Inspector Vierow v Catholic College Lismore Limited t-as Trinity Catholic College Lismore [2009] NSWIRComm 128

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Vierow v Catholic College Lismore Limited t-as Trinity Catholic College Lismore [2009] NSWIRComm 128

Prosecutor: Inspector Vierow PARTIES: Defendant: Catholic College Lismore Limited t/as Trinity Catholic College Lismore

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC1472 of 2008

CORAM: Kavanagh J

CATCHWORDS: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Breach of section 10(2) of the Act - Plea of Guilty - Failure to ensure gate system safe at Catholic College - Alleged failure to adequately maintain proper system of reporting and rectification of defects - Alleged failure to risk assess - Fatal injuries sustained by 5 year old child - Failure to ensure rectification achieved desired effect - Relevant principles - Foreseeability - Contribution to the risk from third party - Objective seriousness of offence - General and specific deterrence - Mitigating factors - Maximum penalty $550,000 - Ability to pay substantial fine - Victim impact statement - Penalty

Civil Liability Act 2002 LEGISLATION CITED: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000

Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 188 Inspector Glass v Fomex Polystyrene Pty Limited (2004) NSWIRComm 100 Inspector Jones v Buddy Charbel Challita; Inspector Jones v Mr Pump Pty Ltd [2005] NSWIRComm 385 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 CASES CITED: Markarian v R (2005) 215 ALR 213 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Limited (2003) 130 IR 364 R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Way (2004) 60 NSWLR 168 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) v ACI Operations Pty Limited (unreported, Schmidt J, 25 February 1994)