A chemistry laboratory technician lost parts of three fingers and sustained a serious internal injury while preparing a highly sensitive explosive for use in a ‘fireworks’ demonstration to a class of children.
Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard the now retired staff member lost the top joints of his left hand index, middle and ring fingers and ruptured his bowel while preparing the explosive at Bristol Cathedral Choir School.
The HSE prosecuting told the court the laboratory technician spent 12 days in total in hospital after the October 2014 incident. Although he returned to work in February 2015, he has since retired.
It was revealed that the preparation of explosive substances had been carried out in the school several times a year since 2009. The mixture in question and other substances had been used in ‘fireworks’ demonstrations. The court also heard that other explosive substances, namely flash powder and gunpowder, were stored in the school’s chemistry storeroom.
In working with a number of educational establishments over the years we have found similar storage and safe use issues when undertaking DSEAR assessments. It is normal that these establishments don’t have the necessary expertise in-house and therefore don’t understand the risks.
This is where it’s important to understand your knowledge gaps and call in expert help. If the risks are properly identified then controlling the risks can usually be easy to implement.
In this case the HSE said the incident could have been avoided if the school had implemented clear management arrangements to control and review the risks posed by the chemicals used in its teaching activities.
Bristol Cathedral Choir School, Bristol, admitted failures in relation to the HSWA. The school was fined a total of £26,000 and ordered to pay £12,176 costs.
After the case the HSE inspector commented that schools need to have clear health and safety arrangements in place for their staff and students. Rather than be put into this position why not ask our experts to advise on what you need to do to prevent such an accident occurring in your workplace.
