WorkSafe ’working’ to prevent recurrence of 2018 tragedy involving deckhand Harry Evans

NT WorkSafe says it is “actively working” with the seafood industry to reduce the risk of deckhands like Briton Harry Evans from being bitten and killed by sea snakes while on the job.

A Facebook image of Harry Evans who died from a sea snake bite in 2018

NT’s workplace health and safety body says it is “actively working” with the seafood industry to reduce the risk of deckhands like Briton Harry Evans from being bitten and killed by sea snakes while on the job.

Coroner Greg Cavanagh, in a report earlier this year into the death of Mr Evans from a sea snake bite, criticised NT WorkSafe for not doing enough to make sure deficient workplace health and safety practices were fixed.

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Harry Evans, 23, from Dorset in southwest England died after he was bitten by a sea snake while working on prawn trawler The Ocean Explorer in the Gulf of Carpentaria, in October 2018.

Mr Evans had been folding a fishing net on the tray of the trawler without gloves on when he was bitten by a sea snake.

The court found how quickly Mr Evans had received professional medical help would have made no difference due to the toxicity of sea snake venom, though it would be beneficial in the future if those working on trawlers had more awareness on how to prevent snakebites.

Judge Cavanagh called on Mr Evans’ employer WA Seafood Export Pty Ltd along with others in the industry to develop an awareness and training videos to teach workers the risks involved.

He also called on NT WorkSafe to take action to fix OH&S issues when they are found.

In a response tabled in parliament last week, NT WorkSafe said it had been working with WA Seafood Exporters Pty Ltd and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority to fix up safety management problems.

It also said it had been “actively working” with the seafood industry to increase knowledge around dangerous sea creatures, risk management” and safety requirements.