Inspector Vierow v LBJ Crane & Rigging Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 358

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Vierow v LBJ Crane & Rigging Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 358 PROSECUTOR Inspector Maurice Vierow PARTIES : DEFENDANT LBJ Crane & Rigging Pty Limited FILE NUMBER: IRC183 of 2002 CORAM: Peterson J CATCHWORDS : Occupational health and safety - issue concerning penalty - Employee of contractor suffering fatal injuries while operating crane on railway maintance work near Strathfield Station - Under supervision of Railway Safety Authority - Earlier finding of guilt - Issue of penalty - Inability of defendant to influence events - Withdrawal of defendant from the industry - Application for dismissal of charge under s10 of the Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act - Consideration of relevant issues - Offence found proved - Charge dismissed without proceeding to conviction. LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s15 Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s10 Inspector Vierow v LBJ Crane & Rigging Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 152, 16 May 2003, unreported. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Maurice Vierow) v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2003] NSWIRComm 112, 17 March 2003, unreported. WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Benbow) v Converquip Pty Limited (2001) 106 IR 258 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 99 IR 29 CASES CITED : Department of Mineral Resources of New South Wales v AM Hoipo & Sons Pty Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 16, 15 March 2000, unreported WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Hopkins) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 100 IR 64 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales v Waugh (1995) 59 IR 89 Wong v Melinda Group Pty Ltd (1998) 82 IR 118 Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60 HEARING DATES: 09/23/2003 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 10/24/2003