Horrific plaster of Paris incident at school

It’s not only schools who should be learning lessons about the dangers of playing with plaster of Paris.

Plenty of baby casting kits and craft toys aimed at children also use the substance and parents should be aware of the dangers it can pose.

A school has just been fined after one of its pupil suffered a horrific plaster of Paris related incident.

A sixth form student was left with just two fingers after trying to make a cast of her hands in an A-Level art and design class.

The horrifying incident happened at the Giles School of Church End, Old Leake, Boston, Lincolnshire.

The student sought advice from her teacher on how best to create a cast having spotted one a pupil had already made.

Unaware of the chemical reaction taking place when plaster of Paris is mixed with water, the 16 year old student put her hands directly into the mix. They quickly stuck fast and began to burn.

The result of the terrible injuries sustained left her having seven fingers amputated.

The school failed to carry out a basic risk assessment on the dangers of working with the substance and advice on handling and using plaster of Paris was not given to the students.

The Governing Body of the school was fined £16,500 and ordered to pay £2,500 costs at Boston Magistrates’ Court.

HSE inspector Jo Anderson said:”Today we have heard the dreadful consequence of not carrying out proper risk assessments in the classroom. It is simply not acceptable that pupils in a classroom setting are not informed and prepared for the risks involved in handling hazardous substances.

“The message we want the public to understand is that risk assessments in educational establishments must not be viewed as burdensome, but instead, paramount to pupil safety.

“This case has prompted a general drive for HSE to offer advice and awareness at independent schools.

“Governing bodies of independent schools must realise the importance of the implementation of health and safety measures to prevent further incidents which can have such a drastic effect on student’s lives.”