Inspector Christensen v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd [2013] NSWIRComm 91

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Christensen v P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd [2013] NSWIRComm 91 Hearing dates: 8 August 2013 Decision date: 11 October 2013 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Boland J, President Decision: (1) The defendant is convicted of the offence charged. (2) The defendant is fined an amount of $110,000 with a moiety thereof to the prosecutor. (3) The defendant shall pay the prosecutor's costs as agreed or assessed. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - Meat processing industry - Contractor injured when concrete saw struck pipe containing butane gas - Prosecution under s 10(1) of Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - Plea of guilty - Sentencing principles - Fine imposed Legislation Cited: 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 New South Wales (Chief Inspector Bruce Robert McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 8 Fletcher Constructions Australia Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Fisher) (1999) 91 IR 66 Inspector Hannah v Wonar Pty Ltd (unreported, Fisher CJ, CT90/1214, 30 June 1992) Lawrenson Diecasting Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 464 Maddaford v CSR Limited and Mulgoa Quarries Pty Ltd [2004] NSWIRComm 337 Markarian v R [2005] HCA 25; (2005) 228 CLR 357 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd & Anor (No. 3); [2005] NSWIRComm 61; (2005) 147 IR 117 Category: Principal judgment Parties: WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Madeline Christensen) (Prosecutor) P & M Quality Smallgoods Pty Ltd (Defendant) Representation: Mr P Ginters of counsel (Prosecutor) Mr B Hodgkinson SC (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecutor) Corrs Chambers Westgarth (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 1904 of 2011