Retail Motor Law

During January 2008 a work experience student suffered burns when brake cleaning fluid ignited after being sprayed onto a running engine by a colleague. This resulted in a fireball melting the plastic print on the student’s T. Shirt and onto the student’s skin.

The student was undertaking work experience at a garage in Sleaford, Lincolnshire. As a result of this the garage was fined £15,000 under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and was ordered to pay £9000 costs.

After the case the HSE inspector commented that the accident could have been avoided if the risk had been assessed and controlled properly, taking into account the fact that the work experience students are not trained and qualified as the company’s regular employees, and are therefore more vulnerable.

The boy returned to his studies the day after the accident and went on to become a member of staff at the garage.

Finally if you allow work experience from local schools/ colleges, risk assessments should be carried out and updated. The overall rule is that young people under 18 years old must not be allowed to do work which:

• Cannot be adapted to meet any physical or mental limitations they may have;
• Exposes them to substances which are toxic or cause cancer;
• Exposes them to radiation;
• Involves extreme heat, noise or vibration....”

The HSE produce a helpful Booklet which can be downloaded at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg364.pdf.

In addition RML has created a Work Experience Checklist which members can obtain by telephoning RML or emailing This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .