HSE inspector

An HSE inspector has the power under Section 25 to enter any premises where he has reasonable cause to believe that, in the circumstances, any article or substance is a cause of imminent danger of serious personal injury. He may then seize the article or substance and cause it to be rendered harmless, whether by destruction or otherwise. 

HSE inspectors systematically visit and review a wide range of work activities, giving expert advice and guidance where necessary. The Inspectorates, within the HSE,... 

Enforcement powers. Compliance with OELs is a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations. Under the HSW Act 1974 HSE inspectors have powers to issue two types of enforcement notice - an improvement notice or a prohibition notice - as well as powers to prosecute for criminal offences in the courts. Improvement notices are nomally used to instruct duty holders to remedy a situation in which an inspector believes that there has been a breach of the law resulting in a risk to the health or safety of persons that the law is intended to protect. The duty-holder is normally requir to remedy tiie situation within a specified time period in accordance wath the requirements laid out in the notice. Prohibition notices are normally issued where inspectors fell there is m imminent and serious risk to health and safety. They have the effect of prohibiting... 

HSE inspectors will use these exposure limits as part of their criteria for assessing compliance with the HSW Act and other relevant statutory provisions . 

The role of OELs in enforcement actions. Comphance with OELs is a legal requirement under the COSHH Regulations. Under the HSW Act 1974 HSE inspectors have powers to institute a range of formal enforcement actions. These include two types of enforcement notice - an improvement notice or a prohibition notice - as well as powers to institute prosecution for criminal offences in the... 

The two main mate widon the HSE inspectorate that were likely to have undertaken enforcem on chemical hai rds, Alfoou oth HSE openitiDnal anns such as Nuclear Insf ctmate wm not ioduded in the study, its audum heliev sudi enforcement... 

The MCA and HSE have similar powers of enforcement including, in panicular, powers to issue improvement and prohibition notices where HSE inspectors or MCA surveyors observe matters of evident concern in areas for which they arc not the lead authority. These should be reported without delay to the appropriate office of the other authority by telephone ... 

Where HSE inspectors or MCA surveyors observe matters of evident concern, in... 

The HSE inspectors have powers to investigate accidents to shore-based workers. Accidents to seamen or to ships would be investigated by MAIB. The lead responsibility would be allocated on a case-by-case basis on the same criteria as for the division of responsibilities between HSE and MCA. Where misuse of land-based equipment temporarily mounted on a vessel affected its safety, a joint investigation might be necessary. 

The HSE inspectors have been given wide-ranging powers to assist them in the enforcement of the law. They can ... 

It can help if an HSE Inspector questions the company s precautions or if the company becomes involved in any legal action. It shows that the company has done what the law requires. 

Just think how disastrous that would be for the individual and the company they worked for. If a loss of life or serious injury occurs at work, the HSE Inspectors will investigate the circumstances of the accident. The HSE Inspectors have the power to stop work continuing if they believe there is significant risk or danger in the workplace under a prohibition notice . 

HSE inspectors and local authority inspectors (Environmental Health Officers [EHO]) have the following general powers ... 

Local authority inspectors, the Environmental Health Officers, have similar powers to an HSE inspector but report to the local authority. They may seek advice from the HSE on particular matters. 

HSE inspectors will give advice if requested but you can never tell where advice stops and inspection begins. 

Although Fire Officers have been given similar inspection powers to HSE inspectors, they are not authorized to present cases in court. 

Responsibility for enforcement belongs to the HSC but by agreement Department of Energy inspectors cover activities on and in the vicinity of offshore platforms and HSE inspectors cover activities elsewhere. The structural safety, manning and design of rigs and the navigation of vessels used in connection with installations and pipelines is the responsibility of the Department of Trade. 

Outline the powers available to an HSE inspector that may be exercised following a serious accident on a construction site. 

In addition to fire safety legislation, health and safety at work legislation also covers the elimination or minimization of fire risks. As well as the particular and main general duties under the HSW Act, fire risks are also covered by specific rules, such as for dangerous substances and explosive atmospheres, work equipment, electricity and other hazards. Thus, environmental health officers or HSE inspectors may enforce health and safety standards for the assessment and removal or control of process-related fire risks, where it is necessary, for the protection of workers and others. 

The Health and Safety Executive is the executive and enforcement arm of the HSC. The HSC may direct its work except where it involves enforcement of the law in individual cases. Enforcement of the law in certain premises like offices and shops is the responsibility of local authority environmental health departments, whose officers have identical powers to HSE inspectors. 

The Heaith and Safety Executive enforces the iaw on empioyers iiabiiity insurance and HSE inspectors will check that employers have employers liability insurance with an approved insurer for at least 5 m. They will ask to see the certificate of insurance and other insurance details. 

Employers can be fined up to 2500 for any day they are without suitable insurance. If they do not display the certificate of insurance or refuse to make it available to HSE inspectors when they ask, employers can be fined up to 1000. 

Where industries and companies do agree and set standards, the role of enforcement - whether internally or by HSE inspectors - should be to ensure those standards are met, maintained and are not punitive. 

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