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School pupils sprayed with hydraulic fluid from adjoining construction site
The Derby Telegraph has reported that five pupils from Noel-Baker Community School, Alvaston, Derbyshire were taken to hospital after hydraulic fluid was released from the pipework of “pile driving equipment”. The pupils were on the school playing field at the time of the incident on 22nd June 2011.
It is believed that a fine mist of the liquid was released into the air after the hydraulic pipe “became loose or split”. The reports states the plant was in operation on the adjacent construction site where a £33m schools project is being carried out by Balfour Beatty Education. Work was stopped as an investigation was undertaken HSE.
Fluid left “red blotches” on skin
Headteacher Mal Kerr said:
“It’s a complete coincidence that the pupils were on the field, on the other side of a fence cordoning off the building work, when this should happen. The member of staff quickly got them inside and made them shower the liquid off their skins. As a precaution we called the emergency services and all the pupils were examined by paramedics while a fire crew cleaned up the area.
Where the fluid touched the skin, it seemed to leave behind red blotches, especially on those with sensitive skin. All five who went to hospital were discharged and went home very soon afterwards and we are expecting everyone to be OK for school today. I was extremely impressed by the response from all the emergency services.”
Tim Slater, of the East Midlands Ambulance Service, said:
“The hydraulic fluid was considered a low-risk substance and none of the patients was seriously affected by the contact. Before the arrival of our crews, school staff had commenced first aid and obtained information about the substance.”