Nash v Perilya Broken Hill Limited [2013] NSWIRComm 42

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Nash v Perilya Broken Hill Limited [2013] NSWIRComm 42 Hearing dates: 9 and 10 May 2013 Decision date: 05 June 2013 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Boland J, President Decision: The Court makes the following orders: (1) The defendant, Perilya Broken Hill 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 $260,000. (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) Costs are reserved. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Prosecution for breach of s 8(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - Mining Industry - Heavy vehicle - Employee involved in accident whilst operating plant namely, IT Carrier NFL 15 - Not possible to establish, beyond reasonable doubt, cause of accident - Plea of guilty - Defendant convicted of offence - Penalty imposed Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Fines Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: 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) 92 IR 8 Fisher v Samaras Industries Pty Limited (1996) 82 IR 384 Inspector Barber v Leighton Contractors Pty Limited [2012] NSWIRComm 145 Inspector Hannah v Wonar Pty Ltd (unreported, Fisher CJ, CT90/1214, 30 June 1992) WorkCover Authority (NSW) (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 R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357; (2005) 79 ALJR 1048 Morrison v Coal Operations Australia Limited (No. 2) [2005] NSWIRComm 96; (2005) 141 IR 465 Morrison v Perilya Broken Hill Limited [2007] NSWIRComm 115 R v Boney (unreported, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 22 July 1991 R v Hutchins (1957) 75 WN (NSW) 75 R v Kennedy (unreported, NSW Court of Criminal Appeal, 29 May 1990) Riley v Australian Grader Hire Pty Limited [2001] NSWIRComm 31; (2001) 103 IR 143 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Twynam-Perkins) v Maine Lighting Pty Limited (1995) 100 IR 248 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Jennifer Ann Nash (Prosecutor) Perilya Broken Hill Limited (Defendant) Representation: Mr D O'Neil of counsel (Prosecutor) Mr B Hodgkinson, SC with Mr M Shume of counsel (Defendant) Crown Solicitors Office (Prosecutor) Sparke Helmore Lawyers (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 718 of 2010