Coroner's Finding: Bryers, Wallace Edgar

61y · Male·Anaphylactic reaction to bee venom

Wallace Edgar Bryers, aged 61, died from anaphylaxis following a bee sting while participating in beekeeping activities at Isis Farm on 5 January 2018. The coroner found Bryers was a worker under the Work Health and Safety Act (WHS), not merely an observer as claimed by the business. Though appropriate protective equipment was provided initially, critical failures occurred: removal of protective gear near active hives, absence of EpiPens in first aid kits, and inadequate training on maintaining protective equipment in hazardous areas. Medical evidence indicates adrenaline administration within 30 minutes of anaphylaxis significantly improves survival. The coroner noted that had an EpiPen been available and administered promptly, Bryers' survival chances would have increased substantially. WorkSafe subsequently required improvements including EpiPen availability and first aid training, all now implemented.