Inspector Richard Mulder v Process Engineering Group Pty Ltd and Anor [2008] NSWIRComm 36

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Richard Mulder v Process Engineering Group Pty Ltd and Anor [2008] NSWIRComm 36

Prosecutor: Inspector Richard Mulder PARTIES: Defendants: Process Engineering Group Pty Ltd Mark Joseph Griffith

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC1090; IRC1091 of 2006

CORAM: Kavanagh J

Corporate defendant - plea of guilty - company providing service of individual defendant as construction manager - no assets - no intention to continue trading - consideration of application of ss10A, 10 - penalty must reflect objective seriousness of offence --principles of parity CATCHWORDS: Individual defendant - plea of guilty - charged for offence under s 8(2) by virtue of s26 (1) - sole director of company - controlling mind of company - service as construction manager - unsafe system in failure to secure penetration, to properly inspect and to warn of on-going risk - subjective features - no expression of remorse - penalty

LEGISLATION CITED: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 s8(2) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 s10A, s21A

Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector James Swee Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Inspector Sara Bestre v Jontari Pty Ltd & Anor; Inspector Jessica Doyle v Gignen Pty Ltd & Anor [2007] NSWIRComm 190 Inspector Jennifer Short v The Crown in the Right of the State of NSW (NSW Police) [2007] NSWIRComm 138 Insp Templeton v Haddon Rig Pty Ltd [2005] NSWIRComm 284 Markarian v R (2005) 215 ALR 213 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd (2004) 137 IR 310 CASES CITED: Millner v Raith (1942) 66 CLR 1 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd and Anor (2004) 137 IR 253 Page v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) [2000] 99 IR 163 R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Carmody) v Consolidated Constructions Pty Ltd (2001) 109 IR 316 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Ltd (1995) 100 IR 248 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonalds Australia Limited (2000) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Downie) v Menzies Property Services Pty Ltd (2004) 136 IR 449 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd and Anor (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163