What rights do health and safety inspectors have to question me or my employer?

The Health and Safety Executive is the operational arm of the Health and Safety Commission and has the day to day responsibility for the enforcement of health and safety law.

HSE inspectors have the power to:

• enter premises
• inspect and investigate
• take measurements, samples and photographs
• require an area or machine to be left undisturbed
• seize, render harmless or destroy dangerous items
• obtain information and take statements

They also have the power to issue improvement and prohibition notices and can bring prosecutions against any person contravening a relevant statutory provision.