There was no thermo-static mixing valve!
A company which runs a nursing home in Essex has today been fined after an elderly man was lowered into a bath filled with water possibly as hot as 72°C.
Michael Ginn (72) was living at West House Nursing Home in St Vincent’s Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Southend, when he suffered first degree burns to his feet on 5 May 2009.
Mr Ginn, who is unable to walk, was being bathed by two care assistants. He was lowered into the bath using a hoist but immediately began to cry out that the water was too hot. Despite being quickly raised out of the bath and having his feet immersed in cold water, Mr Ginn suffered first degree burns to both feet and was kept overnight at Southend Hospital.
Rootcroft Ltd, of 71 Sunnyfield, Mill Hill, London, which runs the nursing home, appeared at Southend Magistrates’ Court today and admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The company was fined £5,000 and ordered to pay £5,989 in costs. The company was also ordered to pay the victim £500 in compensation.
Investigations by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found no thermostatic mixing valve was fitted to the water supply to prevent the temperature exceeding 44°C. The bath was supplied with hot water from one of two tanks where the water was stored at 67°C and 72°C when checked by inspectors.
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