SafeWork NSW v Form Group NSW Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 562

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: SafeWork NSW v Form Group NSW Pty Ltd [2024] NSWDC 562 Hearing dates: 11 September 2024 Date of orders: 28 November 2024 Decision date: 28 November 2024 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Strathdee DCJ Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted. (2) The appropriate fine for the offence is $300,000 and that will be reduced by 25% to reflect the plea of guilty, leaving a fine of $225,000. (3) In exercising my discretion under s 6 of the Fines Act 1996 (NSW), that fine will be reduced by 20%. (4) Accordingly, I order the defendant to pay a fine of $180,000. (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 – 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 OTHER – cranes – exclusion zones – duties of dogman COSTS – prosecutor's costs COSTS – capacity to pay - s 6 of the Fines Act – onus of proof Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW), ss 3A, 21A, 22 Criminal Procedure Act 1986 (NSW), s 257B Fines Act 1996 (NSW), ss 6, 122 Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (NSW), ss 3, 19(1), 31, 32, 46 Cases Cited: Bulga Underground Operations Pty Ltd v Nash (2016) 93 NSWLR 338; [2016] NSWCCA 37 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; [2000] NSWIRComm 71 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 Pty Limited (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 Latoudis v Casey [1990] HCA 59; (1990) 170 CLR 534 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 228 CLR 357; [2005] HCA 25 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd (2004) 137 IR 310; [2004] NSWIRComm 353 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) (2005) 147 IR 117; [2005] NSWIRComm 61 Muldrock v The Queen (2011) 244 CLR 120; [2011] HCA 39 Nash v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd; Attorney General for New South Wales v Silver City Drilling (NSW) Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCCA 96 Orbit Drilling Pty Ltd v The Queen (2012) 35 VR 399; [2012] VSCA 82 R v Cage [2006] NSWCCA 304 R v MA (2004) 145 A Crim R 434; [2004] NSWCCA 92 R v Miria [2009] NSWCCA 68 R v MMK (2006) 164 A Crim R 481; [2006] NSWCCA 272 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; [2000] NSWCCA 309 R v Youkhana [2004] NSWCCA 412 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 SafeWork NSW v Dynamic Formwork Group Pty Ltd [2022] NSWDC 11 SafeWork NSW v Harris Holdings NSW Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Harry Zizikas [2017] NSWDC 299 SafeWork NSW v HCM Building Pty Ltd [2019] NSWDC 632 SafeWork NSW v Cosentino Australia Pty Ltd (No 2) [2018] NSWDC 182 SafeWork NSW v Grandcity Constructions Pty Ltd; SafeWork NSW v Cai [2018] NSWDC 398 Unity Pty Limited v SafeWork NSW [2018] NSWCCA 266 Veen v R (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 WorkCover Authority of NSW v Sarjame Storage Pty Ltd [2015] NSWDC 151 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 49 NSWLR 700; [2000] NSWIRComm 142 Texts Cited: SafeWork NSW Code of Practice Construction Work (August 2019) Safe Work Australia's, General Guide for Cranes, dated December 2015 Australian Standard 2550.1.11: Crane, hoists and winches - Sale Use Category: Sentence Parties: SafeWork NSW (Prosecutor) Form Group NSW Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: D Nagle (Prosecutor) B Eurell (Defendant)