Inspector David Waterhouse v East Coast Contracting Services Pty Ltd & Ors [2007] NSWIRComm 178

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector David Waterhouse v East Coast Contracting Services Pty Ltd & Ors [2007] NSWIRComm 178

Prosecutor: Inspector David Waterhouse PARTIES: Defendants: East Coast Contracting Services Pty Ltd David Burgun

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC3236; 3237; 3238; 3239 of 2006

CORAM: Kavanagh J

CATCHWORDS: OH&S Act - s8(1) & s8(2) - guilty pleas - collapse of awning at building demolition site - failure of company to notify WorkCover Authority of procedure to demolish - failure to comply with Australian Standards for demolition work - failure to file site specific work method - breach of regulations under the Act - objective seriousness of the offence - risk posed by unsafe system of work - principle of totality applicable - two charges against corporate defendant - maximum penalty for each offence $550,000 - penalty imposed - two charges against individual defendant - maximum penalty for each offence $55,000 - penalty imposed

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

Haynes v CI&D Manufacturing Pty Limited (1995) 60 IR 149 Inspector Ken Kumar v David Aylmer Ritchie [2006] NSWIRComm 323 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v R (2005) 215 ALR 213 Millner v Raith (1942) 66 CLR 1 CASES CITED: Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd and Anor (2004) 137 IR 253 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1993) 47 IR 1 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Carmody) v Consolidated Constructions Pty Ltd (2001) 109 IR 316 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Ltd (1995) 100 IR 248 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Insp Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Limited & Anor (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163