67.—(1) Where an inspector is of the opinion that at any place of work there is occurring or is likely to occur any activity (whether by reference to any article or substance or otherwise) which involves or is likely to involve a risk of serious personal injury to any person, the inspector may serve a written notice (in this Act referred to as a “prohibition notice”) on the person who has or who may reasonably be presumed to have control over the activity concerned.

(2) A prohibition notice shall—

(a) state that the inspector is of the opinion referred to in subsection (1),

(b) state the reasons for that opinion,

(c) specify the activity in respect of which that opinion is held,

(d) where in his or her opinion the activity involves a contravention, or likely contravention, of any of the relevant statutory provisions, specify the relevant statutory provision,

(e) prohibit the carrying on of the activity concerned until the matters which give rise or are likely to give rise to the risk are remedied, and

(f) be signed and dated by the inspector.

(3) A prohibition notice may include directions as to the measures to be taken to remedy any contravention or matter to which the notice relates or to otherwise comply with the notice.

(4) Where there is a safety representative in a place of work in respect of which a prohibition notice is served under subsection (1), the inspector shall give a copy of the prohibition notice to the safety representative and inform the safety representative in writing where a prohibition notice is withdrawn under subsection (12).

(5) A prohibition notice shall take effect—

(a) immediately the notice is received by the person on whom it is served, or

(b) where an appeal is taken, on the later of the day next following the day on which the notice is confirmed on appeal or the appeal is withdrawn or the day specified in the notice.

(6) The bringing of an appeal against a prohibition notice which is to take effect in accordance with subsection (5) shall not have the effect of suspending the operation of the notice but the appellant may apply to the court to have the operation of the notice suspended until the appeal is disposed of and, on such application, the court may, if it thinks proper to do so, direct that the operation of the notice be suspended until the appeal is disposed of.

(7) A person aggrieved by a prohibition notice may, within 7 days beginning on the day on which the notice is served on him or her, appeal in the prescribed manner against the notice to a judge of the District Court in the district court district in which the notice was served and in determining the appeal the judge may, if he or she is satisfied that it is reasonable to do so, confirm, vary or cancel the notice.

(8) Where, on the hearing of an appeal under this section, a prohibition notice is confirmed, notwithstanding subsection (5), the judge by whom the appeal is heard may, on the application of the appellant, suspend the operation of the notice for such period as in the circumstances of the case the judge considers appropriate.

(9) A person who—

(a) appeals under subsection (7), or

(b) applies for a direction suspending the application of a prohibition notice under subsection (8),

shall at the same time notify the Authority or a person prescribed under section 33, as the case may be, of the appeal or the application and the grounds for the appeal or the application and the Authority or the person prescribed under section 33 shall be entitled to appear, be heard and adduce evidence on the hearing of the appeal or the application.

(10) A person on whom a prohibition notice has been served who is of the opinion that the matters referred to in the notice have been remedied by the date specified in the notice shall confirm in writing to the inspector that those matters have been so remedied and shall give a copy of the confirmation to the safety representative, if any.

(11) Where a person on whom a prohibition notice has been served confirms in writing to the inspector in accordance with subsection (10) that the matters referred to in the prohibition notice have been remedied, the inspector shall, on being satisfied that the matters have been so remedied, within one month of receipt of such confirmation, give written notice to the person concerned of compliance with the prohibition notice.

(12) An inspector may at any time withdraw a prohibition notice by written notice to the person on whom it was served where—

(a) the inspector is satisfied that the activity to which the notice relates no longer involves a risk of serious personal injury to any person, or

(b) the inspector is satisfied that the notice was issued in error or is incorrect in some material respect.

(13) The withdrawal of a notice under subsection (12) has effect when the notice of withdrawal is given to the person on whom the prohibition notice was served.

(14) The withdrawal of a notice under this section does not prevent the service of any other prohibition notice.