We take a closer look at incidents reported by the HSE and ask our team of experts what could have been done to prevent or mitigate them.

A school trust in Surrey has been fined after part of a pupil’s finger was amputated.

The five-year-old boy, a Year 1 pupil at Danetree Primary School in Epsom, had been leaving the toilet on 15 June 2022 when his right hand slipped and went into the hinge side of a door.

There was no door guard installed, and he trapped his right hand in the door.

This led to the tip of his middle finger becoming detached as his right hand was stuck in the door.

A teacher found the tip of his middle finger, and the boy underwent surgery to re-attach his finger at St Georges Hospital in Tooting, London.

Although younger pupils in Key Stage 1 were taught in a newer building where hinge guards had been fitted on the doors, the incident occurred in a separate building where the older children in Key Stage 2 were taught.

The Key Stage 1 pupils would use the Key Stage 2 building at least once a week to use its library and learn about music and science. While in this building, the Key Stage 1 pupils were allowed to use the toilets unsupervised.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation into the incident found GLF Schools, the trust that runs Danetree Primary School, had failed to identify the risk to its Key Stage 1 pupils while using the toilets. This meant hinge guards were not installed on the toilet doors of the building where Key Stage 2 pupils were taught.

GLF Schools, of Picquets Way, Banstead, Surrey, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The trust was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £6,875.70 in costs at Staines Magistrates’ Court on 30 October 2024.

Source :HSE

Matt Ellis, Head of Health & Safety at Stallard Kane says

“This incident highlights the need for robust health and safety protocols within the education sector. Schools must undertake comprehensive risk assessments that encompass not only educational activities but also all buildings and facilities. By proactively identifying risks, addressing shortcomings, and implementing plans to repair or replace inadequate finger guards and doors, schools can significantly enhance pupil safety.

Classroom and toilet doors used by Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stage 1, and Key Stage 2 students should be classified as high-risk areas, along with doors in entrances and corridors. Installing appropriate finger guards on these doors can greatly reduce the likelihood of finger-trapping injuries. Additionally, ensuring adequate supervision when younger pupils use facilities in buildings primarily designated for older students is crucial. By adopting these measures, schools can create a safer environment and prevent similar incidents in the future.”

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We take a closer look at incidents reported by the HSE and ask our team of experts what could have been done to prevent or mitigate them.

Company fined following risk to residents

A company has been fined following an outbreak of legionella at its sheltered housing accommodation in Birkenhead, putting vulnerable residents at risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

The deadly bacteria were detected at Vincent Naughton Court following the sampling of its water systems in the communal areas and flats in July and August 2018. With all 44 samples testing positive for legionella, the residents were evacuated from the Sanctuary Housing premises in August 2018. They returned in October and November 2018, after the water system was remedied through the installation of a chlorination unit.

The HSE investigation found that legionella was detected during testing on 16 and 31 July, which prompted a letter being written by Sanctuary Housing to residents, advising that work would be carried out on the water system on 6 August. The letter, dated 3 August, misleadingly stated that the contaminated tap water could be stored in sinks and boiled in kettles. 

More importantly, the letter failed to inform residents that they should avoid using their showers, which would lead to residents being exposed to the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. Further testing on 8 and 15 August confirmed legionella was still present as work to fix the water system was carried out. The residents were later evacuated on 24 August.

A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Sanctuary Housing poorly managed the risk of legionella in the water system of Vincent Naughton Court, with staff inadequately trained and supervised. The residents were a particularly vulnerable group due to their age and underlying health issues, putting them at a higher risk of contracting Legionnaires’ disease.

Sanctuary Housing Association, of Castle Street, Worcester pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £900,000 and ordered to pay £11,480.60 in costs at Liverpool Crown Court on 22 October 2024.

Source: HSE

Paul Kent , Senior Health & Safety Advisor at Stallard Kane

Being proactive and implementing a simple procedure when dealing with legionella risk could well have prevented this issue. 

A robust risk assessment, identification of the hazard and subsequent management by testing and treatment of the water system would have reduced, if not eliminated, any risk to the residents. Keeping records and monitoring results would have helped to maintain a safe environment within the building.

When having to react to the results provided by the HSE, the company should have provided suitable and sufficient information to the residents. This should have included the risk from showering in a contaminated water system. 

HSE guidance can be found at: Legionella and legionnaires’ disease – HSE

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