Inspector Peter Chamberlain v Proform Systems Pty Limited [2005] NSWIRComm 403

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION: Inspector Peter Chamberlain v Proform Systems Pty Limited [2005] NSWIRComm 403

Prosecutor Inspector Peter Chamberlain PARTIES: Defendant Proform Systems Pty Limited (ACN 003 488 239)

FILE NUMBER(S): 3844 of 2003

CORAM: Backman J

CATCHWORDS: Occupational Health and Safety - sentencing of corporate defendant under s 15(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - approach to sentencing considered - maximum penalty - systems of work - obvious and foreseeable risk to safety - simple measures available to obviate the risk - consequences of the breach - general and specific deterrence - absence of prior convictions - early plea of guilty - contrition and remorse - cooperation - penalty - orders - costs.

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 LEGISLATION CITED: Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983

Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Insp Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610, 99 IR 29 Department of Mineral Resources (McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 8 Inspector Stephen Charles v Port Kembla Copper Pty Limited [2005] NSWIRComm 54 Inspector Yeung v Howie Herring & Forsyth Pty Limited & Anor [2005] NSWIRComm 266 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 CASES CITED: Maddaford v CSR Limited and Mulgoa Quarries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 337 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 79 ALJR 1048, 215 ALR 213 R v Thompson, R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383, 115 A Crim R 104 Winchester (1992) 50 A Crim R 345 WorkCover NSW (Inspector Yeung) v Thiess Pty Ltd (No 2) [2004] NSWIRComm 96