Inspector Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation. [2002] NSWIRComm 111

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation. [2002] NSWIRComm 111 PROSECUTOR: Inspector Maurice Vierow PARTIES : DEFENDANT: Rail Infrastructure Corporation FILE NUMBER: IRC 4918 of 2001 CORAM: Haylen J CATCHWORDS : Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1983 - s 15(1) - plea of guilty - failure to apply amended safety rules following recent fatal accident - prior convictions - need for both general and specific deterrence - doubt as to adequacy of new systems of safety introduced by defendant - discount allowed for early plea and subjective factors - penalty imposed. LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s 15(1) Crimes (Sentencing) Procedure Act 1999 Cameron v The Queen [2002] HCA 6 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Department of Mineral Resources (Chief Inspector McKensey) v Berrima Coal Pty Ltd (2001) 105 IR CASES CITED : Inspector Barnard v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2002] NSWIRComm 107 Inspector Vierow v Rail Infrastructure Corporation [2002] NSWIRComm 80 R v Sharma [2002] NSW CCA 142 R v Thomson (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Schultz v Tamworth City Council (1995) 58 IR 221 HEARING DATES: 04/26/2002 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 05/22/2002

PROSECUTOR: Mr G Phillips, Solicitor SOLICITORS: Carroll & O'Dea