At Consult CPK, we advocate a culture of continuous safety – not only to comply with regulations but to protect lives and futures. A recent case involving Reaseheath College in Cheshire tragically illustrates what can happen when safety procedures are overlooked, particularly in environments involving young learners and dangerous equipment.
The Incident: Life-Changing Injury to a Young Student
In September 2023, Aaron Maguire, a 17-year-old horticulture student at Reaseheath College in Nantwich, suffered life-altering injuries after his hand came into contact with a mitre saw during a woodworking task. While cutting a piece of timber lengthwise, the wood twisted unexpectedly, pulling Aaron’s hand into the blade.
The result was catastrophic: multiple fingers and his thumb were severely injured. Though surgeons managed to reattach his thumb and index finger, Aaron lost his middle finger. Over a year later, he still faces complications and requires further surgery. The impact on his daily life and hobbies — particularly his passion for hockey — has been profound.
What Went Wrong?
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) uncovered a series of critical failings:
No adequate risk assessment was carried out for the mitre saw.
The college had not implemented a written safe system of work.
There was no formal record of the training or instruction provided to students.
No system was in place to determine the need for supervision.
No refresher training was given to students returning from summer break.
Most concerningly, the student had been observed using the equipment incorrectly earlier that same day — yet was allowed to continue using it unsupervised.
These failings highlight a systemic breakdown in the college’s health and safety management processes, particularly in regard to young persons, who are legally recognised as requiring additional protections due to their inexperience and developing judgement.
Legal and Financial Consequences
On 4 June 2025, Reaseheath College pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The college was fined £40,000 and ordered to pay £6,106 in costs at Chester Magistrates’ Court.
HSE Inspector Summer Foster stated:
“Places of education and workplaces must ensure that they have properly assessed the risks where young people are using dangerous machinery… A young man has been left with life-changing injuries as a result.”
The Broader Lesson for All Organisations
This tragic case serves as a stark reminder: health and safety is not an afterthought — it is a foundational duty. Whether in education, industry, or the voluntary sector, employers and training providers have a responsibility to:
- Conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments
- Establish and document safe systems of work
- Provide comprehensive and up-to-date training
- Ensure supervision levels reflect the competence and age of those involved
- Carry out regular safety checks and reviews of procedures, especially after breaks or changes in staffing
Supporting a Safer Future with Consult CPK, we help organisations build safety systems that protect not only their staff and learners, but also their reputations and futures. We offer expert support in:
- Risk assessments and procedural reviews
- Tailored health and safety training
- Compliance with PUWER and HSE-approved codes of practice
- Embedding a culture of preventative action rather than reactive response
Let this case be a call to action: don’t wait for a near-miss or a tragic incident. Proactive health and safety practices are not simply about avoiding fines — they are about safeguarding lives, ambitions, and futures.
For a safer tomorrow, act today.
