Three officials were allegedly prevented from boarding the semi-submersible floating oil rig, Ocean Patriot at Portland, western Victoria last week. The rig is in Portland for a major refit.

Victoria’s Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, allows authorised representatives of registered employee organisations (ARREOs) to visit workplaces if they reasonably suspect a contravention of the Act or the regulations has occurred or is occurring.

Obstruction and hindering an ARREO is an offence. If prosecuted, the company could be fined more than $30,000. Individuals can be fined more than $6000.

WorkSafe executive director, John Merritt, said the ARREO system had been working well since it was introduced in mid 2005.

“ARREOs play an important role in the state’s workplace health and safety system as they identify health and safety risks and breaches and raise the issues with employers or WorkSafe,” Merritt said.

“They can help improve workplace safety consultation to ensure safety risks are minimised.”

Merritt said only eight matters involving ARREOs have been reported to WorkSafe since this section of the Act (Part 8 - Sections 79 to 94) took effect in mid-2005.

“Where their authorisation to visit workplaces has been challenged, WorkSafe has been able to explain their powers and function and enable access,” he said.

WorkSafe inspectors visited the Ocean Patriot last Friday when they issued four improvement notices covering working at height and a range of electrical safety issues.

The notices were complied with by Sunday when the WorkSafe inspectors returned.