Powers of petroleum and gas inspectors

Incidents involving Queenslanders working in the petroleum or fuel gas industry or when using fuel gas often result in serious injuries which can have a significant impact on the people and businesses involved.

Inspectors and authorised officers appointed under the Petroleum and Gas (Production and Safety) Act 2004 (the Act) work with industry (including operators) and the public to help prevent injuries and achieve sustainable safety outcomes.

They do this by providing advice and direction and by:

• conducting audits, inspections, and investigations to monitor and enforce compliance with safety management plans and safety provisions of the Act
• investigating incidents
• responding to emergencies and dangerous situations
• collecting information to inform safety regulations and decision making.

Powers of inspectors

The Act provides inspectors with a range of powers to help them complete their job. This includes the power to:

• enter a place to which the Act relates
• search any part of a place
• inspect, measure, test, photograph or film any part of the place or anything at the place
• take an item or a sample at the place for analysis or testing
• copy a document at the place
• take into or onto a place any person, equipment or materials reasonably required to exercise a power
• request reasonable help and assistance
• require name and address
• require the production of documents
• require information
• seize items
• give a compliance direction
• give a dangerous situation direction.