Safe Work (NSW) v WGA Pty Ltd [2017] NSWDC 91

District Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: Safe Work (NSW) v WGA Pty Ltd [2017] NSWDC 91 Hearing dates: 3, 4, 6 April 2017 Date of orders: 10 April 2017 Decision date: 10 April 2017 Jurisdiction: Criminal Before: Judge AC Scotting Decision: 1 The elements of the offence have been proved beyond reasonable doubt against WGA. 2 I find WGA Pty Ltd guilty of the offence. Catchwords: CRIMINAL LAW – prosecution – work health and safety – duty of persons undertaking business – duty of employers – risk of death or serious injury – injury to worker – contractor liability PROCEDURAL – finding of guilt – burden of proof – standard – ex parte hearing OTHER- building site – power lines – safe working distance – safety protocol – procedure – improvement notices – work health and safety – code of practice – high voltage electricity – prohibition notice – safe work method statement Legislation Cited: Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 s.8(2) Work Health and Safety Act 2011 ss.5, 7(1)(b), 12A, 18, 19(1), 19(3), 32, 195 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 Cases Cited: Laing O'Rourke (BMC) Pty Ltd v Kirwin [2011] WASCA 117 Slivak v Lurgi (Aust) Pty Ltd (2001) 205 CLR 304 Tangerine Confectionery Ltd and Veolia ES (UK) Ltd v R [2011] EWCA Crim 2015 Thiess Pty Ltd v Industrial Court of New South Wales (2010) 78 NSWLR 94 Genner Constructions Pty Ltd v WorkCover Authority of New South Wales [2001] NSWIRComm 267 Baiada Poultry Pty Ltd v R (2012) 246 CLR 92 WorkCover Authority of New South Wales v Kellogg (Aust) Pty Ltd [1999] NSWIRComm 453 Dunlop Rubber Australia Ltd v Buckley (1952) 87 CLR 313 at 320 Smith v Broken Hill Pty Ltd (1957) 97 CLR 337 Bulga Underground Operations v Nash [2016] NSWCCA 37 Royall v The Queen (1991) 172 CLR 378 Simpson Design and Associates Pty Ltd v Industrial Court of New South Wales [2011] NSWCA 316 R v ACR Roofing Pty Ltd (2004) 11 VR 187 John Holland Pty Ltd v Industrial Court of New South Wales [2010] NSWCA 338 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Safe Work (NSW) (Prosecutor) WGA Pty LTD (Defendant) Representation: Counsel: Mr B Docking (Prosecutor) No Appearance (Defendant)