Singapore legislation

Clause 26

Minister may direct inquiry to be held

(1)

The Minister may appoint an Inquiry Committee to hold an inquiry into any accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease that has occurred in a workplace and into its causes and circumstances, and direct that the Committee reports its findings to the Minister.

(2)

The Inquiry Committee referred to in subsection (1) shall comprise —

(a)

a District Judge appointed by the Minister after consulting the Senior District Judge; and

(b)

one or more assessors appointed by the Minister.

(3)

The Inquiry Committee shall hold the inquiry in open court in such manner and under such conditions as it thinks most effectual for —

(a)

ascertaining the causes and circumstances of the accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease; and

(b)

enabling it to make the report to the Minister.

(4)

The Inquiry Committee shall have, for the purposes of the inquiry —

(a)

all the powers of a District Court when trying offences under this Act;

(b)

all the powers of an inspector under this Act; and

(c)

all of the following powers:

(i)

to enter and inspect any premises, the entry or inspection of which appears to the Inquiry Committee requisite for the purposes of the inquiry;

(ii)

by summons signed by the District Judge, to require attendance of all such persons as the Inquiry Committee thinks fit to call before it and examine and to require answers or returns to such inquiries it thinks fit;

(iii)

to require the production of all books, papers and documents which the Inquiry Committee considers important for the purposes of the inquiry; and

(iv)

to administer oaths and to require any person examined to make and sign a declaration of the truth of the statements made by him in his examination.

(5)

Upon conclusion of its inquiry, the Inquiry Committee shall make a report to the Minister —

(a)

stating the causes of the accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease and their circumstances; and

(b)

adding any observations or recommendations which the Inquiry Committee thinks appropriate to make.

(6)

If the District Judge is of the opinion that criminal proceedings ought to be instituted against any person in connection with the accident, dangerous occurrence or occupational disease, he shall also forward a copy of the report to the Public Prosecutor.

(7)

Any person who —

(a)

fails to comply with any summons, order or requisition of the District Judge; or

(b)

prevents or impedes the Inquiry Committee in the execution of its duties,shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000.

(8)

It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under subsection (7)(a) to prove that he had a reasonable excuse for failing to comply with the summons, order or requisition of the District Judge.

(9)

The Minister may cause the report of the Inquiry Committee to be made public at such time and in such manner as he thinks fit.

Read in full context — Workplace Safety and Health Bill →