Inspector Kenneth Vassell v Boral Construction Materials Limited [2004] NSWIRComm 29

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Kenneth Vassell v Boral Construction Materials Limited [2004] NSWIRComm 29 PROSECUTOR: Inspector Kenneth Vassell PARTIES : DEFENDANT: Boral Construction Materials Limited (ACN 000 614 826) FILE NUMBER: IRC 1748 of 2001 CORAM: Schmidt J Occupational Health and Safety - prosecution under section 15(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - fatality - no witnesses to accident - loading and unloading of twin drum steel loaders - seat belt policy - seat belt policy not strictly enforced by defendant - expert evidence - causal connection established - charges made out - defendant found guilty of offence charged CATCHWORDS : Evidence - requirements of section 65 and section 41E of the Evidence Act 1995 - whether adequate effort was made by prosecutor to find witness or secure his attendance

LEGISLATION CITED : Evidence Act 1995 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 Caterpillar Inc. v John Deere Limited (No 2) (2000) 181 ALR 108 CASES CITED : Ludowici Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Kalanithy) (2000) 102 IR 347 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Insp Egan) v ATCO Controls Pty Limited (1998) 82 IR 80 HEARING DATES: 03/12/2002; 03/13/2002; 03/14/2002; 11/04/2002; 11/15/2002; 11/27/2002; 11/28/2002; 03/25/2003; 04/04/2003; 06/20/2003; 08/27/2003; 08/29/2003; 12/16/2003; 12/18/2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 02/27/2004