Narayan v Inspector Dave Chamings [2007] NSWIRComm 281

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Narayan v Inspector Dave Chamings [2007] NSWIRComm 281

APPELLANTS Shui Narayan PARTIES: Mahabir Holdings Pty Limited

RESPONDENT Inspector Dave Chamings

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC 916 and 917 of 2007

CORAM: Boland J; Staunton J; Backman J

Appeal - Occupational health and safety - Appeal from single member of Industrial Court - Employee suffered serious injury from log splitting machine - Guilty plea by personal appellant and corporate appellant - Failure to ensure plant was safe - Failure to provide necessary supervision - Whether penalties manifestly excessive - Consideration of objective and subjective factors - Appeals dismissed - Determinations at first instance confirmed CATCHWORDS: Occupational health and safety - Appeal from single member of Industrial Court - Employee suffered serious injury from log splitting machine - Guilty plea by personal appellant and corporate appellant - Failure to ensure plant was safe - Failure to provide necessary supervision - Whether penalties manifestly excessive - Consideration of objective and subjective factors - Appeals dismissed - Determinations at first instance confirmed

Criminal Appeal Act 1912 s 5AA LEGISLATION CITED: Fines Act 1996 s 6 Industrial Relations Act 1996 s 196 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 ss 8(1), 26

Cabonne Shire Council v Environmental Protection Authority (2001) 115 LGERA 304 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Dinsdale v The Queen (2000) 202 CLR 321 House v The King (1936) 55 CLR 499 Inspector Dave Chamings v Shiu Narayan and Mahabir Holdings Pty Ltd [2007] NSWIRComm 106 Maddaford v CSR Limited and Mulgoa Quarries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 337 Markarian v The Queen (2005) 79 ALJR 1048 CASES CITED: Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (2003) 130 IR 364 at [32]. Nelmac Pty Ltd v Franke (Inspector) (2006) 151 IR 63 Newcastle Wallsend Coal Company Pty Ltd v McMartin (2006) 159 IR 121 R v Trevenna (2004) 149 A Crim R 505 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Mason) v Wild Geese Building and Maintenance Group Pty Ltd (2006) 157 IR 313 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited and Another (2000) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Downie) v Menzies Property Services Pty Ltd (2004) 136 IR 449 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Patton) v Fletcher Constructions Australia Limited [2002] NSWIRComm 316 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Egan) v Atco Controls Pty Limited (1998) 82 IR 80