Worksafe - inspection protocols
2499. Hon Alison Xamon to the Leader of the House representing the Minister for Commerce
I refer to a complaint made to WorkSafe on 16 February 2010 (Inspection Report #187237), and ask —
(1) How long does it take on average for WorkSafe to —
(a) commence an investigation after receiving a complaint; and
(b) investigate a complaint?
(2) How long did it take to commence investigation of this complaint?
(3) What was the duration of the investigation?
(4) What is WorkSafe’s policy on conducting site visits to construction and/or fabrication sites that have been the subject of a complaint?
(5) Did the investigation of this complaint include a site visit?
(6) If no to (5), why not?
(7) Does WorkSafe prioritise reports of dangerous work practices at companies and sites that have previously required WorkSafe intervention?
(8) If yes to (7), why?
(9) What follow-up activities does WorkSafe do, to confirm that safety practices at a company/site have changed as the result of WorkSafe intervention?
(10) What obligations does WorkSafe have, to inform and protect the identity of a person who has made a complaint about a company/site?
Hon NORMAN MOORE replied:
(1) (a) I have been advised that the computer system of the WorkSafe Division, Department of Commerce cannot provide statistics to calculate an average.
(b) For 2009, 10 — 16 days from receipt of the OSH Enquiry.
(2) Six days.
(3) The investigation was commenced and completed on 22/2/2010. The investigation was reconsidered on 21/4/10 and completed on 28/4/2010.
(4) WorkSafe's response to complaints depends on matters such as the seriousness and immediacy of a risk to safety, nature of the issues, WorkSafe's knowledge about the workplace and how resources can be most efficiently used.
(5) Yes, when further investigation was conducted in April 2010.
(6) Please refer to (5).
(7) Yes.
(8) Allocation of inspector resources is prioritised according to the nature of the issues, the severity and immediacy of the matter and existing knowledge of the workplace which is then compared to other concurrent requests for inspector attendance at workplaces.
(9) S48 (5) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that the WorkSafe Western Australian Commissioner is notified upon requirements of an improvement notice being satisfied. WorkSafe has procedures to audit the notifications for compliance and revisit workplaces. WorkSafe also considers further information from workplace participants.
(10) WorkSafe Inspectors meet the requirements of article 15(c) of the ILO Convention 81, concerning the confidentiality of the source of complaints. WorkSafe officers also abide by the Western Australian Public Sector Code of Ethics and the Department of Commerce Code of Conduct.