Inspector Richard Mulder v GRD Minproc Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 22

Industrial Court of New South Wales

CITATION: Inspector Richard Mulder v GRD Minproc Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 22

Prosecutor: PARTIES: Inspector Richard Mulder Defendant: GRD Minproc Ltd

FILE NUMBER(S): IRC1085 of 2006

CORAM: Kavanagh J

CATCHWORDS: Prosecution under s8(2) of the Act - corporate defendant - not guilty plea - fall of apprentice through penetration - known risk - resignation of WorkCover Inspector - effect of s4, s106 of the Act - application requires determination - safe work system in place - numerous inspections - failure to identify ongoing risk - expert evidence - design and implementation of cover of penetrations inadequate - failure to warn apprentice of known risk - offence proven - defence under s28(a) - risk reasonably foreseeable - reasonably practicable to take steps to avoid risk - defence rejected - defendant liable

LEGISLATION CITED: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 s8(2), s4,s47(1), s106, s28(a) Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983

Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayo-Ramsay) (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Haynes v CI&D Manufacturing Pty Limited (1995) 60 IR 149 Ove Arup Pty Ltd v Industrial Court of NSW (2006) 149 IR 193 CASES CITED: R v Thomson; R v Houlton (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 St Hilliers Contracting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of NSW (2007) 162 IR 241 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Carmody) v Consolidated Constructions Pty Ltd (2001) 109 IR 316 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Childs) v Kirk Group Holdings Pty Limited & Anor [2004] NSWIRComm 207 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited and Anor (2000) 95 IR 383