(1) Subject to
subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act, an authorised officer may
at any reasonable time—
(a)
enter and search any premises; and
(b)
stop, enter and search any vessel or vehicle; and
(c) open
any container, package or other item found in the premises, vessel or vehicle;
and
(d) make
any inspection; and
(e)
conduct any analysis or test; and
(f) take
any samples; and
(g)
examine, copy and take extracts from any books or documents; and
(h) take
any books or documents; and
(i)
seize and remove anything that constitutes evidence of an
offence against this Act; and
(j) take
photographs, films or video recordings; and
(k) take
measurements and make notes; and
(l) give
directions reasonably required in connection with the exercise of a power
conferred by any of the above paragraphs or otherwise in connection with the
administration, operation or enforcement of this Act.
(2) The following
powers may only be exercised with the authority of a warrant issued by a
magistrate:
(a) the
power to enter and search—
(i)
premises that are not, or that are not reasonably
suspected of being, a workplace; or
(ii)
any part of a workplace that is used only for residential
purposes;
(b) the
power to stop, enter and search a vessel or vehicle that is not a workplace;
(c) the
powers under subsection (1)(c) and (i), insofar as they relate to items
or things found in a vessel or vehicle that is not a workplace or in premises
that are not, or are not reasonably suspected of being, a workplace,
(and the requirement for a power under subsection (1) to be exercised at
a reasonable time does not apply if the power is exercised under the authority
of, and in accordance with, a warrant).
(3) A person who,
without reasonable excuse, fails to comply with a direction of an authorised
officer under this section is guilty of an offence.
Maximum penalty: $20 000.
(4) The powers
conferred by subsection (1) must be exercised so as to avoid any
unnecessary disruption of, or interference with, the conduct of business or
performance of work.
(5) In this
section—
"workplace" has the same meaning as in the Work Health and Safety
Act 2012 .