March 9th, 2009
A garage has been prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after a work experience student was seriously injured in an accident on his placement.
The unnamed pupil was working at Holdingham Garage in Sleaford, owned by Hockmeyer Motors, when he was caught in the path of a fireball caused by igniting brake fluid being sprayed onto a running engine.
He was badly burnt and his t-shirt was melted onto his chest.
HSE inspector Judith McNulty-Green said the accident could have been avoided if the risks associated with using the solvent in this way had been assessed.
"It is imperative that if companies contract to have work experience pupils from local schools they update any risk assessments," she added.
Hockmeyer Motors was fined and prosecuted under health and safety regulations.
According to guidelines from the HSE, students participating in work experience are regarded as the placement provider’s employees for the purpose of health and safety.
The placement provider must assess any risks to the pupil and should maintain the appropriate measures to avoid them.
Tags: Brake Fluid, Fireball, Health And Safety, Health And Safety Executive, Hse, Local Schools, Mcnulty, Measures, Placement Provider, Pupil, Pupils, Risk Assessments, Safety Regulations, Sleaford, Solvent, T Shirt, Work Experience Student
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February 11th, 2009
A teacher who claims she suffered post traumatic stress disorder after being repeatedly attacked by a pupil is seeking compensation from her former employer.
Teresa McCarthy, who worked at Drummond School in Inverness, was off work with stress and depression after the 13-year-old autistic boy punched her and pulled her hair over four attacks, the Press and Journal reports.
She is now suing Highland council for £250,000 in damages, alleging that she should have had better support from her line managers.
Giving evidence in court, psychologist Dr Peter Carr said: "If someone was attacked in an NHS hospital, no one would expect that person to go back to work and go back unprotected in the same situation. There would be enormous outcry about it."
Anyone who has suffered an assault at work, in a school or any other environment, may be eligible for personal injury compensation and should seek the advice of a solicitor within three years of the incident occurring.
Tags: Autistic Boy, Damages, Dr Peter, Evidence In Court, Giving Evidence In Court, Inverness, Line Managers, Nhs Hospital, Outcry, Personal Injury Compensation, Peter Carr, Post Traumatic Stress, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Psychologist, Pupil, Solicitor, Stress And Depression, Teresa Mccarthy, Traumatic Stress Disorder
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January 6th, 2009
A teacher who was assaulted by a pupil has been awarded compensation for the injuries he sustained.
Colin Adams, 50, was pushed to the floor, punched, kicked and strangled by the 12-year-old after he reprimanded him in 2004.
However, although other teachers were present, nobody was willing to step in for fear of being accused of pupil assault.
Eventually one colleague came to Mr Adams’ aid, pulling the pupil off him.
Mr Adams suffered injuries to his back and has been unable to work since the incident.
After a four-and-a-half year court battle, Mr Adams will now be awarded £250,000 in compensation.
"An appropriate financial settlement was agreed … based on Mr Adams’s loss of salary, future loss of earnings and damages for the injury he suffered," a spokesperson from Newham council commented.
Anyone who has suffered an assault at work, in a school or any other environment, may be eligible for personal injury compensation and should seek the advice of a solicitor within three years of the incident occurring.
Tags: Colin Adams, Colleague, Damages, Fear, Financial Settlement, Half Year, Loss Of Earnings, Newham Council, Personal Injury Compensation, Pupil, Salary, School Teacher, Solicitor, Spokesperson
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January 2nd, 2009
A teacher who was assaulted by a pupil more than four years ago has been awarded £250,000 compensation in an out-of-court settlement with Newham council.
Colin Adams, 50, was knocked to the ground and strangled by a 12-year-old boy in front of several colleagues at the school where he worked in 2004, the Newham Recorder reports.
The child had a history of violence that staff were apparently unaware of, as he had previously attacked a security guard and pupils at a nearby library.
Mr Adams’ workmates were reportedly slow to intervene to prevent the assault, with the colleague who eventually stepped in telling the victim that he was scared that he would be accused of assault himself.
A UPI article citing the Daily Mail quoted Mr Adams as blaming the current "can’t touch" culture that exists in schools.
Since the attack, Mr Adams has not been able to work due to back problems and stress.
Newham council commented: "An appropriate financial settlement was agreed … based on Mr Adams’s loss of salary, future loss of earnings and damages for the injury he suffered."
Tags: 250k, Colin Adams, Colleague, Colleagues, Court Settlement, Daily Mail, Damages, Financial Settlement, History Of Violence, Loss Of Earnings, Nearby Library, Newham Council, Newham Recorder, Pupil, Pupils, Quot, Security Guard, Upi Article, Workmates
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November 25th, 2008
A child who was injured during a technology lesson has been awarded compensation.
The unnamed pupil was in a woodwork lesson when another child flicked a file at him, This is Cornwall reports.
However, the file came off its handle, striking the child in the eye and causing him an injury.
He has now been paid £15,000 in compensation by Cornwall county council, which said that the amount represents the full cost of the claim to the authority, including the sum paid to the claimant and the legal costs for both parties.
In an accident at school which is caused by negligence or which could have been prevented, the injured person may be able to claim compensation.
Some are caused by faulty school facilities – for example holes in the playground or sharp sides on desks – or inadequate supervision and anyone who feels their child may have suffered as a result of this should seek legal advice.
Tags: Claimant, Cornwall County Council, Desks, Holes, Inadequate Supervision, Legal Advice, Negligence, Playground, Pupil, Technology Lesson, Woodwork
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