WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McMartin) v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd, t/as Rod, Bar & Wire [2000] NSWIRComm 241

Industrial Relations Commission of New South Wales in Court Session

CITATION : WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McMartin) v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd, t/as Rod, Bar & Wire [2000] NSWIRComm 241 PROSECUTOR WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Steven Finlay McMartin) PARTIES : DEFENDANT The Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited, trading as Rod, Bar & Wire FILE NUMBER: IRC 4583 of 1999 CORAM: Hungerford J CATCHWORDS : Occupational Health and Safety - Prosecution for breach of statutory duty - Use of oxy-propane cutting equipment - Explosion causing serious injuries to two workers employed by contractors - Degree of culpability of defendant - Objective seriousness of offence in terms of its nature and quality - Subjective features in mitigation of penalty - Early plea of guilty - Co-operation with investigating authorities - Contrition - Remedial measures implemented - Improved safety performance - Nature of the industry and inherent risks - Record of prior convictions - Application of guideline judgment - Defendant convicted - Fine imposed. LEGISLATION CITED : Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 s 16(1) Alcatel Australia Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Ltd v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Carrington Slipways Pty Ltd v Callaghan [1985] 11 IR 467 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 R v Cartwright (1989) 17 NSWLR 243 R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 R V Thomson, R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309 Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1993) 47 IR 1 Warman International Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) (1998) 80 IR 326 CASES CITED : WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Chadwick) v BHP Steel (AIS) Pty Ltd (2000) 98 IR 122 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Dawson) v Waugh (1995) 59 IR 89 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector James) v Australian Refined Alloys Pty Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 224 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McKenzie) v Waste Recycling & Processing Services of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 218 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McMartin) v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd (1999) 90 IR 277 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector McMartin) v Broken Hill Pty Co Ltd (1999) 96 IR 32 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 39 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Plowright) v Forgacs Engineering Pty Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 226 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Sheppard) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 179 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Wong) v Aluminium Contractors Sales (NSW) Pty Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 233 HEARING DATES: 07/21/2000; 08/24/2000 DATE OF JUDGMENT: 11/29/2000