Enforcement
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Inspectors are given the task of ensuring workplaces and employers are meeting occupational health and safety standards. Through enforcement techniques inspectors certify that workers are protected from being subjected to environments that are dangerous or may cause harm. Two contrasting approaches of enforcement include that of punitive and persuasive. Both of these methods have associated benefits and problems, which inspectors and employers need to be aware of. There has been an extensive debate of which approach is recommended. The argument is concerned of whether it is best to advise and persuade employers to comply with standards or whether it is best to punish them for not doing so (Professor Johnstone 2003). An enforcement pyramid has been designed to assist inspectors when choosing the preferable method of when to show authority, providing a step by step guide of which enforcement approaches to use when. Strategies that are used to enforce legislation include punitive methods such as on the spot fines, and methods that incorporate persuasive techniques such as Tit for Tat. Like other techniques, these strategies also have benefits and problems, which may be better suited to certain businesses depending on their size.
'The role of enforcement is to contribute to the improvement of OHS by ensuring compliance with OHS legislation' (Professor Johnstone 2003)...