Inspector Batty v Autopool Pty Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 56

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Batty v Autopool Pty Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 56 Hearing dates: 22 March 2012 Decision date: 28 June 2012 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Kavanagh J Decision: 1.In Matter No IRC 1258 of 2010, I find the defendant guilty of the offence as charged. 2.The defendant is fined in the sum of $220,000 with a moiety to WorkCover Authority of New South Wales. 3.The defendant shall pay the costs of the prosecutor as assessed or as agreed. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - breach of s 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - early plea of guilty - defendant sent employee to inspect and repair the airbag suspension on a heavy combination vehicle - truck left with engine on and brakes disengaged - chocks in form of blocks of wood failed to prevent the vehicle from moving - driver of vehicle fatally injured - employee of corporate defendant placed at risk of injury - failure to implement safe system of work - failure to supply employee with purpose-manufactured wheel chocks - defendant aware of risk of a rig rolling away - lack of risk assessment of task - lack of formally documented work practices - simple measures available to avoid risk of injury - defendant now fully aware of its obligations - foreseeable element - general and specific deterrence an element of penalty - remorse and contrition demonstrated - good corporate citizen - small allowance made for contribution to the risk by third party - penalty - costs Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: 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 Cullen v State Rail Authority (1989) 31 IR 207 Department of Mineral Resources of New South Wales (Chief Inspector McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty (1999) 92 IR 8 Fletcher Constructions Australia Ltd v The WorkCover Authority (Insp Fisher) (1999) 91 IR 66 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Limited (1996) 82 IR 384 Inspector Barnard v Rail Infrastructure Corporation (2001) 109 IR 209 Inspector Batty v Intercoast Refrigerated Transport Pty Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 55 Inspector Callaghan v Saunders Constructions (unreported, Maidment J, CT1062 of 1993, 26 November 1993) Inspector Schultz v Leonard J Williams (Timber) Pty Ltd [2001] NSWIRComm 286 Inspector Wade v Ken Matthews Haulier Pty Limited t/as Ken Matthews Landscaping Supplies [2005] NSWIRComm 85 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 Coal Operations Australia Ltd (No 2) [2005] NSWIRComm 96; (2005) 141 IR 465 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Limited [2003] NSWIRComm 416; (2003) 130 IR 364 R v Thomson; R v Houlton [2000] NSWCCA 309; (2000) 49 NSWLR 383; 115 ACrimR 104 State Transit Authority of NSW known as Sydney Ferries v Inspector Guillarte (2003) 123 IR 237 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Patton) v Fletcher Constructions Australia Limited (2003) 123 IR 121 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v McDonalds Australia Limited & Anor (1999) 95 IR 383 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Page) v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Limited (No 2) [2000] NSWIRComm 39; (2000) 99 IR 163 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Sheppard) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales (2000) NSWIRComm 179 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inspector Ian John Batty (Prosecutor) Autopool Pty Ltd t/as Gilbert & Roach (Defendant) Representation: S Crawshaw SC with a Mitchelmore of counsel (Prosecutor) R Crow of counsel (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of NSW (Prosecution) Workplace Law (Defendants) File Number(s): IRC 1258 of 2010