Teacher fined over classroom explosion
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A TEACHER was yesterdayfined pounds 250 and ordered to pay pounds 4,232 costs for a classroom accident which left himself and four pupils injured.
Brian Watkins, 52, was demonstrating last April how to make a screwdriver handle using molten aluminium when there was an explosion, magistrates at Newport, Gwent, were told.
The design and technology teacher at Duffryn High School in Newport suffered injuries to an eye and an arm, and four sixth-form boys were splashed with molten metal. None of the pupils was seriously hurt.
Watkins, who denied the charge, was convicted of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by failing to take reasonable care of himself and others. No one in the classroom was wearing protective clothing.
The teacher has since retired due to ill-health.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments