Inspector Michael Dall v William Caesar Porta trading as Western Pacific Engineers [2006] NSWIRComm 214

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Michael Dall v William Caesar Porta trading as Western Pacific Engineers [2006] NSWIRComm 214

Prosecutor: PARTIES: Inspector Michael Dall Defendant: William Caesar Porta t/as Western Pacific Engineers

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC5609 of 2004

CORAM: Kavanagh J

CATCHWORDS: Prosecution - OHS - s9 - Fines Act s6 - Plea of guilty – consulting engineer - at place of work in performance of undertaking - uncontrolled collapse of large boiler in breach of regulations and standards for demolition - no work permit from WorkCover – inaccurate calculations – no risk assessment – no secondary support for structure – unsafe work method in conduct of undertaking - financial status of defendant considered - penalty

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000

Capral Aluminium Limited v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Insp Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; (1999-2000) 99 IR 29 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Ltd (1996) 82 IR 384 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector James Swee Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Lyndhurst v WorkCover 95 IR 462 Manpac Industries v WorkCover 106 IR 435 CASES CITED: Markarian v R (2005) 215 ALR 213 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Tsougranis v Inspector Carmody (No 2) [2006] NSWIRComm 133 Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1993) 47 IR 1 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mansell) v Jian Chen and Obing Pty Limited trading as Old But New [2004] NSWIRComm 247 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Insp Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Limited & Anor (No 2) 99 IR 163