The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have prosecuted Cargilfield School in Scotland, following an incident where a pupil was injured by a band saw.
From 1 September 2015 to 2 November 2017 the schools' construction design and technology workshop had allowed pupils to make wooden boxes using a band saw. The band saw is classed as a dangerous machine and the pupil, in this case, sustained severe cuts to their middle and index figure, suffering severe tendon damage when using that machinery.
The HSE found that the school had failed to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for the use of the band saw and had also failed to adequately supervise pupils during its use. At the time of the incident, the pupil was using the band saw to make a freehand cut without adequate workpiece support and without adequate supervision.
HSE Inspector, Karen Moran, commented: ''A band saw is considered a dangerous machine when used by adults, let alone children. This significant and very serious injury could have been prevented had the risk been identified and properly managed. All schools should take steps to ensure the safety of their pupils and HSE will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action against those that fall below the required standards.''
Cargilfield School pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, and were fined £3,350.
