facility;

(g) providing for:

(i) the issue, variation, renewal, transfer, suspension and cancellation of those licences; and

(ii) the conditions to which the licences may be subject;

(h) regulating the maintenance and testing of plant used at a facility;

(i) regulating the labelling or marking of substances used at a facility;

(j) regulating the transport of specified plant or substances for use at a facility;

(k) prohibiting the performance, at a facility, of specified activities or work except:

(i) by persons who satisfy requirements of the regulations as to qualifications, training or experience; or

(ii) under the supervision specified in the regulations;

(l) requiring specified action to avoid accidents or dangerous occurrences;

(m) providing for, or prohibiting, specified action in the event of accidents or dangerous occurrences;

(n) providing for the employment at a facility of persons to perform specified duties relating to the maintenance of occupational health and safety at the facility;

(o) regulating the provision and use, at a facility, of protective clothing and equipment, safety equipment and rescue equipment;

(p) providing for monitoring the health of members of the workforce at a facility and the conditions at the facility;

(q) requiring employers to keep records of matters related to the occupational health and safety of employees;

(r) providing for the provision of first aid equipment and facilities at facilities.

Part 3 Workplace arrangements

Division 1 Introduction

17 Simplified outline

(1) This clause sets out a simplified outline of this Part.

(2) A group of members of the workforce at a facility may be established as a designated work group.

(3) The members of a designated work group may select a health and safety representative for that designated work group.

(4) The health and safety representative may exercise certain powers for promoting or ensuring the occupational health and safety of group members.

(5) A health and safety committee may be established in relation to the members of the workforce at a facility.

(6) The main function of a health and safety committee is to assist the operator in relation to occupational health and safety matters.

Division 2 Designated work groups

Subdivision 1 Establishment of designated work groups

18 Establishment of designated work groups by request

(1) A request to the operator of a facility to enter into consultations to establish designated work groups in relation to the members of the workforce at the facility may be made by:

(a) any member of the workforce; or

(b) if a member of the workforce requests a workforce representative in relation to the member to make the request to the operator – the workforce representative.

(2) The operator of a facility must, within 14 days after receiving a request under subclause (1), enter into consultations with:

(a) if any member of the workforce made a request to establish designated work groups:

(i) that member of the workforce;

(ii) if that member requests the operator enter into consultations with a workforce representative in relation to the member – that workforce representative; and

(iii) each employer (if any) of members of the workforce; and

(b) if a workforce representative made a request to establish designated work groups:

(i) if a member of the workforce requests the operator enter into consultations with that workforce representative – that workforce representative; and

(ii) each employer of members of the workforce.

(3) Within 14 days after completing consultations about the establishment of the designated work groups, the operator must, by notifying the members of the workforce, establish the designated work groups in accordance with the outcome of the consultations.

19 Establishment of designated work groups at initiative of operator

(1) If, at any time, the operator of a facility considers designated work groups should be established, the operator must enter into consultations with:

(a) all members of the workforce;

(b) if a member of the workforce requests the operator enter into consultations with a workforce representative in relation to the member – that workforce representative; and

(2) Within 14 days after completing consultations about the establishment of the designated work groups, the operator must, by notifying the members of the workforce, establish the designated work groups in accordance with the outcome of the consultations.

Subdivision 2 Variation of designated work groups

20 Variation of designated work groups by request

(1) A request to the operator of a facility to enter into consultations to vary designated work groups that have already been established in relation to the members of the workforce at the facility may be made by:

(a) any member of the workforce; or

(b) if a member of the workforce requests a workforce representative in relation to the member to make the request to the operator – that workforce representative.

(2) The operator of a facility must, within 14 days after receiving a request under subclause (1), enter into consultations with:

(a) if any member of the workforce made a request to vary designated work groups:

(i) that member of the workforce;

(ii) the health and safety representative of each designated work group affected by the proposed variation; and

(iii) each work group employer (if any) in relation to each designated work group affected by the proposed variation; and

(b) if a workforce representative made a request to vary designated work groups:

(i) if a member of a designated work group affected by the proposed variation requests that the operator enter into consultations with that workforce representative in relation to the group – that workforce representative;

(ii) the health and safety representative of each designated work group affected by the proposed variation; and

(iii) each work group employer (if any) in relation to each designated work group affected by the proposed variation.

(3) If:

(a) consultations take place about the variation of designated work groups that have already been established; and

(b) as a result of the consultations, it has been determined that the variation of some or all of those designated work groups is justified,

then, within 14 days after completing the consultations, the operator must, by notifying the members of the workforce who are affected by the variation, vary those designated work groups in accordance with the outcome of the consultations.

21 Variation of designated work groups at initiative of operator

(1) If the operator of a facility believes the designated work groups should be varied, the operator may, at any time, enter into consultations about the variations with:

(a) the health and safety representative of each of the designated work groups affected by the proposed variation;

(b) if a member of a designated work group affected by the proposed variation requests that the operator enter into consultations with that workforce representative in relation to the group – that workforce representative; and

(2) If:

(a) consultations take place about the variation of designated work groups that have already been established; and

(b) as a result of the consultations, it has been determined that the variation of some or all of those designated work groups is justified,

then, within 14 days after completing the consultations, the operator must, by notifying the members of the workforce who are affected by the variation, vary the designated work groups in accordance with the outcome of the consultations.

Subdivision 3 General

22 Referral of disagreement to reviewing authority

(1) If, in the course of consultations under clause 18, 19, 20 or 21, there is a disagreement between any of the parties to the consultation about the manner of establishing or varying a designated work group, any party may, for facilitating that consultation, refer the matter of disagreement to the reviewing authority.

(2) If the matter of a disagreement is referred to the reviewing authority, the parties to the disagreement must complete the consultation in accordance with the resolution of that matter by the reviewing authority.

23 Manner of grouping members of the workforce

(1) Consultations about the establishment or variation of a designated work group must be directed principally at the determination of the manner of grouping members of the workforce:

(a) that best and most conveniently enables their interests relating to occupational health and safety to be represented and safeguarded; and

(b) that best takes account of the need for any health and safety representative selected for that designated work group to be accessible to each group member.

(2) The parties to the consultations must have regard, in particular, to:

(a) the number of members of the workforce at the facility to which the consultation relates;

(b) the nature of each type of work performed by those members;

(d) the workplaces where each type of work is performed;

(e) the nature of any risks to health and safety at each of those workplaces; and

(f) any overtime or shift working arrangement at the facility.

(3) The designated work groups must be established or varied in such a way that, so far as practicable, each of the members of the workforce at a facility is in a designated work group.

(4) All the members of the workforce at a facility may be in one designated work group.

Division 3 Health and safety representatives

Subdivision 1 Selection of health and safety representatives

24 Selection of health and safety representatives

(1) One health and safety representative may be selected for each designated work group.

(2) A person is not eligible for selection as the health and safety representative for a designated work group unless the person is a member of the workforce included in the group.

(3) A person is taken to have been selected as the health and safety representative for a designated work group if:

(a) all the members of the workforce in the group unanimously agree to the selection; or

(b) the person is elected as the health and safety representative of the group in accordance with clause 25.

25 Election of health and safety representatives

(1) If:

(a) there is a vacancy in the office of health and safety representative for a designated work group; and

(b) within a reasonable time after the vacancy occurs, a person has not been selected under clause 24(3)(a),

the operator of the facility must invite nominations from all group members for election as the health and safety representative of the group.

(2) If the office of health and safety representative is vacant and the operator has not invited nominations within a further reasonable time that is no later than 6 months after the vacancy occurred, the Safety Authority may direct the operator to do so.

(3) If there is more than one candidate for election at the close of the nomination period, the operator must conduct, or arrange for the conduct of, an election at the operator's expense.

(4) The election must be conducted in accordance with regulations made for this subclause if this is requested by the lesser of:

(a) 100 members of the workforce normally in the designated work group; or

(b) a majority of the members of the workforce normally in the designated work group.

(5) If there is only one candidate for election at the close of the nomination period, that person is taken to have been elected.

(6) A person cannot be a candidate in the election if he or she is disqualified under clause 31.

(7) All the members of the workforce in the designated work group are entitled to vote in the election.

(8) An operator conducting or arranging for the conduct of an election under this clause must comply with any relevant directions issued by the Safety Authority.

26 List of health and safety representatives

The operator of a facility must:

(a) prepare and keep up to date a list of all the health and safety representatives of designated work groups comprising members of the workforce performing work at the facility; and

(b) ensure the list is available for inspection, at all reasonable times, by:

(i) the members of the workforce at the facility; and

(ii) OHS inspectors.

27 Members of designated work group must be notified of selection etc. of health and safety representative

The operator of a facility must:

(a) notify members of a designated work group in relation to the facility of a vacancy in the office of health and safety representative for the designated work group within a reasonable time after the vacancy arises; and

(b) notify those members of the name of any person selected (whether under clause 24(3)(a) or (b)) as health and safety representative for the designated work group within a reasonable time after the selection is made.

28 Term of office

(1) A health and safety representative for a designated work group holds office:

(a) if, in consultations that took place under clause 18, 19, 20 or 21, the parties to the consultations agreed to the period for which the health and safety representative for the group was to hold office – for that period; or

(b) if paragraph (a) does not apply – for 2 years.

(2) The term of office of a health and safety representative begins at the start of the day on which he or she was selected.

(3) This clause does not prevent a health and safety representative from being selected for further terms of office.

29 Training of health and safety representatives

(1) A health and safety representative for a designated work group must undertake a course of training relating to occupational health and safety that is accredited by the Safety Authority for this clause.

(2) The operator of the facility concerned must permit the representative to take any time off work, without loss of remuneration or other entitlements, that is necessary to undertake the training.

(3) If a person other than the operator is the employer of the representative, that person must permit the representative to take any time off work, without loss of remuneration or other entitlements, that is necessary to undertake the training.

30 Resignation etc. of health and safety representatives

(1) A person ceases to be the health and safety representative for the designated work group if:

(a) the person resigns as the health and safety representative;

(b) the person ceases to be a group member of that designated work group;

(c) the person's term of office expires without the person having been selected, under clause 24, to be the health and safety representative for the designated work group for a further term; or

(d) the person is disqualified under clause 31.

(2) A person may resign as the health and safety representative for a designated work group by notice in writing delivered to the operator and to each work group employer.

(3) If a person resigns as the health and safety representative for a designated work group, the person must notify the resignation to the group members.

(4) If a person has ceased to be the health and safety representative for a designated work group because of subclause (1)(b), the person must notify in writing:

(a) the group members; and

(b) the operator and each work group employer,

that the person has ceased to be the health and safety representative for that designated work group.

31 Disqualification of health and safety representatives

(1) An application for the disqualification of a health and safety representative for a designated work group may be made to the Safety Authority by:

(a) the operator;

(b) a work group employer; or

(c) at the request of a group member of the designated work group – a workforce representative in relation to the designated work group.

(2) The application may be made on either or both of the following grounds:

(a) that action taken by the representative in the exercise or purported exercise of a power under clause 33(1) or any other provision of this Schedule was taken:

(i) with the intention of causing harm to the operator or work group employer or to an undertaking of the operator or work group employer; or

(ii) unreasonably, capriciously or not for the purpose for which the power was conferred on the representative;

(b) that the representative has intentionally used, or disclosed to another person, for a purpose that is not connected with the exercise of a power of a health and safety representative, information acquired from the operator or work group employer.

(3) On the application, the Safety Authority may disqualify the representative, for a specified period not exceeding 5 years, from being a health and safety representative for any designated work group, if the Safety Authority is satisfied the representative has acted in a manner mentioned in subclause (2).

(4) In making a decision under subclause (3), the Safety Authority must have regard to:

(a) the harm (if any) that was caused to the operator or work group employer or to an undertaking of the operator or work group employer as a result of the action of the representative;

(b) the past record of the representative in exercising the powers of a health and safety representative;

(d) any other matters the Safety Authority considers relevant.

32 Deputy health and safety representatives

(1) One deputy health and safety representative may be selected for each designated work group for which a health and safety representative has been selected.

(2) A deputy health and safety representative must be selected in the same way as a health and safety representative under clause 24.

(3) If the health and safety representative for a designated work group:

(a) ceases to be the health and safety representative; or

(b) is unable (because of absence or for any other reason) to exercise the powers of a health and safety representative,

then:

(d) this Schedule (other than this clause) applies in relation to the deputy health and safety representative accordingly.

Subdivision 2 Powers of health and safety representatives

33 Powers of health and safety representatives

(1) A health and safety representative for a designated work group may, for promoting or ensuring the health and safety at a workplace of the group members:

(a) do all or any of the following:

(i) inspect the whole or any part of the workplace if there has, in the immediate past, been an accident or dangerous occurrence at the workplace or if there is an immediate threat of such an accident or dangerous occurrence;

(ii) inspect the whole or any part of the workplace if the health and safety representative has given reasonable notice of the inspection to the operator's representative at the facility and to any other person having immediate control of the workplace;

(iii) make a request to an OHS inspector or to the Safety Authority that an inspection be conducted at the workplace;

(iv) accompany an OHS inspector during any inspection at the workplace by the OHS inspector (whether or not the inspection is being conducted as a result of a request made by the health and safety representative);

(v) if there is no health and safety committee in relation to the members of the workforce at the facility – represent group members in consultations with the operator and any work group employer about the development, implementation and review of measures to ensure the health and safety of those members at the workplace;

(vi) if a health and safety committee has been established in relation to the members of the workforce at the facility – examine any of the records of that committee;

(b) investigate complaints made by any group member to the health and safety representative about the health and safety of any of the members of the workforce (whether in the group or not);

(c) with the consent of a group member, be present at any interview about health and safety at work between that member and:

(i) an OHS inspector;

(ii) the operator or a person representing the operator; or

(iii) a work group employer or person representing the employer;

(d) obtain access to any information under the control of the operator or any work group employer:

(i) relating to risks to the health and safety of any group member; and

(ii) relating to the health and safety of any group member; and

(e) issue provisional improvement notices in accordance with clause 37.

(2) Subclause (1)(d)(ii) has effect subject to clause 35.

34 Assistance by consultant

(1) A health and safety representative for a designated work group is entitled, in the exercise of his or her powers, to be assisted by a consultant.

(2) A health and safety representative for a designated work group may:

(a) be assisted by a consultant at a workplace at which work is performed; or

(b) provide to a consultant information that has been provided to the health and safety representative by a group member under clause 33(1)(d),

only if the operator or the Safety Authority has, in writing, agreed to the provision of that assistance at that workplace or the provision of that information.

(3) The operator or a workplace employer does not become liable, because of the agreement under subclause (2) to the provision of assistance by a consultant, for any remuneration or other expenses incurred in connection with the consultant's activities.

(4) If a health and safety representative for a designated work group is being assisted by a consultant, the consultant is entitled to be present with the representative at any interview, about health and safety at work, between a group member and:

(a) an OHS inspector; or

(b) the operator or any work group employer or a person representing the operator or that employer,

only if the group member consents to the presence of the consultant.

35 Information

(1) A health and safety representative or consultant assisting a health and safety representative is not entitled, under clause 33(1)(d)(ii), to have access to information in respect of which a group member is entitled to claim, and does claim, legal professional privilege.

(2) A health and safety representative or consultant assisting a health and safety representative is not entitled, under clause 33(1)(d)(ii), to have access to information of a confidential medical nature relating to a person who is or was a group member unless:

(a) the person has delivered to the operator or any work group employer a written authority permitting the health and safety representative, or the health and safety representative and the consultant, as the case requires, to have access to the information; or

(b) the information is in a form that does not identify the person or enable the identity of the person to be discovered.

36 Obligations and liabilities of health and safety representatives

This Schedule does not:

(a) impose an obligation on a person to exercise any power conferred on the person because the person is a health and safety representative; or

(b) render a person liable in a civil proceeding because of:

(i) a failure to exercise such a power; or

(ii) the way such a power was exercised.

37 Provisional improvement notices

(1) If:

(a) a health and safety representative for a designated work group believes, on reasonable grounds, that a person:

(i) is contravening a provision of a listed OHS law; or

(ii) has contravened a provision of a listed OHS law and is likely to contravene that provision again; and

(b) the contravention affects or may affect one or more group members,

the representative must consult with the person supervising the relevant activity in an attempt to reach agreement on rectifying the contravention or preventing the likely contravention.

(2) If, in the health and safety representative's opinion, agreement is not reached within a reasonable time, the health and safety representative may issue a provisional improvement notice to any or all of the persons (each of whom is in this clause called a responsible person ) responsible for the contravention.

(3) If a responsible person is the operator, the improvement notice may be issued to the operator by giving it to the operator's representative at the facility.

(4) If it is not practicable to issue the notice to a responsible person (other than the operator or the supervisor) by giving it to that responsible person:

(a) the notice may be issued to that responsible person by giving it to the person who for the time being is, or may reasonably be presumed to be, on behalf of the responsible person, in charge of the activity to which the notice relates; and

(b) if the notice is so issued, a copy of the notice must be given to the responsible person as soon as practicable afterwards.

(5) The notice must:

(a) specify the contravention that, in the health and safety representative's opinion, is occurring or is likely to occur, and specify the reasons for that opinion; and

(b) specify a period that:

(i) is not less than 7 days starting on the day after the notice is issued; and

(ii) is, in the representative's opinion, reasonable,

within which the responsible person is to take action necessary to prevent any further contravention or to prevent the likely contravention.

(6) The notice may specify action that the responsible person is to take during the period specified in the notice.

(7) If, in the health and safety representative's opinion, it is appropriate to do so, the representative may, in writing and before the end of the period, extend the period specified in the notice.

(8) On issuing the notice, the health and safety representative must give a copy of the notice to:

(a) if the operator is not a responsible person – the operator;

(b) each work group employer other than a work group employer who is a responsible person;

(d) if the notice relates to any plant, substance or thing that is owned by a person other than a responsible person or a person to whom a copy of the notice is given under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) – that owner.

38 Effect of provisional improvement notice

(1) Within 7 days after a notice is issued under clause 37:

(a) the responsible person; or

(b) any other person to whom a copy of the notice has been given under clause 37(8),

may request the Safety Authority or an OHS inspector for an inspection of the matter to be conducted.

(2) On the request being made, the operation of the notice is suspended pending the determination of the matter by an OHS inspector.

(3) As soon as possible after a request is made, an inspection must be conducted of the work that is the subject of the disagreement and the OHS inspector conducting the inspection must:

(a) confirm, vary or cancel the notice and notify the responsible person and any person to whom a copy of the notice has been given under clause 37(8) accordingly; and

(b) make decisions, and exercise powers, under Part 4 as the OHS inspector considers necessary in relation to the work.

(4) If the OHS inspector varies a notice, the notice as so varied has effect:

(a) so far as the notice concerns obligations imposed on the responsible person that are unaffected by the variation – as if the notice as so varied resumed effect on the day of the variation; and

(b) so far as the notice concerns new obligations imposed by virtue of the variation – as if the notice as so varied were a new notice issued on the day of the variation.

(5) If the notice is issued to a responsible person, the responsible person must:

(a) notify each group member who is affected by the notice of the fact of the issue of the notice; and

(b) until the notice ceases to have effect, cause a copy of the notice to be displayed at or near each workplace at which the work that is the subject of the notice is being performed.

(6) The notice ceases to have effect if:

(a) it is cancelled by an OHS inspector or the health and safety representative; or

(b) the responsible person:

(i) takes the action specified in the notice; or

(ii) if no action is so specified – takes the action necessary to prevent the further contravention, or likely contravention, concerned.

(7) The responsible person:

(a) must ensure, to the extent the notice relates to any matter over which the person has control, the notice is complied with; and

(b) must take reasonable steps to inform the health and safety representative who issued the notice of the action taken to comply with the notice.

(8) For clause 65, if the OHS inspector confirms or varies the notice, the OHS inspector is taken to have decided, under clause 61, to issue an improvement notice in those terms.

Subdivision 3 Duties of the operator and other employers in relation to health and safety representatives

39 Duties of operator and other employers in relation to health and safety representatives

(1) The operator of a facility, in relation to which a designated work group having a health and safety representative has been established, must:

(a) on being requested to do so by the representative, consult with the representative on the implementation of changes at any workplace at which some or all of the group members perform work, being changes that may affect their health and safety;

(b) in relation to a workplace at which some or all of the group members perform work:

(i) permit the representative to make any inspection of the workplace that the representative is entitled to make in accordance with clause 33(1)(a)(i) and to accompany an OHS inspector during an inspection at the workplace by the OHS inspector; and

(ii) if there is no health and safety committee in respect of the members of the workforce – on being requested to do so by the representative, consult with the representative about the development, implementation and review of measures to ensure the health and safety of group members;

(c) permit the representative to be present at any interview at which the representative is entitled to be present under clause 33(1)(c);

(d) provide to the representative access to any information to which the representative is entitled to obtain access under clause 33(1)(d)(i) or (ii) and to which access has been requested;

(e) permit the representative to take any time off work, without loss of remuneration or other entitlements, that is necessary to exercise the powers of a health and safety representative; and

(f) provide the representative with access to any facilities that are:

(i) prescribed by the regulations; or

(ii) necessary for exercising the powers of a health and safety representative.

(2) Subclause (1)(d) has effect subject to subclauses (3) and (4).

(3) The operator must not permit a health and safety representative in relation to a designated work group to have access to information that:

(a) is of a confidential medical nature under the control of the operator; and

(b) relates to a person who is or was a group member,

unless:

(c) the person has delivered to the employer a written authority permitting the representative to have access to the information; or

(d) the information is in a form that does not identify the person or enable the identity of the person to be discovered.

(4) The operator is not required to give a health and safety representative access to any information in respect of which the operator is entitled to claim, and does claim, legal professional privilege.

(5) The duties imposed by this clause on the operator in relation to the health and safety representative for a designated work group apply equally, to the extent that the matters to which the duties relate are within the control of a work group employer or of a supervisor of particular work, to that employer and to that supervisor.

Division 4 Health and safety committees

40 Health and safety committees

(1) A health and safety committee must be established in relation to the members of the workforce at a facility if:

(a) the number of those members normally present at the facility is not less than 50 (whether or not those members are all at work at the facility at the same time);

(b) the members of the workforce are included in one or more designated work groups; and

(c) the operator is requested to establish the committee by the health and safety representative for the designated work group or for one of the designated work groups.

(2) The health and safety committee consists of:

(a) the number of members specified in an agreement reached between the operator and the members of the workforce; or

(b) if there is no such agreement, an equal number of:

(i) members, chosen by the members of the workforce, to represent the interests of members of the workforce; and

(ii) members, chosen by the operator, to represent the interests of the operator and the employer (other than the operator) of members of the workforce.

(3) The agreement mentioned in subclause (2)(a) may:

(a) specify the persons who are to be members to represent the interests of the operator and employers (other than the operator) of members of the workforce; and

(b) provide for the way in which persons who are to be members to represent the interests of members of the workforce are to be chosen.

(4) If regulations made for this clause specify procedures for the selection of persons as members of health and safety committees to represent the interests of members of the workforce, an agreement mentioned in subclause (2)(a) must not provide for members to be chosen in a way inconsistent with the regulations.

(5) A health and safety committee must hold a meeting at least once every 3 months.

(6) The procedure at meetings of a health and safety committee must, except to the extent provided for by the regulations, be the procedure agreed on by the committee.

(7) A health and safety committee must cause minutes of its meetings to be kept and must retain those minutes for not less than 3 years.

(8) This clause does not prevent an operator from establishing, in consultation with registered unions or any other persons, committees concerned with occupational health and safety in relation to undertakings carried on by the operator.

41 Functions of health and safety committee

(1) A health and safety committee has the following functions:

(a) to assist the operator of the facility concerned:

(i) to develop and implement measures designed to protect; and

(ii) to review and update measures used to protect the health and safety at work of members of the workforce;

(b) to facilitate cooperation between the operator of the facility, employers (other than the operator) of members of the workforce, and members of the workforce, in relation to occupational health and safety matters;

(c) to assist the operator to disseminate among members of the workforce, in appropriate languages, information relating to health and safety at work;

(d) any functions prescribed by the regulations;

(e) any other functions that are agreed between the operator and the health and safety committee.

(2) A health and safety committee has power to do all things necessary or convenient to be done for or in connection with the performance of its functions.

(3) This Schedule does not:

(a) impose an obligation on a person to do any act, because the person is a member of a health and safety committee, in connection with the performance of a function conferred on the committee; or

(b) render such a person liable in a civil proceeding because of:

(i) a failure to do such an act; or

(ii) the manner in which such an act was done.

42 Duties of the operator and other employers in relation to health and safety committees

(1) If there is a health and safety committee, the operator and any employer (other than the operator) of a member of the workforce must:

(a) make available to the committee any information possessed by the operator or that employer relating to risks to health and safety to members of the workforce; and

(b) permit any member of the committee who is a member of the workforce to take time off work, without loss of remuneration or other entitlements, as is necessary for the member adequately to participate in the performance by the committee of its functions.

(2) Subclause (1)(a) has effect subject to subclauses (3) and (4).

(3) The operator or any employer (other than the operator) of a member of the workforce must not make available to a health and safety committee information of a confidential nature relating to a person who is or was a member of the workforce unless:

(a) the person has authorised the information to be made available to the committee; or

(b) the information is in a form that does not identify the person or enable the identity of the person to be discovered.

(4) The operator or any employer (other than the operator) of a member of the workforce is not required to make available to a health and safety committee any information in respect of which the operator or employer is entitled to claim, and does claim, legal professional privilege.

Division 5 Emergency procedures

43 Action by health and safety representatives

(1) If a health and safety representative for a designated work group has reasonable cause to believe there is an imminent and serious danger to the health or safety of any person at or near the facility unless a group member or group members cease to perform particular work, the representative must:

(a) inform a person (a supervisor ) supervising the group member or group members in the performance of the work of the danger; or

(b) if no supervisor can be contacted immediately:

(i) direct the group member or group members to cease, in a safe manner, to perform the work; and

(ii) as soon as practicable, inform a supervisor that the direction has been given.

(2) If a supervisor is informed under subclause (1)(a) of a danger to the health or safety of any person at or near the facility, the supervisor must take the action he or she thinks appropriate to remove the danger, including directing a group member or group members to cease, in a safe manner, to perform the work.

(3) If:

(a) a health and safety representative has informed a supervisor under subclause (1)(a) of a danger; and

(b) the representative has reasonable cause to believe that, despite any action taken by the supervisor in accordance with subclause (2), there continues to be an imminent and serious danger to the health or safety of any person at or near the facility unless the group member or group members cease to perform particular work,

the representative must:

(d) as soon as practicable, inform the supervisor that the direction has been given.

(4) If:

(a) a health and safety representative gives a direction under subclause (1)(b), but is unable to agree with a supervisor whom the representative has informed under that subclause that there is a need for a direction under that subclause; or

(b) a health and safety representative gives a direction under subclause (3)(c),

the representative or supervisor may request the Safety Authority or an OHS inspector that an inspection be conducted of the work the subject of the direction.

(5) As soon as possible after a request is made, an inspection must be conducted of the work that is the subject of the direction and the OHS inspector conducting the inspection must make decisions, and exercise powers, under Part 4 as the OHS inspector considers necessary in relation to the work.

(6) This clause does not limit the power of a health and safety representative under clause 33(1)(a)(iii) to request an OHS inspector or the Safety Authority that an inspection be conducted at the workplace.

44 Directions to perform other work

If:

(a) a group member who is an employee has ceased to perform work, in accordance with the direction of a health and safety representative under clause 43(1)(b) or (3)(c); and

(b) the cessation of work does not continue after:

(i) the health and safety representative has agreed with a person supervising work at the workplace where the work was being performed that the cessation of work was not, or is no longer, necessary; or

(ii) an OHS inspector has, under clause 43(5), made a decision to the effect that the employee should perform the work,

the employer may direct the employee to perform suitable alternative work, and the employee is taken, for all purposes, to be required to perform that other work under the terms and conditions of the employee's employment.

Division 6 Exemptions

45 Safety Authority may exempt persons

(1) The Safety Authority may, in accordance with the regulations, make a written order exempting a specified person or class of person from any or all of the provisions of this Part (other than this clause).

(2) The Safety Authority must not make an order under subclause (1) unless it is satisfied on reasonable grounds it is impracticable for the person to comply with the provision or provisions.

Part 4 Inspections

Division 1 Introduction

46 Simplified outline

(1) This clause sets out a simplified outline of this Part.

(2) An OHS inspector may conduct an inspection:

(a) to ascertain whether a listed OHS law is being complied with;

(b) concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a listed OHS law; or

(3) An OHS inspector may issue a prohibition notice to the operator of a facility in order to remove an immediate threat to the health and safety of any person.

(4) An OHS inspector may issue an improvement notice specifying action that is to be taken to prevent contravention of a listed OHS law.

(5) An OHS inspector must prepare a report about an inspection and give the report to the Safety Authority.

47 Powers, functions and duties of OHS inspectors

(1) An OHS inspector has the powers, functions and duties conferred or imposed by the listed OHS laws.

(2) The Safety Authority may give written directions specifying the manner in which, and the conditions subject to which, powers conferred on OHS inspectors by a listed OHS law must be exercised.

(3) If it does so, the powers of OHS inspectors must be exercised in accordance with the directions.

(4) The Safety Authority may, by notice in writing, impose restrictions, not inconsistent with any direction in force under subclause (2), on the powers that are conferred on a particular OHS inspector by a listed OHS law.

(5) If it does so, the powers of the OHS inspector are taken to have been restricted accordingly.

Division 2 Inspections

48 Inspections

(1) An OHS inspector may, at any time, conduct an inspection:

(a) to ascertain whether the requirements of, or any requirements properly made under, a listed OHS law are being complied with;

(b) concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a listed OHS law; or

(2) The Safety Authority may direct an OHS inspector to conduct an inspection:

(a) to ascertain whether the requirements of, or any requirements properly made under, a listed OHS law are being complied with;

(b) concerning a contravention or possible contravention of a listed OHS law; or

(3) The OHS inspector must, unless the Safety Authority revokes the direction, conduct an inspection accordingly.

Division 3 Powers of OHS Inspectors in relation to conduct of inspections

Subdivision 1 General powers of entry and search

49 Powers of entry and search – facilities

(1) An OHS inspector may, for the purposes of an inspection, at any reasonable time during the day or night:

(a) enter the facility to which the inspection relates and do all or any of the following:

(i) search the facility;

(ii) inspect, examine, take measurements of, or conduct tests concerning, any workplace at the facility or any plant, substance or thing at the facility;

(iii) take photographs of, make video recordings of, or make sketches of, any workplace at the facility or any plant, substance or thing at the facility;

(iv) inspect, take extracts from, or make copies of, any documents at the facility that the OHS inspector has reasonable grounds to believe relate, or are likely to relate, to the subject matter of the inspection; and

(b) inspect the seabed and subsoil in the vicinity of the facility to which the inspection relates.

(2) Immediately on entering a facility for the purposes of an inspection, an OHS inspector must take reasonable steps to notify the purpose of entering the facility to:

(a) the operator's representative at the facility; and

(b) if there is a health and safety representative for a designated work group having a group member likely to be affected by the matter the subject of the inspection – that representative,

and must, on being requested to do so by the person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b), produce for inspection by that person:

(d) a copy of the Safety Authority's written direction (if any) to conduct the inspection; and

(e) a copy of the restrictions (if any) imposed on the powers of the OHS inspector under clause 47(4).

(3) If there is a health and safety representative for a designated work group having a group member likely to be affected by the matter the subject of the inspection, the OHS inspector must afford the health and safety representative a reasonable opportunity to consult on the matter the subject of the inspection.

50 Powers of entry and search – regulated business premises (other than facilities)

(1) An OHS inspector may, for the purposes of an inspection:

(a) at any reasonable time, enter any regulated business premises (other than a facility) if the OHS inspector has reasonable grounds to believe there are likely to be at those premises documents that relate to a facility that is, or to facility operations that are, the subject of the inspection; and

(b) search for, inspect, take extracts from, or make copies of, any such documents at those premises.

(2) Immediately on entering premises mentioned in subclause (1), an OHS inspector must take reasonable steps to notify the purpose of the entry to the occupier of those premises, and must, on being requested to do so by the occupier, produce for inspection by the occupier:

(a) the OHS inspector's identity card;

(b) a copy of the Safety Authority's written direction (if any) to conduct the inspection; and

51 Powers of entry and search – premises (other than regulated business premises)

(1) An OHS inspector may, for the purposes of an inspection:

(a) enter any premises (other than regulated business premises) if the OHS inspector has reasonable grounds to believe there are likely to be at those premises documents that relate to a facility that is, or to facility operations that are, the subject of the inspection; and

(b) search for, inspect, take extracts from, or make copies of, any such documents at those premises.

(2) An OHS inspector may exercise the powers mentioned in subclause (1) to enter premises only:

(a) if the premises are not a residence:

(i) in accordance with a warrant under clause 52; or

(ii) with the consent of the occupier of the premises; or

(b) if the premises are a residence – with the consent of the occupier of the premises.

(3) Immediately on entering premises mentioned in subclause (1), an OHS inspector must:

(a) take reasonable steps to notify the purpose of the entry to the occupier of those premises;

(b) take reasonable steps to produce, for inspection by the occupier, the OHS inspector's identity card; and

(i) a copy of the Safety Authority's written direction (if any) to conduct the inspection; and

(ii) a copy of the restrictions (if any) imposed on the powers of the OHS inspector under clause 47(4).

(4) If:

(a) an OHS inspector enters premises in accordance with a warrant under clause 52; and

(b) the occupier of the premises is present at the premises,

the OHS inspector must make a copy of the warrant available to the occupier.

(5) Before obtaining the consent of a person as mentioned in subclause (2)(a) or (b), an OHS inspector must inform the person that:

(a) the person may refuse consent; and

(b) the consent may be withdrawn.

(6) The consent of a person is not effective for subclause (2) unless the consent is voluntary.

52 Warrant to enter premises (other than regulated business premises)

(1) An OHS inspector may apply to a magistrate for a warrant authorising the OHS inspector, with any assistance as the OHS inspector thinks necessary, to exercise the powers mentioned in clause 51(1) in relation to particular premises (other than a residence).

(2) The application must be supported by evidence on oath (whether oral or by affidavit) that specifies the grounds on which the OHS inspector is applying for the warrant.

(3) If the magistrate is satisfied there are reasonable grounds for issuing the warrant, the magistrate may issue the warrant.

(4) A warrant issued under subclause (3) must state:

(a) the name of the OHS inspector;

(b) whether the inspection may be carried out at any time or only during specified hours of the day;

(d) the purposes for which the warrant is issued.

(5) The day specified under subclause (4)(c) must not be more than 30 days after the day on which the warrant is issued.

(6) The purposes specified under subclause (4)(d) must include the identification of the premises in relation to which the warrant is issued.

53 Obstructing or hindering OHS inspector

A person must not, without reasonable excuse, obstruct or hinder an OHS inspector in the exercise of an OHS inspector's powers under clause 49, 50 or 51.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

Subdivision 2 Other powers

54 Power to require assistance and information

(1) An OHS inspector may, to the extent that it is reasonably necessary to do so in connection with the conduct of an inspection, require:

(a) the operator of a facility;

(b) the person in charge of operations at a workplace in relation to a facility;

(d) any person representing a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b),

to provide the OHS inspector with reasonable assistance and facilities:

(e) that is or are reasonably connected with the conduct of the inspection at or near the facility; or

(f) for the effective exercise of the OHS inspector's powers under this Schedule in connection with the conduct of the inspection at or near the facility.

(2) The reasonable assistance mentioned in subclause (1) includes, so far as the operator of the facility is concerned:

(a) appropriate transport to or from the facility for the OHS inspector and for any equipment required by the OHS inspector, and any article of which the OHS inspector has taken possession; and

(b) reasonable accommodation and means of subsistence while the OHS inspector is at the facility.

(3) A person must not fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement under this clause.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

55 Power to require answering of questions and production of documents or articles

(1) If:

(a) an OHS inspector believes on reasonable grounds a person is capable of answering a question that is reasonably connected with the conduct of an inspection; and

(b) the person is:

(i) the operator of a facility;

(ii) the person in charge of operations at a workplace in relation to a facility;

(iii) a member of the workforce at a facility; or

(iv) representing a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii),

the OHS inspector may, to the extent it is reasonably necessary to do so in connection with the conduct of the inspection, require the person to answer the question put by the OHS inspector.

(2) If, at the time when a requirement under subclause (1) is imposed on a person, the person is not physically present on regulated business premises, the person is not obliged to comply with the requirement unless the requirement:

(a) is in writing;

(b) specifies the day on or before which the question is to be answered (being at least 14 days after the day on which the requirement is imposed); and

(3) If:

(a) an OHS inspector believes on reasonable grounds a person is capable of producing a document or article that is reasonably connected with the conduct of an inspection; and

(b) the person is:

(i) the operator of a facility;

(ii) the person in charge of operations at a workplace in relation to a facility;

(iii) a member of the workforce at a facility; or

(iv) representing a person mentioned in subparagraph (i) or (ii),

the OHS inspector may, to the extent it is reasonably necessary to do so in connection with the conduct of the inspection, require the person to produce the document or article.

(4) If, at the time when a requirement under subclause (3) is imposed on a person, the person is not physically present on regulated business premises, the person is not obliged to comply with the requirement unless the requirement:

(a) is in writing;

(b) specifies the day on or before which the document or article is to be produced (being at least 14 days after the day on which the requirement is imposed); and

(5) A person must not:

(a) fail, without reasonable excuse, to comply with a requirement under this clause; or

(b) in purported compliance with a requirement under this clause, give information that is false or misleading in a material particular.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 30 penalty units or imprisonment for 6 months.

If the offender is a body corporate – 150 penalty units.

56 Privilege against self-incrimination

(1) A person is not excused from answering a question or producing a document or article when required to do so under clause 55 on the ground that the answer to the question, or the production of the document or article, may tend to incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty.

(2) However:

(a) the answer given or document or article produced;

(b) answering the question or producing the document or article; or

(c) any information, document or thing obtained as a direct or indirect consequence of the answering of the question or the production of the document or article,

is not admissible in evidence against the person in any civil proceeding or any criminal proceeding other than a proceeding for an offence against clause 55.

57 Power to take possession of plant, take samples of substances etc.

(1) In conducting an inspection, an OHS inspector may, to the extent it is reasonably necessary for the purposes of inspecting, examining, taking measurements of or conducting tests concerning any plant, substance or thing at a facility in connection with the inspection:

(a) take possession of the plant, substance or thing and remove it from the facility; or

(b) take a sample of the substance or thing and remove that sample from the facility.

(2) On taking possession of plant, a substance or thing, or taking a sample of a substance or thing, the OHS inspector must, by notice in writing, inform:

(a) the operator of the facility;

(b) if the plant, substance or thing is used for the performance of work by an employer of a member or members of the workforce at the facility other than the operator of the facility – that employer;

(c) if the plant, substance or thing is owned by a person other than a person mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) – that person; and

(d) if there is a health and safety representative for a designated work group that includes a member of the workforce who is affected by the matter to which the inspection relates – that representative,

of the taking of possession or the taking of the sample and the reasons for it.

(3) If the OHS inspector gives the notice to the operator of the facility to which the inspection relates, the operator's representative at the facility must cause the notice to be displayed in a prominent place at the workplace from which the plant, substance or thing was removed.

(4) If the OHS inspector takes possession of plant, a substance or a thing at a workplace for the purpose of inspecting, examining, taking measurements of or conducting tests concerning, the plant, substance or thing, the OHS inspector must:

(a) ensure the inspection, examination, measuring or testing is conducted as soon as practicable; and

(b) return it to the workplace as soon as practicable afterwards.

(5) As soon as practicable after completing any such inspection, examination, measurement or testing, the investigator must give a written statement specifying the results to each person whom the investigator is required to notify under subclause (2).

58 Power to direct that workplace etc. not be disturbed

(1) An OHS inspector may give a direction under subclause (2) if, in conducting an inspection, the OHS inspector has reasonable grounds to believe it is reasonably necessary to do so in order to:

(a) remove an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person; or

(b) allow the inspection, examination or taking of measurements of, or conducting of tests concerning, a facility or any plant, substance or thing at the facility.

(2) If subclause (1) applies, the OHS inspector may direct, by written notice given to the operator's representative at the facility, that the operator must ensure:

(a) a particular workplace; or

(b) particular plant, or a particular substance or thing, not be disturbed for a period specified in the direction.

(3) The period specified in the direction must be a period that the OHS inspector has reasonable grounds to believe is necessary in order to remove the threat or to allow the inspection, examination, measuring or testing to take place.

(4) The direction may be renewed by another direction in the same terms.

(5) If an OHS inspector gives a notice to the operator's representative under subclause (2), the operator's representative must cause the notice to be displayed in a prominent place at the workplace:

(a) that is to be left undisturbed; or

(b) where the plant, substance or thing that is to be left undisturbed is located.

(6) As soon as practicable after giving the direction, the OHS inspector must take reasonable steps to give notice of the direction and the reasons for giving it to:

(a) if the workplace, plant, substance or thing to which the direction relates is owned by a person other than the operator of the facility – that person; and

(b) if there is a health and safety representative for a designated work group that includes a group member performing work:

(i) at a workplace; or

(ii) involving the plant, substance or thing,

to which the direction relates – that representative.

(7) The operator of a facility to which a direction concerning a workplace, plant, substance or thing relates must ensure the direction is complied with.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(8) A direction under subclause (2) must be accompanied by a statement specifying the reasons for the direction.

59 Power to issue prohibition notices

(1) If, having conducted an inspection, an OHS inspector is satisfied on reasonable grounds it is reasonably necessary to issue a prohibition notice to the operator of a facility in order to remove an immediate threat to the health or safety of any person, the OHS inspector may issue a prohibition notice, in writing, to the operator.

(2) The notice must be issued to the operator by giving it to the operator's representative at the facility.

(3) The notice must:

(a) specify the activity in respect of which, in the OHS inspector's opinion, the threat to health or safety has arisen, and specify the reasons for that opinion; and

(b) either:

(i) direct the operator to ensure the activity is not engaged in; or

(ii) direct the operator to ensure the activity is not engaged in in a specified manner.

(4) A specified manner may relate to one or more of the following:

(a) any workplace, or part of a workplace, at which the activity is not to be engaged in;

(b) any plant or substance that is not to be used in connection with the activity;

(5) The notice may specify action that may be taken to satisfy an OHS inspector that adequate action has been taken to remove the threat to health and safety.

(6) The operator's representative at the facility must:

(a) give a copy of the notice to each health and safety representative (if any) for any designated work group having group members performing work that is affected by the notice; and

(b) cause a copy of the notice to be displayed at a prominent place at or near each workplace at which that work is performed.

(7) If the notice relates to any workplace, plant, substance or thing that is owned by a person other than the operator, the OHS inspector must, on issuing the notice, give a copy of the notice to that person.

60 Compliance with prohibition notice

(1) An operator must ensure a prohibition notice issued to the operator is complied with.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(2) If an OHS inspector is satisfied action taken by the operator to remove the threat to health and safety in respect of which the notice was issued is not adequate, the OHS inspector must inform the operator accordingly.

(3) A prohibition notice ceases to have effect when an OHS inspector notifies the operator that the OHS inspector is satisfied the operator has taken adequate action to remove the threat to health or safety.

(4) In making a decision under subclause (2), an OHS inspector may exercise any of the powers of an OHS inspector conducting an inspection the OHS inspector considers necessary for making the decision.

61 Power to issue improvement notices

(1) If, in conducting an inspection, an OHS inspector believes on reasonable grounds a person:

(a) is contravening a provision of a listed OHS law; or

(b) has contravened a provision of a listed OHS law and is likely to contravene that provision again,

the OHS inspector may issue an improvement notice, in writing, to the person (the responsible person ).

(2) If the responsible person is the operator, the improvement notice may be issued to the operator by giving it to the operator's representative at the facility.

(3) If the responsible person is an employer (other than the operator) of members of the workforce, but it is not practicable to give the notice to that employer:

(a) the improvement notice may be issued to the employer by giving it to the operator's representative at the facility; and

(b) if the notice is so issued – the operator must ensure a copy of the notice is given to the employer as soon as practicable afterwards.

(4) The notice:

(a) must specify the contravention that the OHS inspector believes is occurring or is likely to occur, and specify the reasons for that belief;

(b) must specify a reasonable period within which the responsible person is to take the action necessary to prevent any further contravention or to prevent the likely contravention; and

(5) If the OHS inspector believes on reasonable grounds that it is appropriate to do so, the OHS inspector may, in writing and before the end of the period, extend the period specified in the notice.

(6) If an improvement notice is issued to an employer (other than the operator) of members of the workforce in circumstances other than the circumstance mentioned in subclause (3), the employer must immediately ensure a copy of the notice is given to the operator's representative at the facility.

(7) If a notice is issued to the operator or to an employer (other than the operator) of members of the workforce, the operator's representative at the facility must:

(a) give a copy of the notice to each health and safety representative for a designated work group having group members performing work that is affected by the notice; and

(b) cause a copy of the notice to be displayed in a prominent place at or near each workplace at which the work is being performed.

(8) On issuing a notice, the OHS inspector must give a copy of the notice to:

(a) if the notice is:

(i) given to a member of the workforce who is an employee; and

(ii) in connection with work performed by the employee,

the employer of the employee;

(b) if the notice relates to any workplace, plant, substance or thing that is owned by a person other than:

(i) a responsible person; or

(ii) a person who is an employer mentioned in paragraph (a),

the owner; and

(c) if the notice is issued to a person who owns any workplace, plant, substance or thing because of which a contravention of a listed OHS law has occurred or is likely to occur:

(i) the operator of the facility; and

(ii) if the employer of employees who work in that workplace or who use that plant, substance or thing is a person other than the operator – the employer.

62 Compliance with improvement notice

A person to whom an improvement notice is issued must comply with it to the extent the notice relates to any matter over which the person has control.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

63 Notices not to be tampered with or removed

(1) A person must not, without reasonable excuse, tamper with any notice that has been displayed under clause 57(3), 58(5), 59(6) or 61(7) while that notice is so displayed.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

(2) If a notice has been displayed under clause 57(3), a person must not, without reasonable excuse, remove the notice until the plant or thing to which the notice relates is returned to the workplace from which it was removed.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

(3) If a notice has been displayed under clause 58(5), 59(6) or 61(7), a person must not, without reasonable excuse, remove the notice before it has ceased to have effect.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 100 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 500 penalty units.

Division 4 Reports on inspections

64 Reports on inspections

(1) If an OHS inspector has conducted an inspection, the OHS inspector must, as soon as practicable, prepare a written report relating to the inspection and give the report to the Safety Authority.

(2) The report must include:

(a) the OHS inspector's conclusions from conducting the inspection and the reasons for the conclusions;

(b) any recommendations that the OHS inspector wishes to make arising from the inspection; and

(3) As soon as practicable after receiving the report, the Safety Authority must give a copy of the report, together with any written comments that it wishes to make:

(a) to the operator of the facility to which the report relates;

(b) if the report relates to activities performed by an employee of another person – that other person; and

(4) The Safety Authority may, in writing, request the operator or another person to whom the report is given to provide to the Safety Authority, within a reasonable period specified in the request, details of:

(a) any action proposed to be taken as a result of the conclusions or recommendations contained in the report; and

(b) if a notice has been issued under clause 59 or 61 in relation to work being performed for the operator or that other person – any action taken, or proposed to be taken, in respect of that notice,

and the operator or that other person must comply with the request.

(5) As soon as practicable after receiving a report, the operator of a facility must give a copy of the report, together with any written comment made by the Safety Authority on the report:

(a) if there is a least one health and safety committee in relation to some or all of the members of the workforce – to each such committee; and

(b) if there is no such committee in relation to some or all of the members of the workforce, but some or all of those members (in respect of which there is no such committee) are in at least one designated work group for which there is a health and safety representative – to each such health and safety representative.

Division 5 Appeals

65 Appeals

(1) If an OHS inspector, in conducting an inspection or having conducted an inspection:

(a) decides, under clause 38, to confirm or vary a provisional improvement notice;

(b) decides, under clause 57, to take possession of plant, a substance or a thing at a workplace;

(c) decides, under clause 58, to direct a workplace, a part of a workplace, plant, a substance or a thing not be disturbed;

(d) decides, under clause 59, to issue a prohibition notice;

(e) decides, under clause 60, the operator of a facility to whom a prohibition notice has been issued has not taken adequate action to remove the threat to health and safety that caused the notice to be issued; or

(f) decides, under clause 61, to issue an improvement notice,

a person mentioned in subclause (2) may appeal to the reviewing authority against the decision, by giving notice in writing to the reviewing authority.

(2) The following persons may appeal:

(a) the operator of the facility or any employer (other than the operator) who is affected by the decision;

(b) a person to whom a notice has been issued under clause 37(2) or 61(1);

(d) a workforce representative in relation to the designated work group that includes a group member who is affected by the decision and who has requested the workforce representative to make the appeal;

(e) if there is no such designated work group and a member of the workforce affected by the decision has requested a workforce representative in relation to the member to make the appeal – that workforce representative;

(f) a person who owns any workplace, plant, substance or thing to which the decision mentioned in subclause (1)(a), (b), (c) or (f) relates.

(3) If an OHS inspector, having conducted an inspection:

(a) decides, under clause 38, to cancel a provisional improvement notice; or

(b) decides, under clause 60, the operator of a facility to whom a prohibition notice has been issued has taken adequate action to remove the threat to health and safety that caused the notice to be issued,

an appeal against a decision may be made, by notice in writing, to the reviewing authority by:

(4) Subject to this clause, giving notice of an appeal does not affect the operation of the decision appealed against or prevent the taking of action to implement that decision except to the extent the reviewing authority makes an order to the contrary.

(5) If the decision appealed against is a decision under clause 61 to issue an improvement notice, the operation of the decision is suspended pending determination of the appeal except to the extent the reviewing authority makes an order to the contrary.

(6) If the decision appealed against is a decision of an OHS inspector under clause 38 to confirm or vary a provisional improvement notice whose operation has been suspended pending the inspection of the matter to which the notice relates, the operation of the notice is further suspended pending determination of the appeal except to the extent the reviewing authority makes an order to the contrary.

66 Powers of reviewing authority on appeal

(1) On an appeal, the reviewing authority may:

(a) affirm or revoke the decision appealed against; and

(b) if it revokes the decision – substitute any other decision of the kind appealed against that it considers appropriate.

(2) If the decision is:

(a) varied;

(b) revoked; or

the decision is taken to have effect, and always to have had effect, accordingly.

(3) If:

(a) the decision appealed against is a decision under clause 57 to take possession of any plant, substance or thing at a workplace; and

(b) the decision is not affirmed,

the OHS inspector who made the decision must ensure, to the extent the decision is not affirmed, the plant, substance or thing is returned to the workplace as soon as practicable.

Part 5 General

67 Notifying and reporting accidents and dangerous occurrences

(1) If, at or near a facility, there is:

(a) an accident that causes the death of, or serious personal injury to, any person;

(b) an accident that causes a member of the workforce to be incapacitated from performing work for a period prescribed by the regulations for this paragraph; or

the operator must, in accordance with the regulations, give the Safety Authority notice of, and a report about, the accident or dangerous occurrence.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), regulations made for subclause (1) may prescribe:

(a) the time within which, and the manner in which, notice of an accident or dangerous occurrence must be given, and the form of the notice; and

(b) the time within which, and the manner in which, a report of an accident or dangerous occurrence must be given, and the form of the report.

68 Records of accidents and dangerous occurrences to be kept

(1) The operator of a facility must maintain, in accordance with the regulations, a record of each accident or dangerous occurrence in respect of which the operator is required by clause 67 to notify the Safety Authority.

(2) Without limiting subclause (1), regulations made for subclause (1) may prescribe:

(a) the nature of the contents of a record maintained under this clause; and

(b) the period for which the record must be retained.

69 Codes of practice

(1) The regulations may prescribe codes of practice for providing practical guidance to operators of facilities and employers (other than operators) of members of the workforce at facilities.

(2) A person is not liable to any civil or criminal proceeding for contravening a code of practice.

70 Use of codes of practice in proceedings

(1) This clause applies if, in a proceeding for an offence against a listed OHS law, it is alleged that a person contravened a provision of a listed OHS law in relation to which a code of practice was in effect at the time of the alleged contravention.

(2) The code of practice is admissible in evidence in the proceeding.

(3) If the court is satisfied, in relation to any matter which it is necessary for the prosecution to prove in order to establish the alleged contravention:

(a) any provision of the code of practice is relevant to that matter; and

(b) the person failed at any material time to comply with that provision of the code of practice,

that matter is treated as proved unless the court is satisfied in relation to that matter the person complied with that provision of a listed OHS law otherwise than by complying with the code of practice.

71 Interference etc. with protective equipment and safety devices

A person must not, without reasonable excuse, do anything that results in the interference with, or the rendering ineffective of, any protective equipment or safety device provided for the occupational health and safety or welfare of members of the workforce at a facility if the person knew (or ought reasonably to have known) the equipment or device was protective equipment or a safety device.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 500 penalty units or imprisonment for 2 years.

If the offender is a body corporate – 2 500 penalty units.

72 Members of workforce not to be levied

The operator of a facility or an employer (other than the operator) of members of the workforce at a facility must not levy, or permit to be levied, on a member of the workforce any charge in relation to anything done or provided in accordance with a listed OHS law in order to ensure the occupational health and safety or welfare of persons at or near the facility.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

73 Victimisation

(1) An employer (whether the operator or another person) must not:

(a) dismiss an employee;

(b) perform an act that results in injury to an employee in his or her employment;

(c) perform an act that prejudicially alters the employee's position (whether by deducting or withholding remuneration or by any other means); or

(d) threaten to do any of those things,

because the employee:

(e) has complained or proposes to complain about a matter concerning the health, safety or welfare of employees at work;

(f) has assisted or proposes to assist, by giving information or otherwise, the conduct of an inspection; or

(g) has ceased, or proposes to cease, to perform work, in accordance with a direction by a health and safety representative under clause 43(1)(b) or (3)(c), and the cessation or proposed cessation does not continue after:

(i) the health and safety representative has agreed with a person supervising the work that the cessation or proposed cessation was not, or is no longer, necessary; or

(ii) an OHS inspector has, under clause 43(5), made a decision that has the effect that the employee should perform the work.

Penalty: If the offender is a natural person – 250 penalty units.

If the offender is a body corporate – 1 250 penalty units.

(2) In a proceeding for an offence against subclause (1), if all the relevant facts and circumstances (other than the reason for an action alleged in the charge) are proved, the defendant has the onus of establishing the action was not taken for that reason.

74 Institution of prosecutions

(1) A proceeding for an offence against a listed OHS law may be instituted by the Safety Authority or by an OHS inspector.

(2) A health and safety representative for a designated work group may request the Safety Authority to institute a proceeding for an offence against a listed OHS law in relation to the occurrence of an act or omission if:

(a) a period of 6 months has elapsed since the act or omission occurred;

(b) the health and safety representative considers the occurrence of the act or omission constitutes an offence against a listed OHS law; and

(3) A workforce representative in relation to a designated work group may request the Safety Authority to institute a proceeding for an offence against a listed OHS law in relation to the occurrence of an act or omission if:

(a) a period of 6 months has elapsed since the act or omission occurred;

(b) the workforce representative considers that the occurrence of the act or omission constitutes an offence against a listed OHS law;

(d) a group member included in the group requests the workforce representative to request the Safety Authority to institute the proceeding.

(4) A request under subclause (2) or (3) must be in writing.

(5) The Safety Authority must, within 3 months after receiving the request, advise the health and safety representative or the workforce representative whether a proceeding under subclause (1) has been or will be instituted, and, if not, give reasons why not.

75 Role of Commonwealth DPP

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions has the same functions and powers in relation to an offence against a listed OHS law as the Director would have if the offence were an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, including the power to institute and carry on an appeal arising out of a prosecution for the offence.

76 Conduct of directors, employees and agents

(1) This clause has effect for a proceeding for an offence against a listed OHS law.

(2) If it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a body corporate in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show:

(a) the conduct was engaged in by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of actual or apparent authority; and

(b) the director, employee or agent had the state of mind.

(3) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a body corporate by a director, employee or agent of the body corporate within the scope of actual or apparent authority is taken to have been engaged in also by the body corporate unless it establishes it took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

(4) If it is necessary to establish the state of mind of a natural person in relation to particular conduct, it is sufficient to show:

(a) the conduct was engaged in by an employee or agent of the natural person within the scope of actual or apparent authority; and

(b) the employee or agent had the state of mind.

(5) Any conduct engaged in on behalf of a natural person by an employee or agent of the natural person within the scope of actual or apparent authority is taken to have been engaged in also by the natural person unless the natural person establishes that he or she took reasonable precautions and exercised due diligence to avoid the conduct.

(6) If:

(a) a natural person is found guilty of an offence; and

(b) the person would not have been found guilty of the offence if subclauses (4) and (5) had not been enacted,

the person is not liable to be punished by imprisonment for the offence.

(7) A reference in subclause (2) or (4) to the state of mind of a person includes a reference to:

(a) the person's knowledge, intention, opinion, belief or purpose; and

(b) the person's reasons for the intention, opinion, belief or purpose.

77 Act not to give rise to other liabilities etc.

This Schedule does not:

(a) confer a right of action in any civil proceeding in relation to any contravention of a provision of a listed OHS law; or

(b) confer a defence to an action in any civil proceeding or otherwise affect a right of action in any civil proceeding.

78 Regulations – general

(1) The regulations may prescribe the following:

(a) procedures for the selection of persons, under clause 40, as members of health and safety committees, to represent the interests of members of the workforce at a facility;

(b) procedures to be followed at meetings of health and safety committees;

(d) forms for this Schedule or the regulations.

(2) If the Minister is satisfied:

(a) a power, function or duty is conferred or imposed on a person under a law of the Territory or the Commonwealth; and

(b) the proper exercise of the power or performance of the function or duty is or would be prevented by this Schedule or a provision of this Schedule,

regulations made for this subclause may declare this Schedule or the provision does not apply to the person or does not apply to the person in the circumstances specified in the regulations.

(3) Regulations made for subclause (2) do not remain in force for longer than 5 years after they commence, but this subclause does not prevent the making of further regulations of the same substance.

(4) In subclause (2):

"this Schedule" includes regulations made for this Schedule.

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