WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ian Hannah) v Keough's Plant Hire Pty Ltd [2005] NSWIRComm 118

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ian Hannah) v Keough's Plant Hire Pty Ltd [2005] NSWIRComm 118

APPELLANT WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ian Hannah) PARTIES: RESPONDENT Keough's Plant Hire Pty Ltd

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 4771 of 2004

CORAM: Walton J Vice-President; Marks J; Backman J

CATCHWORDS: Appeal - breach of OH&S Act - whether monetary penalty imposed was sufficient - magistrate imposed penalty based on local court limitations - objective seriousness of offence - plea of guilty - appropriate penalty exceeds the jurisdiction of an Industrial Magistrate - penalty fixed was manifestly inadequate - proper principles in fixing penalties - whether applicant can appeal as of right or must seek leave - order of magistrate set aside - penalty imposed.

Crimes (Local Courts and Appeal Review) Act 2001 ss 23 56 Fines Act s 10 LEGISLATION CITED: Industrial Relations Act 1996 s 197(1) & (2) Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 s 8(1)

Capral Aluminium Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Drake Personnel Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 432 NSWIRComm 341 Inspector Gregory Maddaford v Coleman [2004] NSWIRComm 317 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 CASES CITED: R v Doan (2000) 50 NSWLR 115 Ridge Consolidated Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mauger) (2002) 115 IR 78 U-RECT-IT Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector de Silva) [2004] NSWIRComm 266 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mansell) v Orica Australia Pty Ltd (2002) 116 IR 158