A STUDENT at a Clacton school escaped serious injury when a metal rod flew from a piece of engineering equipment and hit him in the shoulder.Lee Yang, 18, suffered from internal bleeding when he was struck by the solid bar while he was being taught how to use a lathe at Colbayns School.

By Roddy Ashworth

A STUDENT at a Clacton school escaped serious injury when a metal rod flew from a piece of engineering equipment and hit him in the shoulder.

Lee Yang, 18, suffered from internal bleeding when he was struck by the solid bar while he was being taught how to use a lathe at Colbayns School.

He was taken to hospital where he was treated at casualty.

The accident left both students and staff shocked, and has been reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Yesterday headteacher Nick Pavitt said: “Lee is a year 13 student, going off to university in September, all being well.

“He is studying A Level Design and Technology, and needed a particular piece cut from the lathe for a project he is doing.

“The teacher was demonstrating how to use the machine and the metal rod to be cut was put in and held still while the cutting piece was rotating.

“Lee and a group of students were watching. They were all wearing safety goggles.

“The tail of the piece of metal whipped out at a 90 degree angle.

“Lee, who was behind the yellow safety line but was nearest to the lathe, was caught by it on the shoulder.”

Mr Pavitt said initially there was concern that Lee might have broken his shoulder.

But after visiting casualty, where he was X-rayed, the student was told he had some bruising but there was no break.

Mr Pavitt added: “He is such a dedicated student that after they gave him some painkillers he came straight back to school.

“We were very lucky. We do not know what caused it and we are waiting to see what the HSE want to do.

“The teacher involved was shocked. He is a very experienced teacher who has been working here for many years.

“He is very familiar with the machine, and the health and safety training for all staff is up to date.

“The machine is tested annually and is up to all health and safety standards. It is checked each time before it is used.

“We have now disabled the lathe, taken photographs, filled in the correct forms and left the piece of metal in place in case an HSE inspector wants to visit.

“There are suspicions there was a fault in the rod itself, but when I know what the HSE want to do I will decide how to investigate further.

“We were all extremely shocked, and very glad and grateful Lee was spared more serious injury.”

Yesterday an HSE spokesman said a report had been received from the school and would be considered by officers.