(1) Where a coroner holds an inquest into the death of a person whose death may have been caused by an accident or a disease of which notice is required under this Act, the coroner shall, at least 4 days before holding the inquest, submit to the Department of Labour notice in writing of the time and place of holding the inquest and an authorized officer shall be authorized to be present at and to watch the inquest on behalf of the Department of Labour.
(2) The following provisions shall have effect with respect to an inquest held under this section—
(a) a person having a personal interest in or employed in or about or in the management of the place of employment in or about which the accident or disease occurred or was contracted, shall not be qualified to serve on the jury empanelled on the inquest;
(b) it shall be the duty of the coroner or other officer not to summon any person disqualified under paragraph (a), and it shall be the duty of the coroner not to allow any such person to be sworn or to sit on the jury;
(c) the following persons shall, subject to the power of the coroner to disallow any question which in his or her opinion is not relevant or is otherwise not a proper question, be entitled to examine any witness either in person or by counsel, solicitor or agent that is to say—
(i) any authorized officer,
(ii) any relation of the person in respect of whose death the inquest is being held,
(iii) the occupier of the workplace in which the accident or disease occurred or was contracted,
(iv) the employer of the deceased,
(v) any person appointed in writing by the majority of the persons employed in the workplace in which the accident or disease occurred or was contracted,
(vi) 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 or her death belonged or to which any person employed in the workplace in which the accident occurred or the disease was contracted, belongs,
(vii) any association of employers of which the said employer is a member.
(3) Where at such inquest the Department of Labour is not present and there is evidence of any neglect as having caused or contributed to the accident or disease, or of any defect in or about the place of employment appearing to the coroner to require a remedy, the coroner shall send to the Department of Labour notice in writing of the neglect or defect.