Parsons final findings doc

Male·Cardiac arrhythmia secondary to cardiac sensitisation from acute exposure to Bostik 9913 solvent containing toluene

Michael Parsons, a qualified shipwright employed by Seawind Catamarans for 7 years, died on 25 August 2008 after acute inhalation of Bostik 9913 solvent vapours while cleaning the interior of a catamaran hull at Bellambi factory, NSW. He was found unconscious with his head, torso and arms inside a storage locker containing solvent-soaked rags. Toxicological analysis confirmed death from cardiac arrhythmia secondary to cardiac sensitisation caused by toluene. The coroner found Mr Parsons was performing work-related cleaning duties. Critical workplace safety failures included: inadequate ventilation (only small cooling fans, no extraction), lack of chemical hazard training, ineffective respirator enforcement, and absence of material safety data sheet education. The coroner found the death preventable through proper safety systems and recommended improved safety alerts, updated safety data sheets warning of cardiac arrhythmia risk, and medical professional training on adrenaline administration in toluene toxicity cases.