Full description Background
An Act providing for the inspection and regulation of boilers came into operation on 1 March 1907. The Boilers Inspection Act 1906 (6 Edw.VII, No.2071) primarily applied to each city, town and borough although provisions relating to the reporting of accidents applied also to the shires of Victoria. The Act was initially administered by the Department of Mines through the Chief Mining Inspector.
The Chief Mining Inspector also exercised responsibility for inspection of mine boilers (along with mine machinery, ventilation, sanitation, safety appliances etc.) under the Mines Act 1904, and the Coal Mines Regulation Act.
In the Report of the Royal Commission on the State Public Service, 1917, it was noted that the inspection of boilers under the Boilers Inspection Act had no necessary connection with the Mines Department as boilers used in connection with gold or coal mining operations were exempt from the operation of the Act.
Part B of the Second Schedule to the Labour and Industry Act 1953 had provided for the transfer of the Boilers Inspection Act 1958 to the administration of the Minister of Labour and Industry. On 25 November 1962 the administration of the Act was transferred from the Minister of Mines, and the Boilers Inspection Branch became a branch of the Department of Labour and Industry.
SOURCES:
Secretary for Mines and Water Supply, Annual Report 1906 (in Papers Presented to Parliament, Session 1907 Vol.2)
Secretary for Mines, Annual Report, 1907
Data time period: 1836 to 2013