Inspector Michael Dall (WorkCover Authority of NSW) v Waterside Constructions Pty Limited and Another [2009] NSWIRComm 206

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Michael Dall (WorkCover Authority of NSW) v Waterside Constructions Pty Limited and Another [2009] NSWIRComm 206

PROSECUTOR: Inspector Michael Dall (WorkCover Authority of NSW) PARTIES: DEFENDANTS: Waterside Constructions Pty Limited Michael Ferguson

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 1414 and 1415 of 2008

CORAM: Backman J

CATCHWORDS: Occupational health and safety - Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - pleas of guilty - untrained and unqualified worker erecting scaffolding falls 11.27 metres from incomplete scaffolding onto concrete floor - risk of falling from heights - deficient safe systems of work - reasonable foreseeability of risk - probable consequences of breaches - availability of simple measures prior to offence - deterrence - subjective factors considered - respective roles considered - penalties - orders

Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Occupational Health and Safety Regulation 2001

Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Limited (1999) 92 IR 188 Inspector Colin Wall v Orica Australia Pty Limited [2009] NSWIRComm 146 Inspector Jones v James Denson and Anor [2006] NSWIRComm 234 CASES CITED: Inspector Melissa Chaston v Sacco Builders Pty Ltd and Others [2008] NSWIRComm 152 Inspector Wilkie v Anstee (No 2) [2007] NSWIRComm 20 Riley v Australian Grader Hire Pty Ltd (2001) 103 IR 143 Sacco Builders Pty Ltd v Inspector Chaston [2009] NSWIRComm 153 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Downie) v Menzies Property Services Pty Ltd (2004) 136 IR 449