SafeWork NSW v Mars Commercial Pty Ltd [2023] NSWDC 531

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Mars Commercial Pty Ltd [2023] NSWDC 531 Hearing dates: 21 November 2023 Date of orders: 01 December 2023 Decision date: 01 December 2023 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $550,000 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty. (3) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $412,500. (4) Pursuant to s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), 50% of the fine imposed is to be paid to the prosecutor. (5) Pursuant to s 257B of the Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), the defendant is to pay the prosecutor's costs, as agreed or assessed. (6) Pursuant to s 241 of the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW) the defendant is to arrange for Eleftherios Gavriilidis and two other senior employees who engage in or are likely to be engaged in supervisory work, to complete a Certificate IV in Work Health and Safety by 21 November 2024. (7) The defendant is the provide the prosecutor with evidence as to the completion of the above order as soon as practicable and at the latest by 30 November 2024. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – risk of death or serious injury – maximum penalty 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 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) Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Environmental Protection Authority v Barnes [2006] NSWCCA 246 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 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 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 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd [2018] NSWDC 398 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 Saunders Civil Build Pty Limited v SafeWork NSW [2023] NSWCCA 261 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 Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Mars Commercial Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr M Scott (for the Prosecutor) Mr M Cahill (for the Defendant)