Inspector Cooper v Bell Scaffolding Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 157

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Cooper v Bell Scaffolding Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 157 Hearing dates: 18 October 2011 Decision date: 25 November 2011 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Boland J, President Decision: (1) The defendant is found guilty of the offence charged under s 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. (2) The defendant is fined an amount of $120,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor. (3) The defendant shall pay the costs of the prosecutor as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Offence under s8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - Plea of guilty - Sentencing - Incomplete construction of scaffolding - Risk of falling through an open void in scaffolding - Injured worker fell 12 - 14 metres through the void - Objective and subjective factors considered - Reasonable foreseeability - Contribution of the defendant to the creation of the risk where there were multiple offenders - Parity - Fine imposed - Costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Cahill v State of New South Wales (Department of Community Services) (No 3) [2008] NSWIRComm 123; (2008) 182 IR 124 Cahill v New South Wales (Department of Community Services) (No 4) [2008] NSWIRComm 201; (2008) 182 IR 231 Capral Aluminium Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; (2000) 99 IR 29 Department of Mineral Resources of NSW (McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd [1999] NSWIRComm 353; (1999) 92 IR 8 Inspector Cooper v Allied Industrial Engineering Limited [Company No. 624453] [2011] NSWIRComm 131 Inspector Cooper v Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 136 Inspector Elizabeth Benbow v Planada Holdings Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 275 Inspector Wilkie v Anstee (No. 2) [2007] NSWIRComm 20 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) [1999] NSWIRComm 343; (1999) 90 IR 464 Lowe v The Queen [1984] HCA 46; (1984) 154 CLR 606 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 342; (2003) 130 IR 364 R v Borkowski [2009] NSWCCA 102; (2009) 195 A Crim R 1 R v Stambolis [2006] NSWCCA 56 Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Farrell) v Schrader [2002] NSWIRComm 25; (2002) 112 IR 284 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Limited (1995) 100 IR 248 WorkCover Authority of NSW v ACI Operations Pty Ltd [1994] NSWIRComm 167; [1994] NSWIRC 11 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inspector Stephen Cooper (Prosecutor) Bell Scaffolding Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Mr C Magee of counsel (Prosecutor) Mr J Glissan QC (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecutor) Doyles Construction Lawyers (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 455 of 2010