A year 1 pupil had been leaving the toilet when their right hand slipped and went into the hinge side of a door. There was no door guard installed and they trapped their right hand in the door.

This led to the tip of the middle finger becoming detached as their right hand was stuck in the door. The pupil underwent surgery to re-attach the finger.

Pupils in Key Stage 1 were taught in a newer building where hinge guards had been fitted on the doors, the incident occurred in a separate building where the older children in Key Stage 2 were taught.

The Key Stage 1 pupils would use the Key Stage 2 building at least once a week to use its library and learn about music and science. While in this building, the Key Stage 1 pupils were allowed to use the toilets unsupervised.

The HSE found the trust failed to identify the risk to its Key Stage 1 pupils while using the toilets. Hinge guards were not installed on the toilet doors of the building where Key Stage 2 pupils were taught.

The trust pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The trust was fined £6,000 and ordered to pay £6,875.70 in costs.

The HSE inspector said: “The pupil and family could have been spared a lot of pain and upset if the trust had installed widely available, effective and inexpensive hinge guards on the doors the young children had access to.

The HSE Inspector stated that all schools should review their estates to make sure they have hinge guards where needed so no other children are hurt in this way when at school.

In light of this advice from the HSE, we want to remind you of our initial guidance circulated in the Schools Bulletin in June 2023 and the further development of a comprehensive guidance document to help assist you with identifying hazards, assessing risks and implementing controls to reduce the risks of finger entrapment. Communications regarding this guidance was issued in the schools Circular in January 2024. 

The guidance document is available on the Schools Information Portal (SIP) in the subscriber section under: Policies and guidance / accidents, Incidents and near misses heading. 

For more information contact Darren Allsobrook

Email: Darren.allsobrook@derby.gov.uk 

Telephone Number: 01332 642380