HSE Press Office: Putting the record straight

The Editor
The Daily Telegraph
Salters Hall
3 rd Floor
4 Fore Street
London
EC2Y 5DT

12 July 2005

Dear Sir

Your report on a boy with a broken leg being banned from junior school “as a safety hazard” (7 th July) completely omitted to mention that the boy is in a wheelchair with his leg outstretched in soft plaster. As the headteacher made clear in her statement, she was concerned that the boy could be injured further if he returned to school. She also said that once he has been fitted with a walking cast, he would be able to resume his lessons. For the record, the Health and Safety Executive was not consulted and gave no advice.

Yours faithfully

Timothy Walker

Director General, Health and Safety Executive