Inspector Jorgensen v Christopher John O'Keeffe and CJ & SJ O'Keeffe. [2005] NSWIRComm 185

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION: Inspector Jorgensen v Christopher John O'Keeffe and CJ & SJ O'Keeffe. [2005] NSWIRComm 185

PROSECUTOR: Inspector Paul Jorgensen

PARTIES: DEFENDANTS: Christopher John O'Keeffe and CJ & SJ O'Keeffe Building Pty Ltd.

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 2720 and 2721 of 2003

CORAM: Haylen J

Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - s 16 and s 50 - corporation and director found guilty of breach of s 16 in contested proceedings - serious breach established - evidence of strained financial position of defendants - s 6 Fines Act - family business - fine to be paid from personal resources - grounds established to significantly reduce penalty - other subjective factors present - global approach to penalty appropriate - penalty divided between personal and corporate defendant.

CATCHWORDS: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 - s 10 - application for bond for director breaching Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - no basis established for exercise of discretion - application refused

Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority (2004) 135 IR 317 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing Pty Limited (1995) 60 IR at 445 Ferguson v Nelmac (1999) 92 IR 188 Inspector Farrell v Schrader (2002) 112 IR 284 Riley v Australian Grader Hire Pty Limited (2000) 103 IR 143 CASES CITED: Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Dall) v Fitzpatrick (2002) 121 IR 173 Warman International Limited v WorkCover (1998) 80 IR 326 at 339 WorkCover Authority v R & D Enterprises (Newcastle) Pty Limited (2001) 110 IR 469