South Australian Current Acts

WORK HEALTH AND SAFETY ACT 2012 - SECT 271

271—Confidentiality of information

        (1)         This section applies if a person obtains information or gains access to a document in exercising any power or function under this Act (other than under Part 7).

        (2)         The person must not do any of the following:

            (a)         disclose to anyone else—

                  (i)         the information; or

                  (ii)         the contents of or information contained in the document;

            (b)         give access to the document to anyone else;

            (c)         use the information or document for any purpose.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$10 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$50 000.

        (3)         Subsection (2) does not apply to the disclosure of information, or the giving of access to a document or the use of information or a document—

            (a)         about a person, with the person's consent; or

            (b)         that is necessary for the exercise of a power or function under this Act; or

            (c)         that is made or given by the regulator or a person authorised by the regulator if the regulator reasonably believes the disclosure, access or use—

                  (i)         is necessary for administering, or monitoring or enforcing compliance with, this Act; or

                  (ii)         is necessary for the administration or enforcement of another Act prescribed by the regulations; or

                  (iii)         is necessary for the administration or enforcement of another Act or law, if the disclosure, access or use is necessary to lessen or prevent a serious risk to public health or safety; or

                  (iv)         is necessary for the recognition of authorisations under a corresponding WHS law; or

                  (v)         is required for the exercise of a power or function under a corresponding WHS law; or

            (d)         that is required by any court, tribunal, authority or person having lawful authority to require the production of documents or the answering of questions; or

            (e)         that is required or authorised under a law; or

            (f)         to a Minister.

        (4)         A person must not intentionally disclose to another person the name of an individual who has made a complaint in relation to that other person unless—

            (a)         the disclosure is made with the consent of the complainant; or

            (b)         the disclosure is required under a law.

Maximum penalty:

            (a)         in the case of an individual—$10 000;

            (b)         in the case of a body corporate—$50 000.