This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6485481.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Amputation after art class burns | Amputation after art class burns |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A teenage girl had to have most of her fingers and thumbs amputated because of severe burns caused by mixing plaster of Paris by hand during an art class. | A teenage girl had to have most of her fingers and thumbs amputated because of severe burns caused by mixing plaster of Paris by hand during an art class. |
The 16-year-old girl is said to have suffered third degree burns as the plaster set. | |
It happened in January at Giles School and Sixth Form Centre in Old Leake, Lincolnshire, a visual arts specialist. | It happened in January at Giles School and Sixth Form Centre in Old Leake, Lincolnshire, a visual arts specialist. |
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating and safety warnings are being circulated to other schools. | The Health and Safety Executive is investigating and safety warnings are being circulated to other schools. |
The Giles School's head teacher, Chris Walls, said in a statement: "I can confirm that a serious accident did occur in our art department at the end of January and that the Health and Safety Executive are involved. | The Giles School's head teacher, Chris Walls, said in a statement: "I can confirm that a serious accident did occur in our art department at the end of January and that the Health and Safety Executive are involved. |
"They are in the initial stages of their enquiry into this accident and we do not wish to make any further comment until this has been completed." | "They are in the initial stages of their enquiry into this accident and we do not wish to make any further comment until this has been completed." |
The executive told the BBC News website that the girl had lost her thumbs and most of her fingers. | The executive told the BBC News website that the girl had lost her thumbs and most of her fingers. |
Fractures | Fractures |
The warning is now circulating in safety bulletins distributed to schools by local authorities. | The warning is now circulating in safety bulletins distributed to schools by local authorities. |
It was sent out by the school science advisory service, Cleapss. | It was sent out by the school science advisory service, Cleapss. |
"In the incident a girl was mixing plaster of Paris with water by hand, intending to make a plaster cast of her hand," it said. | "In the incident a girl was mixing plaster of Paris with water by hand, intending to make a plaster cast of her hand," it said. |
It said there had been a similar incident a few years ago, in which a pupil had lost two fingers. | It said there had been a similar incident a few years ago, in which a pupil had lost two fingers. |
"Plaster of Paris is of course used for setting fractured bones but in such cases it is never put in direct contact with the skin. | "Plaster of Paris is of course used for setting fractured bones but in such cases it is never put in direct contact with the skin. |
"In addition, it is used in relatively thin layers so the heat can dissipate. In bulk, the temperature can reach 60°C or so." | "In addition, it is used in relatively thin layers so the heat can dissipate. In bulk, the temperature can reach 60°C or so." |
Reaction | Reaction |
Other experts say plaster and similar products such as stucco and concrete do get extremely hot as they set. | Other experts say plaster and similar products such as stucco and concrete do get extremely hot as they set. |
One industry website warns: "When you pour a plaster statue or mix a large batch of plaster a chemical reaction takes place during the setting process and the cast plaster heats up as it hardens. | One industry website warns: "When you pour a plaster statue or mix a large batch of plaster a chemical reaction takes place during the setting process and the cast plaster heats up as it hardens. |
"The larger the volume you cast, the more it will heat up. Temperatures may reach 150° deep within the mass of a large casting. | "The larger the volume you cast, the more it will heat up. Temperatures may reach 150° deep within the mass of a large casting. |
"Do not encase any of your body parts or anyone else's in plaster." | "Do not encase any of your body parts or anyone else's in plaster." |
Previous version
1
Next version