Finding into death of Anuruddha Bandara Abeysinghe

51y · Male·asphyxiation due to diffusion of exhaust fumes into a car

A 51-year-old man died by suicide following workplace termination. After being stood down for attending work alcohol-affected on 17 July 2020, Mr Abeysinghe expressed suicidal intent to colleagues on multiple occasions. Despite union intervention urging reconsideration and highlighting mental health concerns, he was terminated on 27 July 2020. He died by exhaust asphyxiation the following morning. The coroner found the termination breached the Enterprise Agreement's rehabilitative drug and alcohol policy and was disproportionate given available alternatives (including the employee's own offer of regular breathalyser testing). Had the EA's procedures been followed, death would very likely have been prevented. Key lesson: alcohol-related workplace incidents require health-focused, graduated responses with mental health awareness rather than hasty termination, particularly when the employee actively seeks help and expresses suicidal ideation.