Fake inspector prompts alert from SafeWork SA

Quick answer: SafeWork SA has issued a warning to employers after a man impersonated an inspector and ran a roadside drug and alcohol test on two workers at Victor Harbor on 19 July 2025. Posing as an official under the Work Health and Safety Act 2012 (SA) is an offence carrying a maximum fine of $10,000.

Fake inspector prompts alert from SafeWork SA

South Australia’s work health and safety regulator, SafeWork SA, has recently issued an alert after a man pretended to be an inspector and conducted a roadside drug and alcohol test on two employees.

SafeWork SA said the workers were engaged in earthworks at Victor Harbor when, at 1:30 AM on July 19, 2025, a man approached them claiming to be a SafeWork SA inspector.

“He produced fake identification and then conducted an alcotest and saliva test on the unsuspecting pair,” SafeWork SA stated.

“The imposter, who was wearing high visibility clothing, spoke briefly to the workers before walking a short distance and driving off in a car.”

SafeWork SA was notified about the incident by the employer, and the matter has been referred to police. Details of the case were circulated publicly in August this year.

According to the Work Health and Safety Act 2012, impersonating an inspector is prohibited, and the highest penalty for this offence is a fine of $10,000. More details can be found on the SafeWork SA website.

Why an impersonated inspector is a serious security risk

Letting an unverified visitor collect biological samples creates privacy, security and safety exposure for any employer. Night shift crews on isolated earthworks or civil construction projects carry extra risk, because supervisors are frequently off site and identity checks get rushed.

How to verify a genuine SafeWork SA inspector

Real inspectors carry government-issued identity cards, and any legitimate workplace visit can be confirmed by phoning the regulator before tools go down. Site managers should:

• Request photo identification, then record the name, card number and vehicle registration.
• Phone SafeWork SA on 1300 365 255 before granting access to any hazardous work area.
• Escort every visitor, especially near live electrical equipment, open trenches or moving plant.
• Alert police about suspicious behaviour and brief the health and safety representative on duty.

Lessons for construction and electrical contractors

Scammers impersonating as inspectors can reach secure compounds, tools and confidential records. Construction supervisors, electrical contractors and manufacturers should treat unannounced visits as a controlled event backed by written procedures.

Clear verification steps lower risk during shutdowns, when large numbers of subcontractors move across construction zones and past electrical isolation points. Formal sign-in registers, radio contact with the site office and toolbox briefings give front-line teams confidence to challenge anyone whose credentials look wrong.

Build inspector verification into your safety system

Documented procedures help teams respond calmly under pressure. SafetyDocs by SafetyCulture supplies editable templates for construction and electrical trades, covering hazardous manual tasks, inspections and remote arrangements — including the Building Inspector SWMS, the Working from Home Management Plan and the Cleaning Without Adequate Ventilation SafeWork Method Statement.

Further reading: Underground blaze triggers explosives alert from SafeWork SA, Fall from roof prompts a SafeWork SA warning and Fatal firework blast prompts an alert from WorkSafe.

Verification habits protect crews wherever duties take them — on a construction site, inside a switchroom during electrical maintenance, or across a manufacturing floor. Treating identity fraud as a genuine risk, rather than a curiosity, keeps sampling, records and people properly protected.