New South Wales businesses are being reminded that assaulting a SafeWork inspector is illegal.

Police are currently investigating two separate incidents of alleged assault on SafeWork staff, which occurred on November 2 last year and January 17 this year.

It is a criminal offence in NSW to hinder, obstruct, assault, threaten, or intimidate an inspector.

“SafeWork staff are out there in the field to help businesses comply with health and safety legislation and to keep workers safe – any violent or aggressive behaviour displayed against our inspectors will not be tolerated,” SafeWork Regulator and Secretary of the Department of Finance, Services and Innovation, Martin Hoffman said.

“SafeWork NSW inspectors play a vital role in securing the health and safety of workers and as such they should be afforded the same level of respect and protection as every other worker,” Mr Hoffman said.

Mr Hoffman reminded both businesses and individuals of the penalties in place for those who intimidate or assault an inspector.

“The maximum penalties for persons convicted of intimating or assaulting a SafeWork NSW inspector are a $50,000 fine or imprisonment for two years or both for an individual, or in the case of a body corporate a $250,000 fine,” he said.

“All workplaces have the obligation to not just provide necessary access to the workplace, but to be honest and provide information as requested.

“We will investigate all instances of alleged intimidation and assault of SafeWork NSW inspectors, we will report such instances to NSW Police and where warranted, we will prosecute those offences,” Mr Hoffman said.