Classroom risks must be checked

SCHOOLS in Derby have been warned to carry out risk assessments if they are using hazardous substances in classrooms during lessons.

It follows a case in Lincolnshire where a 16-year-old girl lost eight fingers after she was severely burned putting her hands in hot plaster of Paris.

The school involved was told to pay £19,000 in fines and costs for a breach of health and safety regulations.

John Tyler, Derby City Council health and safety team leader, has written to city schools to emphasise the need for advance risk assessment.

He said: "In this case, pupils were not told by their teacher of the potential dangers of plaster of Paris and they had not been instructed to wear gloves or other protective equipment.

"A simple risk assessment would have prevented this incident."