Inspectors may exercise the powers set out in Section 20 of The HSWA ect.1974

1. To enter premises, at almost any time, where it is believed that a dangerous state exists. A police officer may be taken along to help gain entry if required
2. To carry out any necessary investigations and examinations - taking photographs, drawings and measurements of premises or items within them, taking samples of articles/substances and of the atmosphere, etc
3. To direct that premises (in whole or in part) or items within the premises shall be left undisturbed for as long as required to make specialist examination
4. To dismantle and/or test any item or substance which they decide is harmful to health
5. To take statements from persons involved with an incident or accident. Interviewees must answer any questions and sign a statement of their answers, although these are not admissible as evidence in any subsequent proceedings against that person
6. To inspect any documents, books or records considered relevant to the investigation
7. To seize and render harmless any articles/substances found to be very dangerous in respect of causing personal injury

Inspectors may exercise the powers set out in Section 21 of The HSWA ect. 1974

If an inspector is of the opinion that a person is contravening one or more of the relevant statutory provisions or has contravened one or more of those provisions in circumstances that make it likely that the contravention will continue or be repeated, an "Improvement Notice" may be served requiring that person to remedy the contravention in a given time scale.

Inspectors may exercise the powers set out in Section 22 of The HSWA ect. 1974

If an inspector is of the opinion that a person carrying out activities will involve a risk of serious personal injury or personal injury is imminent, the inspector may serve a "Prohibition Notice" which will have immediate effect.

One of the most important tips that we could recommend for the NEBOSH Certificate is to learn the typical examination 'Action Verbs' which are as follows:

Define - provide a generally recognised or accepted definition

Describe - give a word picture

Explain - give a clear account of, or reasons for

Give - provide without explanation (used normally with the instruction to 'give an example [or examples] of ...')

Identify - select and name

List - provide a list without explanation

Outline - give the most important features of (less depth than either 'explain' or 'describe', but more depth than 'list')

Sketch - provide a simple line drawing using labels to identify specific features

State - a less demanding form of 'define', or where there is no generally recognised definition

Eight Principles of Good Practice for the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health

The COSHH Regulations define good control practice in schedule 2a as follows: 

1. Design and operate processes and activities to minimise emission, release and spread of substances hazardous to health
2. Take into account all relevant routes of exposure - inhalation, skin absorption and ingestion - when developing control measures
3. Control exposure by measures that are proportionate to the health risk
4. Choose the most effective and reliable control options which minimise the escape and spread of substances hazardous to health
5. Where adequate control of exposure cannot be achieved by other means, provide, in combination with other control measures, suitable personal protective equipment
6. Check and review regularly all elements of control measures for their continuing effectiveness
7. Inform and train all employees on the hazards and risks from the substances with which they work and the use of control measures developed to minimise the risks
8. Ensure that the introduction of control measures does not increase the overall risk to health and safety

The information on this web page relating to the Eight Principles of Good Practice is produced with the permission of the Health and Safety Executive and remains Crown Copyright.

The source of this information is courtesy of Health and Safety Executive.

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HEALTH AND SAFETY AT WORK ETC ACT 1974

Part 1 relates to HW&W at the workplace
Part 2 relates to EMAS
Part 3 relates to Building Regs
Part 4 contains misc. & general provisions

PRACTICABLE – capable of being carried out or feasible (given current knowledge, finance, information etc.)

REASONABLY PRACTICABLE – must be technically possible, and the risk assessed against the cost. Where cost is disproportionately high, can be deemed not to be reasonably practical.

H&S Inspectorate powers include: Investigation, Advisory, Enforcement (Imp. Not, Pro. Not, Seize/destroy substances/articles, Prosecute)

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