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Inquest in case of death by accident or disease at work.
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56.—Where a coroner holds an inquest on the body of any person whose death may have been caused by an accident which occurred or a disease which was contracted at a place of work, the following provisions shall have effect—
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(a) the coroner shall adjourn the inquest unless—
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(i) an inspector or some other person appearing on behalf of the Authority or an enforcing agency, as the case may be, is present to watch the proceedings, or
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(ii) in case the inquest relates to the death of not more than one person and the coroner has sent to the Authority or to an enforcing agency, as the case may be, notice of the time and place of holding the inquest at such time as to reach the Authority or an enforcing agency not less than twenty-four hours before the time of holding the inquest, the majority of the jury think it unnecessary to adjourn the inquest;
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(b) if the coroner adjourns the inquest—
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(i) he may, before the adjournment, take evidence to identify the body and may order the interment of the body,
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(ii) he shall, at least four days before holding the adjourned inquest, send to the Authority or to an enforcing agency, as the case may be, notice in writing of the time and place of holding the adjourned inquest;
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(c) no person having a personal interest in or employed in or about or in the management of the place of work in or about which the accident or disease occurred or was contracted shall be qualified to serve on the jury;
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(d) it shall be the duty of the person summoning the jury not to summon any person disqualified under paragraph (c) of this section and it shall be the duty of the coroner not to allow any such person to be sworn or to sit on the jury;
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(e) the following persons shall, subject to the power of the coroner to disallow any question which in his opinion is not relevant or is otherwise not a proper question, be entitled to examine any witness either in person or by counsel or solicitor—
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(i) an inspector or any other person appearing on behalf of the Authority or an enforcing agency, as the case may be,
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(ii) any relation or friend of the person in respect of whose death the inquest is being held,
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(iii) the employer at the place of work in which the accident or disease occurred or was contracted,
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(iv) any person appointed in writing by the majority of the persons employed at the place of work,
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(v) any person appointed in writing by any trade union, friendly society or other association of persons to which the deceased at the time of his death belonged or to which any person employed in the place of work belongs,
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(vi) any person appointed in writing by any association of employers of which the employer at the place of work is a member;
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(f) where an inspector or a person on behalf of the Authority or an enforcing agency, as the case may be, is not present at the inquest and evidence is given of any neglect having caused or contributed to the accident or disease, or of any defect in or about the place of work appearing to the coroner or jury to require a remedy, the coroner shall send to the Authority or to an enforcing agency, as the case may be, notice in writing of the neglect or defect.
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