SafeWork NSW v Carbon BMC Pty Ltd (ACN 630 546 833) [2023] NSWDC 349

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Carbon BMC Pty Ltd (ACN 630 546 833) [2023] NSWDC 349 Hearing dates: 22 August 2023 Date of orders: 1 September 2023 Decision date: 01 September 2023 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $600,000.00 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty, leaving a fine of $450,000.00. (3) In exercising my discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), that fine will be reduced by 1/3rd. (4) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $300,000.00. (5) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (6) Pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury SENTENCE – objective seriousness – mitigating factors – aggravating factors – plea of guilty – appropriate discount for the utility of the plea – general deterrence – specific deterrence – remorse and contrition – maximum penalties – capacity to pay COSTS – prosecutor's costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW) Fines Act 1996 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) Work Health and Safety Regulation 2017 (NSW) Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash (2016) NSWLR 338 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Environmental Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 188 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing (No 2), Callaghan v CI & D Industries Pty Limited (No 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Inspector Beacham v J & L Marble Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 100 Inspector Fraser v Karabelas (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 153 Jahandideh v R [2014] NSWCCA 178 Kirk v Industrial Commission of New South Wales [2010] HCA 1 Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd (2004) 137 IR 310 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 147 IR 117 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson & Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 SafeWork NSW v CRS NSW Pty Ltd; and SafeWork NSW v JA Investment Group Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 569 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 398 SafeWork NSW v Harris Holdings NSW Pty Ltd [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v Harry Zizikas [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 SafeWork NSW v JPS Car Wash Management Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 148 SafeWork NSW v MMP Industrial Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 854 SafeWork NSW v Plasser Australia Pty Ltd [2021] NSWDC 441 SafeWork NSW v SRS Star Management Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Sarjeet Sidhu [2021] NSWDC 148 SafeWork NSW v Cosentino Australia Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 182 Unity Pty Limited v SafeWork NSW [2018] NSWCCA 266 Veen v R (No 2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 Texts Cited: Code of Practice Managing Risks of Hazardous Chemicals in the Workplace, July 2014 (SafeWork NSW) Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Carbon BMC Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr N Read (for the Prosecutor) Mr M Cole (for the Defendant)