Luton Borough Council has been substantially fined for not having risk assessments in place to protect staff at a local secondary school.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecuted the local authority after a teacher at Putteridge High School was left with life-changing injuries following an assault from a pupil.  

HSE investigators found that:

·       There were significant shortcomings in the measures at the school regarding violence and aggression, which the council had failed to pick up and address 
·       Luton Borough Council failed to ensure that there were sufficient people with competence in the management of health and safety involved in running the school
·       Staff members at the school did not have the training to deal with violent and aggressive pupils in a way which minimised their exposure to risk

Luton Borough Council admitted breaching section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act and was fined £104,000 plus £60,000 costs. The fine was reduced from £300,000 due to the council’s lack of revenue as a result of the coronavirus pandemic

IOSH Magazine: Cash strapped council’s fine over teacher’s assault cut due to COVID