Fernhill father Michael Parsons was not deliberately sniffing toxic fumes before he was found unconscious inside the hull of a catamaran, an inquest has found.
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Rather, he was working for a company that failed to control his exposure to dangerous chemicals.
Deputy State Coroner Ian Guy found the 25-year-old died from a heart arrhythmia caused by acute exposure to industrial solvent while cleaning a catamaran at his Bellambi workplace.
Delivering his findings, Mr Guy said Seawind Catamarans’ management had failed to implement strategies to control the staff’s exposure to solvents and glues in ‘‘any meaningful way’’.
He told the inquest inhaling noxious fumes was ‘‘part of the factory environment’’ with a contractor reporting the smell was ‘‘overpowering’’.
‘‘It hits you like a brick, you could taste it in your mouth, it would sting your eyes,’’ electrician Joshua Stringer said.
Despite the strength of the fumes, no comprehensive risk assessment was undertaken and reports of staff becoming ‘‘high’’ off the fumes were never investigated by the company.
Mr Guy said some employees were aware that inhaling the fumes could produce a drunk feeling, but they had not been warned about the potentially serious health outcomes.
The inquest heard supervisors and the previous OHS manager were aware of a ‘‘culture’’ of solvent abuse and chemical inhalation among its employees but suspicions often went unreported to management.
Mr Parsons was unable to be revived after he was found unconscious inside the hull of a catamaran on August 25, 2008.
Seawind claimed Mr Parsons was part of a group of ‘‘chemical abusers’’ and that his death was from ongoing abuse.
Mr Guy said it was clear Mr Parsons had died from the solvent’s effects, but was satisfied he had not intentionally inhaled the fumes and had merely been exposed to them as part of his work-related duties.
Despite evidence suggesting some staff intentionally sniffed the chemicals, other employees admitted to being affected by the fumes, simply as a consequence of working with them.
Toxicologist Ian Whyte considered Mr Parsons had been chronically exposed to the toxins, stating inhaling solvents could have serious effects, ranging from an ‘‘intoxicated feeling’’ to death.
Mr Guy said there was no evidence Mr Parsons had confined himself inside the hull’s locker to maximise the effect of the fumes or that he was unnecessarily cleaning the boat to get high.
Although Mr Parsons was not wearing a mask at the time he collapsed, Mr Guy said it did not mean he was deliberately inhaling the fumes as there was ‘‘an abundance of evidence’’ showing masks often weren’t worn.
Seawind also claimed Mr Parsons had carried unnecessary solvent around with him but Mr Guy disagreed, stating employees routinely kept tins of acetone with them, despite their inability to stop the fumes spreading.
Mr Guy recommended WorkCover issue a safety alert about the effects of inhaling chemicals in solvents and the potential health problems.
