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P a g e
1.
Enforcement of legislation relating to health, safety and welfare.
2.
To monitor the safety performance and accident potential in places of
employment.
3.
To provide general advice to employers and employees on practical aspects of
health, safety and welfare and interpret the legislation which they enforce and to
liaise with Trade Union Safety Representatives.
4.
To investigate accidents and dangerous occurrences.
5.
To form links with local employers and employees' organisations and discuss
health and safety problems.
6.
To gather and collate statistics relating to accidents and occupational diseases,
and transmit this to the Health and Safety Executive and Commission for analysis
and publication.
7.
To monitor the standards of new machinery, processes and substances, and
liaise with manufacturers.
8.
To conduct legal proceedings before Magistrates' Courts in England and Wales.
9.
To promote safety training activities relating to health, safety and welfare of
people at work.
10.
To liaise with the EEC in respect of health and safety directives.
Enforcement and Powers of Health and Safety Inspectors - Health and Safety at Work
Act 1974 (HASAWA)
Section 20 of the HASAWA grants the Health and Safety Inspector powers of
enforcement. Each Inspector carries a warrant which entitles him to use these powers:
1.
The right of entry (without having to resort to a Magistrate's Court). An
Inspector may enter any premises which he considers to be a place of
employment at any reasonable time of day or night.
2.
An Inspector may take with him a Police Constable if he has reasonable cause to
think that there would be any serious obstruction to prevent him from carrying
out his duties.
3.
An Inspector can also take with him any other person who has been authorised
by the Health and Safety Executive.
4.
Equipment and materials required carrying out tests, etc. may also be taken into
places of employment.
5.
An Inspector may require premises, parts of premises or anything in the
premises to be left undisturbed until an examination or investigation is
completed.
6.
An Inspector has the right to take measurements, photographs and make sound
recordings as he thinks fit.
7.
Section 20 allows an Inspector to obtain samples of articles and substances,
