Inspector Brian Dell v Baradine Sawmilling Co. Pty Ltd. Inspector Brian Dell v Gunnedah Timbers Pty Ltd. [2002] NSWIRComm 304

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : Inspector Brian Dell v Baradine Sawmilling Co. Pty Ltd. Inspector Brian Dell v Gunnedah Timbers Pty Ltd. [2002] NSWIRComm 304 PROSECUTOR Inspector Michael Dell PARTIES : DEFENDANTS Baradine Sawmilling Co. Pty Ltd. Gunnedah Timbers Pty Ltd FILE NUMBER: IRC 7247 and IRC 7248 of 2001 CORAM: Haylen J CATCHWORDS : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 - s 15(1) and s 17(1)(b) - young person employed recently on casual basis - use of old tractor without roll-over protection - injury sustained whilst operating tractor outside of usual duties - plea of guilty - family involvement in both companies - no previous convictions in 33 and 5 years respectively of operation - usual workplace culture emphasises safety - accident appropriately regarded as aberration - separate legal entities but regard had to realities of corporate management - one amount fixed as penalty divided equally between defendants - consideration given to financial circumstances of each corporation and possible effect on local community - each corporation a significant long term employer - lack of detail regarding impact of significant fine limits consideration of financial elements - penalties imposed LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s 15(1) s 17(1)(b) Alcatel Australia Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (1996) 70 IR 99 at 106 Camilleri's Stockfeeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 at 698 - 699 per Kirby P.) Department of Minister Resources of New South Wales (Inspector McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 8 at 27 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 at 388 Haynes v C I & D Manufacturing Pty Ltd and anor (1995) 60 IR 455 Inspector Elizabeth Benbow v Planada Holdings Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 275 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 at 476 Manpac Industries Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Glass) (2001) 106 IR 435 CASES CITED : R v Dodd (1991) 57 A Crim R 349 at 355 R v Thomson, R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Riley v Australian Grader Hire (2001) 103 IR 143 WorkCover Authority (Inspector Glass) v ACI Operations Pty Ltd [1994] NSWIRComm 11 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales v Air Express International Pty Ltd (1996) 83 IR 64 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Robinson) v Bosnjak Hodlings Pty Ltd and anor [2002] NSWIRComm 295 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Petar Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Ltd and anor [2000] NSWIRComm 277 at [47] WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Victor Page) v Walco Hoist Rental Pty Ltd NSWIRComm 39 at p 31 per Wright J, President, WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Victor Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) (2000) 99 AR 163 at 186