Inspectors, health and safety

The following sections include the relevant sections of the complete Act and indicate those parts of the legislation within the different plant categories to which the inspections provided by the independent engineering inspection companies will conform. It should, however, be appreciated that while the inspections provided will fulfill the statutory requirements for inspection, the actual responsibilities under the various Acts to conform remains the responsibility of the plant owner/user. It must be appreciated that the interpretation of any Act is a matter for the local Health and Safety Inspectorate, who should be consulted at all times if doubt exists as to whether any item of machinery and plant requires inspection to comply with a statutory provision. 

Health and Safety Inspectors (including Explosives Inspectors) are appointed by the HSE to ensure compliance with the relevant statutory provisions. The inspectors have very wide ranging powers, and this is another factor that contributes to fireworks safety. 

The formal licensing process according to BImSchG with publication is the most extensive and time-consuming process for chemical plants (Figure 5-2). After preparation of the basic concept, a preliminary discussion is held with the licensing authority and representatives of the most important specialist authorities (e.g., health and safety inspectorate, water authority) to determine the licensability, the type of application, the required application documents, and the question whether the proposal will be pub-... 

The health and safety inspectors will ensure that the government s legislation concerning health and safety is fully implemented by the building contractor. 

With an annual budget of about 300 million, OSHA is about five percent the size of the Enviroiunental Protection Agency (Salwen 1993). The federal government has six times more fish and game inspectors than health and safety inspectors (Ball 1992). As demonstrated in the Inq)erial Food Product s fire, OSHA frequently steps in only after a disaster. One might believe the limited federal commitment to worker health and safety would lead to a vast and expanding frequency of workplace accidents and diseases. As shown in Figure 1.1 the frequency of workplace deaths as measured by National Safety Council statistics has declined dramatically over the last 64 years. In 1928, for every 1(X),(XX) workers there were 15.8 workplace fatalities. By 1992 the rate of fatalities had fallen by about 80 percent to 3.3 per... 

B. Hutter and P. Manning (1990) The Contexts of Regulation The Impacts Upon Health and Safety Inspectorates in Britain, Law and Policy, 12/2 103-136. 

Indicate four ways in which health and safety inspectors can take enforcement action on an organisation. 

Health and Safety Inspectorate, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast BT6 9FJ 0232 701444 Agricultural Inspectorate, Dundonald House, Upper Newtownwards Road, Belfast BT4 3SU 0232 65011 ext 604... 

Some explanations of non-compliance focus on the workplace. For instance, non-compliance may be associated with a negative corporate culture where compliance is not encouraged and where there may be peer pressure not to comply (Massey, 1979 Sigler and Murphy, 1988 Whitehurst, 1977). Low worker morale was a major reason for non-compliance identified by occupational health and safety inspectors in Britain (Hutter, 1997). Low morale could result for a variety of reasons. For instance, it could be a consequence of low pay or industrial action such as a work to rule or strike. Often, of course, these factors were related. A positive corporate culture, however, could encourage compliance and lead to intra-organizational pressures to comply (Bardach and Kagan, 1982). 

Do you know when a health and safety inspector last visited your site/area ... 

The written record provides excellent evidence to a health and safety inspector of compliance with the law. It is also useful evidence if the organization should become involved in a civil action. 

Health and Safety Inspectorate, 83 Ladas Drive, Belfast BT6 9FJ 028 9024 3249... 

It set out the enforcement powers of health and safety inspectors, as discussed in Chapter 4. 

To make representations to the employer on general matters affecting the group of employees they represent and, in particular, any such matters the employer consults them about >- To represent the group of employees in any discussion with health and safety inspectors. 

Expired certificates may be stored electronically but they must be made available to health and safety inspectors if requested. 

---