Pupil in burns horror at firm
9:20am Monday 27th July 2009 in Search
A SCHOOLBOY has undergone a series of skin grafts after suffering horrific burns while on work experience.
Radcliffe Riverside pupil Jonathan Bonner, aged 15, was on a placement at Castlefield Works when he suffered 25 to 30 per cent burns.
It is understood waste was being burned at the site in Ebury Street, Radcliffe, last Thursday lunchtime when Jonathan was injured.
Ambulance and fire crews attended the scene and the teenager was taken to Fairfield Hospital, Bury, before being transferred to Manchester Royal Infirmary. He is expected to remain in hospital for the next couple of weeks.
Jonathan’s father, John Bonner, praised the quick-thinking actions of the company’s boss in helping his son, who is now making a slow recovery.
He said: “He has had five skins grafts to his forearms, stomach and legs.
“The treatment is going well and Jonathan is upbeat as is his nature, though he does get his low moments. He can’t wait to see his friends.”
Mr Bonner continued: “We don’t know what happened but he put something onto the fire and it blew back at him, setting him on fire.
“I really feel for the man who runs the company, because it was his quick response that actually saved Jonathan. He’s a really nice man and he going through a tough time too.”
A investigation by the Health and Safety Executive into the circumstances surrounding the incident has now been launched.
A spokesman for the agency said: “A prohibition notice has been served stopping waste matter being burned on the site until a full investigation has been carried into the incident.”
No one from Castlefield Works, which specialises in doors, windows and conservatives, was available for comment.
Bury Council are also probing the incident but stressed policies were in place for the safety of children undertaking work placements. The placement had been cleared through the relevant agencies.
A council spokesman said: “The council have procedures in place for risk assessments for work experience placements and there is an investigation taking place to ensure the necessary procedures were followed.”
The placement had been arranged through Bolton and Bury Education Business Partnership based in Knowsley Street, Bolton.
Tracy Hopkins, chief executive of the partnership, said: “We organise just short of 6,000 work placements a year across Bury and Bolton and visit every employer.
“This work place was visited on June 3 and a risk assessment and child protection policies were followed. We have been organising work placements at this work place since May 2003 and there has never been a incident.”
She added: “The police were involved initially but there was no criminal intent and it has been handed over to the Health and Safety Executive.”
