Warning to check ID of WorkSafe inspectors

WorkSafe Western Australia recently issued a warning to businesses to carefully check the identification of anyone claiming to be a WorkSafe inspector.

WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said the warning follows the discovery of a man visiting businesses in April and leaving employers with the impression that he was from WorkSafe: “The WorkSafe call centre was contacted by an employer who was confused by advice received from the man, whom he believed was representing WorkSafe.

“Over recent years we've been made aware of several instances of people who appear to be representing WorkSafe visiting workplaces and informing businesses that they need to take certain actions. In the latest instance, the man's business name contained the word 'WorkSafe', so business owners could easily have mistakenly assumed that he represented this agency. Apparently he was informing the businesses that WorkSafe required all electrical equipment to be tested and tagged and was offering to perform that service at a cost per item.

“I urge anyone in a workplace to ensure that people claiming to be from WorkSafe are genuine. All WorkSafe inspectors carry an Inspectors’ Authority Card and this should be carefully checked by anyone approached by a person claiming to be a WorkSafe inspector.

“Our inspectors do not offer services for payment, nor do they issue on-the-spot fines or anything else requiring immediate payment.”