Inspector Christensen v Lend Lease Engineering Pty Limited (formerly Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited) [2014] NSWIRComm 42

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Inspector Christensen v Lend Lease Engineering Pty Limited (formerly Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited) [2014] NSWIRComm 42 Hearing dates: 7 May 2014 and note re costs 19 August 2014 Decision date: 22 August 2014 Jurisdiction: Industrial Court of NSW Before: Walton J, President Decision: 1) In Matter Number IRC 279 of 2014, the defendant is convicted of the offence charged under s 8(2) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000; 2) In Matter Number IRC 279 of 2011, the defendant is fined in the sum of $200,000 with a moiety to the prosecutor; 3) In Matter Numbers IRC 278 and 279 of 2011, the parties shall pay their own costs of the proceedings. Catchwords: OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY - fatal incident - prosecutions against two defendants - pleas of not guilty - Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited convicted of offence under s 8(2) Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 - sentencing - Abigroup now known as Lend Lease Engineering Pty Limited - name of defendant altered in proceedings - objective factors - risk of being struck by a rail panel or components of a rail panel - failure to undertake a fresh risk assessment when method of work changed - contribution of other entities to risk - risk foreseeable - systems in place prior to incident - systems inadequately implemented at the site - simple remedial measures available - maximum penalty - general deterrence - specific deterrence - offence serious - subjective factors - financial assistance to family of deceased worker - counselling assistance to injured workers - expression of regret - cooperation with WorkCover - prior offences - parity - penalty imposed - moiety Legislation Cited: Crimes (Sentencing Procedure) Act 1999 Fines Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 1983 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Cases Cited: Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Maltby) [2004] NSWIRComm 270; (2004) 135 IR 317 Alcatel Australia Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Clyant) (1996) 70 IR 99 Camilleri's Stock Feeds Pty Limited v Environmental Protection Authority (1993) 32 NSWLR 683; (1993) 82 LGERA 21 Capral Aluminium Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2000] NSWIRComm 71; (2000) 99 IR 29; (2000) 99 IR 29 Charara v New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions [2001] NSWCA 140; (2001) 120 A Crim R 225 Corinthian Industries (Sydney) Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Wilson) [2000] NSWIRComm 46; (2000) 99 IR 159 Department of Mineral Resources of New South Wales (Chief Inspector Bruce Robert McKensey) v Kembla Coal and Coke Pty Ltd (1999) 92 IR 8 Drake Personnel Ltd t/as Drake Industrial v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ch'ng) (1999) 90 IR 432 Griffiths v The Queen (1977) 137 CLR 293; (1977) 15 ALR 1; (1977) 51 ALJR 749 Haynes v CI & D Manufacturing Pty Ltd and another (No. 2) (1995) 60 IR 455 Inspector Barbosa v McDonalds Australia Limited [2003] NSWIRComm 196; (2003) 125 IR 270 Inspector Christensen v Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited and Anor [2013] NSWIRComm 111 Inspector Christensen v Boom Logistics Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 95 Inspector Christensen v Hebron Holdings Pty Limited (formerly known as Taylor Railtrack Pty Limited) [2012] NSWIRComm 31 Inspector Christensen v MVM Rail Pty Ltd [2013] NSWIRComm 89 Inspector Colin West v Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd. [2007] NSWIRComm 88 Inspector Dall v Ullrich [2012] NSWIRComm 87 Inspector Howard v Baulderstone Hornibrook Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 92; (2009) 186 IR 125 Inspector Lai v Rexma Pty Ltd and Another [2008] NSWIRComm 78; (2008) 172 IR 210 Inspector Martin v Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd [2009] NSWIRComm 110 Inspector Middleton v Cafe C Pty Ltd [2012] NSWIRComm 131 Inspector Nicholson v Gallagher [2012] NSWIRComm 121 JT & LC Tippett Pty Limited and RD & LF Tippett Pty Limited v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2008] NSWIRComm 177; (2008) 184 IR 1 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd [2003] NSWIRComm 416; (2003) 130 IR 364 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd & Another [2004] NSWIRComm 297; (2004) 137 IR 253 Morrison v Powercoal Pty Ltd & Anor. (No. 3) [2005] NSWIRComm 61; (2005) 147 IR 117 Pearce v The Queen [1998] HCA 57; (1998) 194 CLR 610; (1998) 156 ALR 684 Regina v Gardener [2003] NSWCCA 2 Veen v R (No 2) [1988] HCA 14; (1988) 164 CLR 465; (1988) 77 ALR 385 WorkCover Authority (NSW) (Inspector Jones) v Challita [2006] NSWIRComm 207; (2006) 153 IR 409 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Ankucic) v Crown in the Right of State of New South Wales (Department of Education and Training) [2001] NSWIRComm 313; (2001) 112 IR 1 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Mayell) v D J Gleeson Pty Ltd [2006] NSWIRComm 363 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Insector Petar Ankucic) v McDonald's Australia Limited and Another [2000] NSWIRComm 277 Workcover Authority of New South Wales (Insp Robert Stobo) v State Rail Authority of New South Wales [2002] NSWIRComm 72; (2002) 115 IR 130 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Inspector Tyler) v Abigroup Contractors Pty Ltd [2000] NSWIRComm 40; (2000) 99 IR 196 WorkCover Authority of NSW (Inspector Kelsey) v University of Sydney (unreported, Industrial Relations Commission, NSW, Matter No. CT 1280 of 1995, Hill J, 2 April 1997) WorkCover Authority of NSW (Insp Maltby) & Anor v Abigroup Contractors Pty Limited & Luis Bustamante [2003] NSWIRComm 201; (2003) 128 IR 204 Category: Sentence Parties: Inspector Madeline Christensen (Prosecutor) Lend Lease Engineering Pty Limited (Defendant) Representation: S Crawshaw SC with A M Mitchelmore of counsel (Prosecutor) B D Hodgkinson SC with R J Ranken of counsel (Defendant) WorkCover Authority of New South Wales (Prosecutor) Norton Rose Fulbright Australia (Defendant) File Number(s): IRC 278 of 2011 IRC 279 of 2011