Inspector Selby v Mark David Coulbeck [2011] NSWIRComm 36

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Selby v Mark David Coulbeck [2011] NSWIRComm 36 Hearing dates: 1 March 2011 Decision date: 01 April 2011 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Kavanagh J Decision: 1. In IRC 1677 of 2009, I find the defendant, Mark David Coulbeck, guilty of the offence as charged. 2. In IRC 1677 of 2009, the defendant is fined in the sum of $7,000 with a moiety to WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. 3. In IRC 1678 of 2009, I find the defendant, Ai Chau Lam, guilty of the offence as charged. 4. In IRC 1678 of 2009, the defendant is fined in the sum of $3,500 with a moiety to WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. 5. I order the costs of the prosecutor shall be shared equally between the defendants. Each defendant will therefore pay as costs to the prosecutor the further sum of $7,710.68. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - breaches by two individual defendants under s 8(1) by virtue of s 26(1) - two prosecutions of Directors of corporation - one Director bankrupt - well known risk of exposing cutting blade - guard removed from machine - alterations made to machine to keep it operational - no system to protect employee from exposure to risk - foreseeable risk - Directors working on site - some safety procedures in place - no prior convictions - serious financial difficulties - application of ss 10, 10A of Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 - pleas of guilty - application of s 6 Fines Act 1996 - penalties imposed Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) s 21A Fines Act 1996 (NSW) s 6 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) s 8(1), s 26(1) Cases Cited: Alcatel Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Limited (1996) 82 IR 384 Inspector Cooper v Kwik-Seal Pty Ltd & Anor [2006] NSWIRComm 48 Inspector Jennifer Short v The Crown in the Right of the State of New South Wales (NSW Police) [2007] NSWIRComm 138 Inspector Morgenthal v Houghton [2010] NSWIRComm 192 Inspector Mulder v Girotto Precast Pty Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 94 Inspector Patton v Hall and Quinn [2010] NSWIRComm 6 Inspector Wilkie v Anstee (No. 2) [2007] NSWIRComm 20 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector James Swee Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Lowe v R (1984) 154 CLR 606 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 215 ALR 213; (2005) 228 CLR 357 McColl v John Watson Building Services Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 353 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Limited [2003] NSWIRComm 416; (2003) 130 IR 364 Postiglione v R (1997) 189 CLR 295 R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; 115 ACrimR 104 R v Way [2004] NSWCCA 131; (2004) 60 NSWLR 168 R v Wilhelm [2010] NSWSC 378 Riley v Australian Grader Hire Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 31 Warman International Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) (1998) 80 IR 326 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 277, (1999) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of NSW v Missingham [2007] NSWIRComm 44 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Downie) v Menzies Property Services Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 259; (2004) 136 IR 449 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inspector Selby (Prosecutor) Mark David Coulbeck (First Defendant) Ai Chau Lam (Second Defendant) Representation: C Magee of Counsel (Prosecutor) D E Baran of Counsel (Second Defendant) WorkCover Authority of NSW (Prosecutor) Bartier Perry Solicitors (First Defendant) Zelden Solicitors (Second Defendant) File Number(s): IRC1677 of 2009 IRC1678 of 2009