Christopher Parry sues University of South Australia in Federal Court for unfair dismissal

Was a UniSA worker fired for complaining about high chemical levels? Or for failing to keep dead bodies moist? It’s gone to court.

A former employee is suing the University of South Australia for unfair dismissal, claiming he was fired after com­plaining about high levels of chemicals leaching from preserved bodies in the anatomy department.

However, the university argues Christopher Parry was fired because he had failed to keep the “specimens hydrated”, which includes spraying the cadavers with a special solution to prevent them drying up.

Last week, Federal Court Justice Natalie Charlesworth heard evidence from Mr Parry, who is self-represented, that it was not necessary to keep the cadavers moist when the school was closed for mid-semester break as they were in a specially sealed room.

“The specimens were in small hermetically sealed containers in a small hermetically sealed room, it was impossible for them to dehydrate,” he told the court.

“Additionally, by opening the door to the room you risked needless infections.”

Mr Parry’s lawsuit is for compensation for unfair dismissal, claiming he was fired from his temporary contract position over fears about formaldehyde contamination.

Formaldehyde, a fungicide and germicide, is used in mortuaries and medical laboratories to preserve bodies.

The US National Cancer Instituted also has formaldehyde listed as a carcinogen, with research linking the chemical to leukaemia and rare types of nasal cancer.

Mr Parry tendered a report to the court that, he said, showed dangerously high levels of formaldehyde in the anatomy lab.

The report, seen by the Sunday Mail, shows higher-than- average levels of the chemical was found in the lab when cabinets were being opened.

Mr Parry said he raised concerns at a meeting, indicating protective equipment workers were provided was not enough to be protected from the chemical. He told the court that his complaints were ignored and that he later texted his partner, saying the priority of the university remained business as usual over the safety of staff.

On October 8, 2019, several weeks after the meeting, Mr Parry was dismissed from his role. He told the court he had commented to the manager who fired him that it was “all too convenient”.

Mr Parry said the supervisor responded – unprompted – that the dismissal was not in any way linked to his concerns about the formaldehyde. The university will argue the dismissal was warranted because Mr Parry had failed to perform his daily duties.

One of those duties included using a hydration solution to keep the cadavers moist after they were used by students and staff.

Mr Parry said it would be obvious if a body was dehydrated because they “stop looking wet and shiny”.

The case has already come before the Fair Work Commission which granted Mr Parry an extension to file his complaint. Justice Charlesworth has reserved her judgment.