Inspector Stewart v Siemans Dematic Pty Ltd (formerly Mannesman Dematic Colby Pty Ltd ) No 2 [2003] NSWIRComm 45

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Stewart v Siemans Dematic Pty Ltd (formerly Mannesman Dematic Colby Pty Ltd ) No 2 [2003] NSWIRComm 45 PROSECUTOR: Inspector Fiona Stewart PARTIES : DEFENDANT: Siemans Dematic Pty Ltd (formerly Mannesman Dematic Colby Pty Ltd) No 2 FILE NUMBER: IRC 163 of 2001 CORAM: Haylen J Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - s 16(1) - plea of guilty after interlocutory proceedings - amended summons - whether, in circumstances, there was an early plea - objective seriousness of offence - risk foreseeable and simple steps available to overcome a risk known to exist - culpability of defendant in circumstances where other parties play a role in detriment to safety - reference of defendant's reliance on specialist contractors and sub-contractors - whether agreed payment of costs by defendant relevant to consideration of mitigating factors - fine imposed CATCHWORDS : Crime (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 - s 10 - width of consideration able to be taken into account - discretion available only in rare case - relevance of purpose of statutory scheme to protect persons at a place of work - application to exercise discretion refused. Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 LEGISLATION CITED : Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s 10 Marine Pollution Act 1987 Capral Aluminium v WorkCover Authority (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Haynes v C I & D Manufacturing (1994) 60 IR 149 Hunter WaterBoard v State Rail Authority NSW (No 2) Latoudis v Casey (1990) 170 CLR 534 at 542 McCarthy v Sell and Parker Pty Ltd (1999-2000) 102 IR 355 at 357 R v Rushby (1997) 1 NSWLR 594 at 597 Shultz v Tamworth City Council (1995) 58 IR 221 at 229 Thorneloe v Filipowski (2001) 52 NSWLR 60) CASES CITED : Wong v Melinda Group Pty Ltd (1998) 82 IR 118 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Carmody) v Consolidated Constructions Pty Ltd (2001) 109 IR 316 WorkCover Authority (Inspector Hopkins) v Profab Industries Pty Ltd (2000) 100 IR 64 at 70) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McMartin v Transfield Pty Ltd [No 2] NSWIRComm 289 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Ltd (1995) 100 IR 248 at 258) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales v Waugh and anor 59 IR 89 at 101