Cap. 424 Art. 9Functions of the Authority.

(1) The Authority shall have such functions in respect of its structures as are set out in this Act and such other functions as may devolve upon it under any other law, or as may be assigned to it by the Minister.

(2) It shall be the function of the Authority to -

(a) apply the provisions of this Act and of any regulations or orders made thereunder;

(b) establish strategies in consultation with the Chief Executive Officer, by which the general national policy relating to occupational health and safety, indicated to it by the Minister, may be implemented;

(c) advise the Minister regarding the making of regulations to promote, maintain and protect a high level of occupational health and safety;

(d) monitor compliance with relevant occupational health and safety legislation and to take enforcement action;

(e) prepare regulations or Codes of Practice required to promote, maintain and protect a high level of occupational health and safety: Provided that the Authority may appoint for this purpose, committees or sub-committees and it may co-opt on such committees or sub-committees competent persons from outside its membership, who, in the opinion of the Authority, have professional or expert knowledge on any matter dealt with under this Act; so however that the co-opted members shall not have a vote on any matter before a committee or subcommittee;

(f) promote the dissemination of information regarding occupational health and safety, and the methods required to prevent occupational injury, ill health or death;

(g) promote education and training on occupational health and safety, and emergency and first aid response at work places;

(h) collate and analyse data and statistics on occupational injuries, ill health and deaths, and on matters ancillary to occupational health and safety: Provided that the Authority may request data or information on any matter related to occupational health and safety, and such data or information shall be provided forthwith: Provided further that any such data or information shall be deemed to have been given and received under the obligation of confidentiality;

(i) keep registers of such plant, installations, equipment, machinery, articles, substances, or chemicals and intended for use at work which in the opinion of the Authority provide a serious occupational health and safety risk;

(j) carry out any investigation on any matter concerning occupational health and safety, including but not limited to the investigation of any accident, injury, disease or death occurring as a result, or by reason of, any association with work, as well as investigations to ascertain the level of occupational health and safety provided at any work place, and the duty of the Authority to secure the enforcement of any provision of this Act shall not be reason to debar the carrying out of such investigations: Provided that the Authority may appoint competent persons as far as possible from the register mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) to assist it in any investigations and to accompany its officials during an investigation;

(k) promote and carry out scientific research aimed at better methods of preventing occupational ill health, injury, or death;

(l) keep registers of persons competent to give advice on matters related to occupational health and safety: Provided that the Authority may determine the minimum qualifications required before the name of a person may be entered into the register.

(3) The Authority shall take over, consolidate, and as appropriate, expand the occupational health and safety inspectorate and enforcement functions and services carried out by the Government immediately before the date of coming into force of article 8, and for this purpose such property, equipment, materials, records and documents ancillary thereto are being hereby vested in the Authority.

(4) The Authority shall establish co-operation with any Ministry, Government department or other organisation, whether local or overseas, to promote and ensure the health and safety of all persons at work.

(5) The Authority may also undertake such other activity it may deem necessary or expedient for the purposes of its functions and objectives under this Act.

(6) The Authority may, with the approval of the Minister, act as an agent or otherwise on behalf of other persons for any matter related to occupational health and safety.