WorkCover Inspectors have a dual role. They help employers and employees to understand their rights and obligations under occupational health and safety, workers compensation and injury management legislation.

They also have a range of powers to enforce compliance with the legislation. They are empowered to act under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 and associated legislation Workers Compensation Act 1987 .

Inspectors visit workplaces to:

• Investigate an accident and/or breaches of legislation
• respond to a complaint from workers, unions, OHS committees etc
• give advice and information to management, committees, unions and workers
• carry out a random workplace inspection
• target hazards as a part of a specific campaign
• resolve workplace health and safety disputes

Enforcement role

In certain circumstances, Inspectors have the power to:

• Issue notices which require employers to remedy unsafe working conditions or hazards
• issue notices which prohibit work from continuing until a hazard is fixed
• issue notices requiring employers to provide proof of correct workers compensation insurance
• issue on-the-spot fines for breaches of OHS legislation
• collect evidence and recommend a prosecution

Information role

Inspectors are trained to advise employers and employees about all aspects of occupational health and safety, workers compensation and injury management. For example:

• Conduct a workplace risk assessment
• bring plant, equipment and work methods up to the required standards
• establish a workplace health and safety committee
• establish a workplace injury management program.