Regan v Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited [2011] NSWIRComm 71

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Regan v Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited [2011] NSWIRComm 71 Hearing dates: 1 April 2011 Decision date: 26 May 2011 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Kavanagh J Decision: 1. In Matter No IRC998 of 2010, I find the defendant guilty of the offence as charged. 2. The defendant is fined in the sum of $180,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor. 3. The defendant to pay the costs of the prosecutor. There has been no agreement between the parties as to the quantification of the costs. I will hear the parties on this issue in the event no agreement can be reached. Leave to re-list at short notice. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - breach of s 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 by defendant - guilty plea - no safe work method procedure in place - known risk of unpredictable machinery movement - company on formal notice of no safe method in place for task - company on notice employees in "no go" zone when machinery moving - foreseeability a factor - gravity of the potential risk - simple and straightforward steps to remedy the defects in the system available - general and specific deterrence - contrition expressed - concrete expression of remorse an element in mitigation of penalty - evidence of ongoing corporate commitment to safe working - penalty Legislation Cited: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 (NSW) s 8(1) Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 (NSW) ss 3A, 21A Coal Mine Health and Safety Act 2002 (NSW) s 150 Cases Cited: Alcatel Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Cahill v State of NSW (Department of Community Services (No 4) [2008] NSWIRComm 201 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environment Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 49 NSWLR 610 Elyard v R [2006] NSWCCA 43 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Limited (1996) 82 IR 384 Inspector Morgenthal v Houghton [2010] NSWIRComm 192 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 215 ALR 213; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 416; (2003) 130 IR 364 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2005] NSWIRC61; (2005) 147 IR 117 R v Gallagher (1991) 23 NSWLR 220 R v Olbrich (1999) 199 CLR 270 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 Takiari v R [2009] NSWCCA 84 Tyler v Sydney Electricity (1999) 47 IR 1 Veen v The Queen (No.2) (1988) 164 CLR 465 Weininger v The Queen [2003] HCA 14; 140 A Crim R 184; 196 ALR 451; (2003) 212 CLR 629 Winchester v Regina (1992) 58 ACrimR 345 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Howard) v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm92; (2009) 186 IR 125 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Robert William Regan (Prosecutor) Gujarat NRE Coking Coal Limited (formerly known as Gujarat NRE Minerals Limited and India NRE Minerals Limited) (Defendant) Representation: M P Cahill of Counsel (Prosecutor) D A Buchanan SC with D Jordan of Counsel (Defendant) Crown Solicitor for NSW (Prosecutor) Sparke Helmore Lawyers (Defendant) File Number(s): Matter IRC 998 of 2010