Inspector Casto v Stratabuild Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 91

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Casto v Stratabuild Pty Ltd (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 91 Hearing dates: 15 February 2011; 14 - 15 June 2011Written submissions:21 June 2011; 24 June 2011 Decision date: 15 July 2011 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Staff J Decision: Matter No IRC 195 of 2010 1. The offence is proven and a verdict of guilty is entered. 2. The corporate defendant is convicted of the offence, as charged. 3. The corporate defendant is fined an amount of $175,000 with a moiety thereof to the prosecutor. 4. The corporate defendant shall pay the prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in an amount as agreed, or if agreement cannot be reached, as assessed. Matter No IRC 196 of 2010 1. The offence is proven and a verdict of guilty is entered. 2. The personal defendant is convicted of the offence, as charged. 3. The personal defendant is fined an amount of $15,000 with a moiety thereof to the prosecutor. 4. The personal defendant shall pay the prosecutor's costs of the proceedings in an amount as agreed, or if agreement cannot be reached, as assessed. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - prosecution under s 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - building industry - painting business - residential block of units - fall - employee suffered fatal injuries - general and specific deterrence - late plea of guilty - maximum penalty - principles - penalty imposed - COSTS Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Evidence Act 1995 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Ltd (1999) 94 IR 188 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing Pty Ltd (1994) 60 IR 149 Inspector Braddick v Connex Sydney Pty Ltd (known as Veolia Transport Sydney Pty Ltd) [2007] NSWIRComm 208 Inspector Castro v Stratabuild Pty Ltd [2010] NSWIRComm 191 Inspector Howard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 92; (2009) 186 IR 125 Maddaford v CSR Limited and Mulgoa Quarries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 337 Mario Anthony Rugari [2001] NSWCCA 64; (2001) 122 A Crim R 1 Morrison v Coal Operations Australia Ltd (No 2) [2005] NSWIRComm 96; (2005) 141 IR 465 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 416; (2003) 130 IR 364 MRW v The Queen [1999] NSWCA 452; (1999) 113 A Crim R 308 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; (2000) 115 A Crim R 104 Ratten v The Queen (1974) 131 CLR 510 Regina v Puddick (1865) 4 F&F 497 Sacco Builders Pty Ltd v Inspector Chaston [2009] NSWIRComm 153; (2009) 188 IR 79 Whitehorn v The Queen (1983) 152 CLR 657 Woods v The Queen [2008] NSWCCA 83; (2008) 184 A Crim R 108 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 277; (2000) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Egan) v Atco Controls Pty Limited (1998) 82 IR 80 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Limited (1995) 100 IR 248 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inspector Vince Castro (Prosecutor) Stratabuild Pty Ltd (First Defendant) Carlos Acevedo (Second Defendant) Representation: Counsel Mr C Magee of counsel (Prosecutor) Mr M Luitingh of counsel (Defendants) Solicitors WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecutor) Michael Taylor Solicitor and Public Notary (Defendants) File Number(s): IRC 195 and 196 of 2010