Rule 153. Inquiry under section 121

(1) In the event of the occurrence of an accident, which has caused or had the potentiality to cause serious danger to employees and other persons within, and in the vicinity of the workplace, or whether immediate or delayed, or any occupational disease as specified in the Third Schedule, which has been or is suspected to have been contracted in epidemic proportions, the State Government may appoint one or more persons possessing legal or special knowledge or competent enough to inquire into the causes of the accident or disease. They are tasked with fixing responsibilities and suggesting a plan of action to prevent such accidents or diseases in the future, submitting the report to the Government.The Chief Inspector-cum-Facilitator may appoint a committee to undertake a survey on the situation relating to safety or health at any workplace or class of workplaces or into the effect of work activity on the health of the employees and other persons within and in the vicinity of the workplace as and when required.

(2) The officer directed or committee appointed, under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), to hold an inquiry, shall have the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, for the purposes of enforcing the attendance of witnesses and compelling the production of documents and material objects for the purposes of the inquiry, exercising such powers of an Inspector-cum-Facilitator under this rule as may be necessary.