SafeWork NSW v SLD Projects Pty Ltd [2022] NSWDC 574

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v SLD Projects Pty Ltd [2022] NSWDC 574 Hearing dates: 14 November 2022 Date of orders: 18 November 2022 Decision date: 18 November 2022 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Scotting DCJ Decision: 1 SLD Projects Pty Ltd is convicted. 2 The appropriate fine is one of $240,000 which will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty. 3 I impose a fine of $180,000. 4 The offender is to pay the prosecutor's costs of the proceedings, as agreed or assessed. 5 I order pursuant to s 122(2) Fines Act 1996 that 50% of the fine is to be paid to the prosecutor. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – duty of employers – risk of death or serious injury – injury to worker SENTENCING - objective seriousness - deterrence - aggravating factors - mitigating factors – penalty SENTENCING PRINCIPLES - no record of previous convictions - good prospects of rehabilitation - remorse - plea of guilty - assistance to law enforcement authorities Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 Cases Cited: Attorney-General (NSW) v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCCA 35 Attorney-General (NSW) v DSF Constructions Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCCA 33 Attorney-General (NSW) v Macmahon Mining Services Pty Ltd [2019] NSWCCA 8 Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash [2016] NSWCCA 37 Fines Act 1996 R v Borkowski (2009) 195 A Crim R 1 R v Thomson & Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 398 Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) SLD Projects Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: N Read (Prosecutor) E James (Defendant)