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View Full Version : Entry to workplaces by union officials regarding WHS issues - essential information for employers



Newshound
11-23-2012, 10:35 AM
From Clayton Utz

Both those with an entry permit and employers have obligations in how the right to entry is exercised.

A union official who holds a Work Health and Safety (WHS) entry permit and a Fair Work Act 2009 permit is permitted to enter workplaces to:


inquire into suspected work health and safety (WHS) contraventions that affect or relate to relevant workers (ie. a worker who is a member, or eligible to be a member of the union the WHS entry permit holder represents, whose industrial interests that union is entitled to represent and who works at the workplace entered);
inspect employee records or information held by another person, or
consult and advise relevant workers who wish to participate in discussions about WHS matters.



However, as detailed below, a WHS entry permit does not give union officials an unconditional right of entry into workplaces.

When and where can rights be exercised?

read more... (http://www.claytonutz.com/publications/edition/22_november_2012/20121122/entry_to_workplaces_by_union_officials_regarding_w hs_issues-essential_information_for_employers.page)