Inspector Spence v Michael Carter and Black Cat Roofing Pty Limited [2009] NSWIRComm 161

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Spence v Michael Carter and Black Cat Roofing Pty Limited [2009] NSWIRComm 161

Inspector Ronald Spence (Prosecutor)

PARTIES: Michael John Carter (Defendant in IRC2008/1786)

Black Cat Roofing Pty Limited (Defendant in IRC2008/1789)

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC1786; IRC1789 of 2008

CORAM: Kavanagh J

CATCHWORDS: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - penalty - foreseeability - prosecutions under s 8(2) and s 26(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - s10 Crimes (Sentencing) Procedure Act - pleas of guilty - head contractor - objective seriousness - instinctive synthesis - asbestos - unsafe safety mesh under roofing - unsafe work methods - no protective equipment - victim impact statement - defendants' capacity to pay fine - apprentice employees/contractors/sub-contractors - lack of appropriate training by sub-contractor - failure to ensure safe work procedure implemented by sub-contractor - no recognition of risk on assessment - gravity of offence - general and specific deterrence - early plea - co-operation with Work Cover - parity

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

Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Inspector Downie v Menzies Property (2004) 136 IR 449 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v R (2005) 228 CLR 357 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Limited (2003) 130 IR 364 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd & Anor (No 3) (2005) 147 IR 117 CASES CITED: R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 R v Way (2004) 60 NSWLR 168 Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1993) 47 IR 1 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Glass) v ACI Operations Pty Limited (Schmidt J, CT93/1025, 25 February 1994, unreported) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Insp Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Limited & Anor (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163 WorkCover Authority (NSW) v Profab Industries (2000) 100 IR 64