Technician injured in explosion

Reagent bottles

Source: © iStock

A Bristol school has been fined for failure to ensure the safety of its employees

A school chemistry technician lost parts of three fingers and ruptured his bowel when a mixture he was preparing exploded.

Prosecuting, the Health and Safety Executive (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.

David Sait reports on this accident and on the CLEAPSS director's advice for schools in the wake of this.

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