Insp Plowright v Peter J Davis (Newcastle) Pty Limited [2001] NSWIRComm 322

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Insp Plowright v Peter J Davis (Newcastle) Pty Limited [2001] NSWIRComm 322 PROSECUTION: PARTIES : Inspector Plowright DEFENDANT: Peter J Davis (Newcastle) Pty Limited FILE NUMBER: IRC562 of 2001 CORAM: Kavanagh J CATCHWORDS : S16(1) Charge - Consideration as to Penalty after liability found - Issue of culpability when other party involved in incident - Corporate reputation of company considered - Question as to level of penalty to be struck against a small business - Principle of parity to be applied to question of Penalty in the circumstances. LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector James Swee Ch'ng) IRC97/4881 (1999) 90 IR 464 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited & Anor 95 IR 383 Mainbrace Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 102 IR 84 CASES CITED : Postiglione v The Queen (1997) 189 CLR 295 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Insp McMartin) v Transfield Pty Ltd t/as Transfield Maintenance (No 2) [2001] NSWIRComm289 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384

HEARING DATES: 11/19/2001 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/06/2001

PROSECUTOR: Ms P.E. Mcdonald of counsel Solicitors: Ms M Lagana LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES: WorkCover Authority of NSW DEFENDANT: Mr R. Warren of counsel Instructed by: Newcastle Master Builders Association