Management Information Sheet

Hazards:

The main hazard is trapping fingers, particularly pupils' fingers, in door opening mechanisms.

Consider:

• Have suitable finger guarding devices been fitted to doors identified by analysis of finger trapping accidents as high risk, i.e. to classroom doors, entrances to toilets and toilet cubicles used by Nursery or Key Stage 1 pupils?
• Do other doors pose a risk of finger trapping, eg doors which pupils congregate next to, doors which pupils queue beside, doors near entrances, doors susceptible to strong winds, doors which have created problems in the past (check accident records), heavy doors (with or without dampening mechanisms)?

If the premises has such doors, consider the following measures: -
• Try to reduce or remove the need for pupils to gather near doors.
• Can pupils queue in a different area or can nearby doors be locked?
• Give regular briefings to pupils on dangers of finger trapping.
• Provide enhanced supervision and awareness of staff in areas where finger guards are not fitted if children are allowed access.

Where the above measures are not practicable, finger guarding devices should be considered.

For further information on this please contact healthandsafety@norfolk.gov.uk