In November 2022 a student at Chabad Youth Limited was set on fire during a science experiment. An educator engaged by Chabad Youth for its after-school care program was conducting a science experiment called the ‘Carbon Sugar Snake Experiment’ for a group of students. There was no prepared lesson plan, no risk assessments were completed, and no students were provided with PPE such as fire-resistant coats or gloves.
Conducting the experiment required sand to be soaked in isopropyl alcohol and then lit on fire, however, the educator lit a match first and then poured the alcohol. Some of the alcohol splashed onto one of the students, who’s upper body and arms were quickly engulfed in flames.
The educator attempted to smother the flames on the student, and a Chabad Youth employee tried to extinguish the flames with a fire extinguisher, which resulted in the flames spreading. A fire blanket was eventually used to extinguish the fire.
The student was admitted to hospital with serious burns to 9% of his body, with the educator also admitted to hospital suffering 5% superficial dermal burns. Fire Rescue Victoria attended the workplace shortly after the incident and notified WorkSafe.
The controls for the risks arising from conducting this experiment were reasonably practicable to reduce or eliminate – providing PPE such as a fire-resistant coat, apron and/or gloves, and ensuring that the children observing the experiment were at least two metres away from the experiment.
Read more: $45,000 fine after student science experiment injury | WorkSafe Victoria
