Inspector Brandie v Hogan [2012] NSWIRComm 138

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Brandie v Hogan [2012] NSWIRComm 138 Hearing dates: 14 November 2012 Decision date: 07 December 2012 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Walton J, Vice-President Decision: 1. The defendant is convicted of the offence as charged. 2. The defendant is fined the sum of $32,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor. 3. The Court further orders that the defendant shall pay the costs of the prosecutor for these proceedings in the amount of $18,000. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - prosecution under s 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - defendant employer operated go-kart business - go-karts rented to members of the public to ride on a track at defendant's workplace - risk of injury to persons operating go-karts as a result of loose or baggy clothing becoming caught in moving parts of go-karts - patron of business wearing hijab - loose material of the garment not restrained - material became entangled in left rear axle of go-kart - patron strangled - fatality - plea of guilty - sentencing - objective factors - maximum penalty - Australian Standards relevant to assessment of objective seriousness of offence, not aggravation - defendant did not conform with guidelines set out therein - risk foreseeable - simple remedial steps available - general deterrence - specific deterrence minimal - defendant's level of control of business considered - limited "hands on" role in business at time of incident - defendant's responsibility to ensure safety at workplace could not be delegated to employees - offence serious - subjective factors - remorse and contrition - co-operation with the prosecutor - discount for plea - early plea - consideration of financial means of defendant - no claim for impecuniosity - no basis for reduction in penalty on financial grounds - reduction in penalty by virtue of mitigating factor and subjective factors - penalty imposed - moiety - costs Legislation Cited: Fines Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Alcatel Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Capral Aluminium Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; (2000) 99 IR 29 Ferguson v Nelmac Pty Limited (1999) 92 IR 188 Graincorp Operations Limited v Inspector Mason [2006] NSWIRComm 304; (2006) 157 IR 103 Inspector Dall v Ullrich [2012] NSWIRComm 87 Inspector Fraser v Karabelas (No 2) [2011] NSWIRComm 153 Inspector Howard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 92; (2009) 186 IR 125 Inspector Jose Barbosa v Newstart 150 Pty Ltd t/as Style Wise Interiors [2002] NSWIRComm 64; (2002) 113 IR 78 Inspector Lai v Rexma Pty Ltd and Another [2008] NSWIRComm 78; (2008) 172 IR 210 Inspector Middleton v Cafe C Pty Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 131 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority (NSW) (1999) 90 IR 464 Manpac Industries Pty Ltd (formerly t/as Pacific Concrete & Quarries Pty Ltd) v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Glass) [2001] NSWIRComm 190; (2001) 106 IR 435 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd & Anor. (No. 3) [2005] NSWIRComm 61; (2005) 147 IR 117 Page v Walco Hoist Rentals Pty Ltd (No 2) [2000] NSWIRComm 39; (2000) 99 IR 163 R v Reader (Brian Henry) (1988) 10 Cr App R(S) 210 R v Rushby (1997) 1 NSWLR 594 Rahme v R (1989) 43 A Crim R 81 Retsos v Regina [2006] NSWCCA 85 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Jones) v Challita [2006] NSWIRComm 207; (2006) 153 IR 409 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayell) v D J Gleeson Pty Ltd [2006] NSWIRComm 363 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Petar Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited and Another [2000] NSWIRComm 277; (2000) 95 IR 383 Category: Sentence Parties: Inspector Philip Brandie (Prosecutor) Michael John Hogan (Defendant) Representation: R Reitano of counsel (Prosecutor) W Barry of counsel (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of NSW (Prosecutor) File Number(s): IRC 1933 of 2011