Inspector Barber v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [2012] NSWIRComm 145

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Barber v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [2012] NSWIRComm 145 Hearing dates: 30 November 2012 Decision date: 12 December 2012 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Boland J, President Decision: (1) The defendant, Leighton Contractors Pty Limited, is convicted of an offence under s 8(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000. (2) The defendant is fined an amount of $350,000. (3) Under s 122(2) of the Fines Act 1996 the defendant shall pay to the prosecutor one-half of any fine imposed by the Court. (4) The defendant shall pay the costs of the prosecutor as agreed or, in the absence of agreement, as assessed. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Prosecution for breach of s 8(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - Fatality - Construction Industry - Employee struck by front end loader - Plea of guilty - Factors relevant to sentencing - Prior convictions - Defendant convicted of offence - Victim impact statements - Penalty imposed Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Baumer v The Queen [1988] HCA 67; (1988) 166 CLR 51 Capral Aluminium Ltd v Workcover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 49 NSWLR 610; (2000) 99 IR 29 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Limited (1996) 82 IR 384 Inspector Belley (WorkCover Authority) v Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd (unreported, Chief Industrial Magistrate's Court, 3 August 2005) Inspector Cooper v Visy Pulp and Paper Pty Ltd [2011] NSWIRComm 136 Inspector Hannah v Wonar Pty Ltd (unreported, Fisher CJ, CT90/1214, 30 June 1992) Inspector Howard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 92; (2009) 186 IR 125 Inspector Kent v Duct Master Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 143 Inspector Maddaford v Coleman [2004] NSWIRComm 317; (2004) 138 IR 21 Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Markarian v The Queen [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357; (2005) 79 ALJR 1048 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd (No 3) [2005] NSWIRComm 61; (2005) 147 IR 117 Muldrock v The Queen [2001] HCA 39; (2011) 244 CLR 120 R v Mansour [1999] NSWCCA 180 Regina v McNaughton [2006] NSWCCA 242; (2006) 66 NSWLR 566 R v Previtera (1997) 94 A Crim R 76 Veen v The Queen (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Inspector Mark Barber (Prosecutor) Leighton Contractors Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: Mr C Magee of counsel (Prosecutor) Mr B Hodgkinson SC (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecutor) Middletons (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 1915 of 2011