Introduction to Fire Safety Management

15.3.14 Sections 18 and 19
These sections cover the responsibilities for enforcement 
of the HSW Act and supporting regulations by the HSE 
and the local authorities and are expanded by the Health 
and Safety (Enforcing Authority) Regulations 1989.
15.3.15 Sections 20 to 25
These sections cover the appointment and powers of 
inspectors responsible for the enforcement of the HSW 
Act and supporting regulations.
Appointed inspectors have the following general 
powers:
➤
enter any premises at any reasonable time
➤
take a constable with them if necessary
➤
take another authorised person with them and to 
take any equipment or material needed for the pur-
poses of their entry
➤
make any necessary investigations or examinations
➤
direct that premises or anything in them are left 
undisturbed
➤
take measurements, photographs and recordings as 
necessary

---

Introduction to Fire Safety Management
348
➤
take samples of articles or substances
➤
require articles or substances to be dismantled and 
tested as necessary
➤
take possession of articles or substances as 
necessary
➤
require any person to give them information, to 
answer questions as necessary and to sign a decla-
ration of the truth of their answers
➤
inspect and take copies of documents
➤
require facilities and assistance as necessary to 
exercise their powers
➤
do anything else necessary to exercise their powers.
In addition to the above, appointed inspectors have the 
following specifi c powers:
➤
the power to serve enforcement notices
➤
the power to seize, destroy or render harmless any 
article or substance which the inspector believes is a 
cause of imminent danger or serious personal injury.