Inspector Williams v H P Woods (Holding) Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 114

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Williams v H P Woods (Holding) Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 114 Hearing dates: 20 June 2011 Decision date: 19 August 2011 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Walton J, Vice-President Decision: 1.The defendant is convicted of the offence. 2.The defendant is fined the sum of $80,000 with moiety to the prosecutor. 3.The defendant shall pay the prosecutor's costs as agreed or assessed. Failing agreement, costs may be referred to the Registrar for assessment. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - prosecution under s 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - employee of defendant falls from ATV - fatality - failure to require employee wear helmet - plea of guilty - sentencing - objective seriousness - aggravating and mitigating factors considered - maximum penalty - first offence - risk of serious injury - foreseeability - simple remedial measures - deterrence (general and specific) - subjective features - steps taken after incident - contrition - assistance to family - co-operation with WorkCover - discount for plea - balancing of factors - penalty imposed - moiety - costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Alcatel Australia Limited v Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Corinthian Industries (Sydney) Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Wilson) [2000] NSWIRComm 46; (2000) NSWIRComm 99 IR 159 Department of Mineral Resources of NSW (McKensey) v Kembla Coal & Coke Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 8 Inspector James v Paul [2011] NSWIRComm 82 JT & LC Tippett Pty Ltd v Workcover Authority of New South Wales [2008] NSWIRComm 177; (2008) 184 IR 1 Kirk v Industrial Relations Commission [2010] HCA 1; (2010) 239 CLR 531 Morrison v Centennial Coal Company Ltd [2010] NSWIRComm 4 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 297; (2004) 137 IR 253 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2005] NSWIRComm 61; (2005) 147 IR 117 O'Sullivan v Crown in the Right of the State of New South Wales (Department of Education & Training) [2003] NSWIRComm 74; (2003) 125 IR 361 R v Sharma [2002] NSWCCA 142; (2002) 54 NSWLR 300 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383 Ridge Consolidated Pty Ltd v Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mauger) [2002] NSWIRComm 108; (2002) 115 IR 78 Sacco Builders Pty Ltd v Inspector Chaston [2009] NSWIRComm 153; (2009) 188 IR 79 The Crown in the Right of the State of New South Wales (Department of Education and Training) v O'Sullivan [2005] NSWIRComm 198; (2005) 143 IR 57 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonalds Australia Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 277; (2000) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Barbosa) v Newstart 150 Pty Ltd t/as Style Wise Interiors [2002] NSWIRComm 64; (2002) 172 IR 210 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Ching) v Bros Bins System Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 155; (2009) 189 IR 343 WorkCover Authority (NSW) Inspector Howard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 92; (2009) 186 IR 125 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Jones) v Challita [2006] NSWIRComm 207; (2006) 153 IR 409 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Lai) v Rexma Pty Ltd [2008] NSWIRComm 78; (2008) 172 IR 210 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayell) v D J Gleeson Pty Ltd [2006] NSWIRComm 363 Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) (2000) 99 IR 163 Category: Sentence Parties: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecution) H P Woods (Holding) Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: C T Magee of counsel (Prosecution) M J Cranitch SC (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecution) Campbell Paton & Taylor (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 1423 of 2010 Publication restriction: None