Fernandes Constructions Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Steven Jones) [2002] NSWIRComm 364

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Fernandes Constructions Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Steven Jones) [2002] NSWIRComm 364 APPELLANT: Fernandes Constructions Pty Limited PARTIES : RESPONDENT: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Steven Jones) FILE NUMBER: IRC2535 of 2002 CORAM: Walton J Vice-President; Kavanagh J; Staunton J CATCHWORDS : Appeal - severity of sentence following plea of guilty - prior conviction under Construction Safety Act 1912 not a conviction for the purposes of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - general exercise of sentencing discretion - two co-offenders - principle of parity - the nature and quality of the breach of duty - fundamental and basic safety measure - culpability of operators for safety of work site generally - economic duress - prior good character of the appellant - penalty set aside - costs order. Construction Safety Act 1912 Courts Legislation (Amendment) Act 2000 LEGISLATION CITED : Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 43 Criminal Appeal Act 1912 s 5AA Industrial Relations Act 1996 s 196 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s 16 s 51A Mainbrace Constructions Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Charles) (2000) 102 IR 84 R v Thomson, R v Houlton (200) 49 NSWLR 383 Ridge Consolidated Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mauger) (2002) 115 IR 78 CASES CITED : WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Byer) v Cleary Brothers (Bombo) Pty Limited (2001) 110 IR 182 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Farrell) v David Carl Schrader (2002) 112 IR 284 WorkCover Authority (Inspector Glass) v Kellogg (Australia) Pty Limited (No 2) (1999) 101 IR 261 WorkCover Authority (Inspector Jones) v the State of New South Wales (Department of Public Works and Services) [2002] NSWIRComm 284 HEARING DATES: 11/07/2002 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 12/19/2002