Inspections

The Labour Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network inspects the workplaces of member organisations to check that they are safe and that the Employment Rights Standard is being observed. An inspector may enter any workplace of a member organisation at a reasonable time, examine plant, equipment and records, take samples and photographs, interview staff in private and, where a breach is found, serve an improvement or prohibition notice.

The Inspectorate has 22 inspectors at establishment, based at the six principal sites of the Network. Its first inspection programme runs from Monday 14 September to Friday 18 December 2026 and gives priority to the sectors in which the risk of injury is highest. Every member organisation will be inspected at least once in the first year of the Department's operation.

First inspection cycle. Ninety-six inspections are planned across the six sectors below. Inspections that follow a report of a serious concern, and inspections of notifiable incidents, are made in addition to the programme.

What happens during an inspection. Inspections follow the five stages below. The same procedure applies whether the inspection is announced or unannounced.

1. 1

   Step 1: Notice of inspection

   The employer is normally told the date of the inspection five working days in advance and asked to make the risk assessment, training records, working time records and incident record available. No notice is given where the inspection follows a report of a serious concern.

2. 2

   Step 2: Opening meeting

   The inspector meets the employer's representative and, where one has been appointed, the safety representative, explains the scope of the inspection and confirms which areas and records will be examined.

3. 3

   Step 3: Examination of the workplace

   The inspector walks the workplace, examines plant, equipment and protective measures, and may take photographs, measurements and samples. Work continues unless the inspector directs otherwise.

4. 4

   Step 4: Examination of records and interviews

   The inspector examines the records requested and may interview staff in private. Staff must be allowed to speak to the inspector, and may not be subjected to any detriment for what they say.

5. 5

   Step 5: Closing meeting and outcome

   The inspector tells the employer what was found and what action, if any, is required. Written confirmation follows within ten working days. Where a notice is served, it is served at the closing meeting or as soon as possible afterwards.

Outcomes. Every inspection ends with one of the outcomes below, which is recorded in the register of inspections.

No action

No breach was found. The inspection is recorded and the employer is told that no action is required.

Advice

A minor shortcoming was found that the employer undertook to put right. The advice is confirmed in writing and checked at the next inspection.

Improvement notice

A breach was found that must be put right within a period fixed by the inspector, normally between ten working days and three months. The employer must confirm in writing when it has complied, and the inspector may return to check.

Prohibition notice

An activity presents a risk of serious injury and must stop at once. The notice remains in force until the inspector is satisfied that the risk has been removed and lifts it in writing.

Referral for further action

Where an employer does not comply with a notice, or where a serious breach has caused death or serious injury, the matter is referred for further action and the referral is recorded in the register.

Register of inspections. During the transition period from 10 August to 5 September 2026 the Department carried out 23 inspections under interim arrangements. Eleven resulted in no action. The twelve that resulted in advice or a notice are listed below. The register is updated as inspections under the programme are completed, and the name of the employer is recorded where a notice has been served and not complied with.

The duties of employers and the incidents that must be notified to the Department are set out on the Workplace Safety page. Figures on inspections and their outcomes are published quarterly on the Statistics page. An employer wishing to query a notice, or anyone wishing to report a concern that may warrant an inspection, may write to contact@labour.gov.vin.