Genner Constructions Pty Limited v Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Guillarte) [2001] NSWIRComm 267

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Genner Constructions Pty Limited v Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Guillarte) [2001] NSWIRComm 267 APPELLANT: Genner Constructions Pty Limited PARTIES : RESPONDENT: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Corrie Guillarte) FILE NUMBER: IRC 3129 of 2000 CORAM: Wright J President; Walton J Vice-President; Hungerford J Occupational health and safety - Appeal against conviction and sentence - Worker killed when run down by truck on a roadworks site - Five charges instituted against appellant under s 15(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - Appellant convicted of two charges of failing to adequately train and instruct workers - Penalty imposed - Appellant acquitted of charge of failing to provide safe system of work - Whether adequate training provided to worker - Whether "on the job" training sufficient - No formal or documented training - Instructions given to worker on the day before the accident - Worker departed from usual procedure - Whether instructions adequate - Nature of training and instruction required under Occupational Health and Safety Act considered - Held, training and instruction inadequate in the circumstances of the case - Reasonably practicable for appellant to take measures to ensure safety - Appeal dismissed - Penalty imposed. CATCHWORDS : Appeal - Nature of proceedings on appeal - Rehearing on evidence at first instance - Appellate court not bound by factual findings at first instance - Major issue for determination whether the appellant was guilty of charges for which it was convicted. Crimes Act 1900 s556A (repealed) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s10 LEGISLATION CITED : Criminal Appeal Act 1912 s5AA Industrial Relations Act 1996 s196 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s15 s47 s53 Abalos v Australian Postal Commission (1990) 171 CLR 167 Abboud v The State of New South Wales (Department of School Education) (1999) 92 IR 32 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environmental Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority (2000) 99 IR 29 Collins v State Rail Authority (1986) 5 NSWLR 209 at 215 Crown in Right of New South Wales (Department of Education and Training) v Keenan (2001) 105 IR 181 Drake Personnel Ltd v WorkCover Authority (1999) 90 IR 432 Fletcher Construction Australia Ltd v WorkCover Authority (1999) 91 IR 66 Inspector Davies v Prospect Electricity (unreported, Fisher CJ, Matter No. CT91/747, 9 November 1992) Inspector Hannah v Wonar Pty Ltd (unreported, Fisher CJ, CT 90/1214, 30 June 1992) Kennedy-Taylor (NSW) Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (2000) 102 IR 57 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (1990) 90 IR 464 Nesmat Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (1998) 87 IR 312 Port Macquarie Golf Club Ltd v Stead (1996) 64 IR 53 Ridge Consolidated Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (2000) 100 IR 156 CASES CITED : State Rail Authority (NSW) v Earthline Constructions Pty Ltd (1999) 160 ALR 588 State Rail Authority v Dawson (1990) 37 IR 110 Swift Placements Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority (2000) 96 IR 69 at 70-71 Warman International Ltd v WorkCover Authority (1998) 80 IR 326 Warren v Coombes (1978) 142 CLR 531 Weissensteiner v The Queen (1993) 178 CLR 217 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Egan) v Bituminous Products Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 43 WorkCover Authority v Kellogg (Aust) Pty Ltd (No 1) (1999) 101 IR 239 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Hannan) v Bitupave Ltd t/as Boral Asphalt (No 2) (2000) 101 IR 458 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mauger) v Pioneer Road Services Pty Ltd (unreported, Cahill J (VP), IRC 97/1112, 3 September 1998) WorkCover Authority v Arbor Products International (Australia) Pty Ltd (2000) 105 IR 81 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mulder) v Yass Shire Council (2000) 99 IR 284 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Penfold) v Pacific Dunlop Ltd t/as National Cables [2000] NSWIRComm 33 WorkCover Authority v Company B Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 119 WorkCover Authority v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (No 2) (2000) 101 IR 92 HEARING DATES: 10/24/2000; 10/25/2000 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 10/30/2001