Sunbed boss left girl to burn

sara1981 · 11-18-2009, 01:39 AM

Sunbed boss left girl to burn
Sunbed boss left girl to burn | The Sun |News

Quote:

THE 'cavalier' boss of a tanning salon where a schoolgirl suffered 70 per cent burns during an unmanned session was today warned he faces jail.
Kirsty McRae, 14, was left red raw after 19 minutes on a coin-operated sunbed — the first time she had used one — a court heard.

She put £1 in for five minutes and then added another £3 for a further 15 minutes when she felt she wasn't getting tanned enough.

Four hours later she was rushed to hospital with first-degree burns to three quarters of her body, put on a drip and given oxygen while doctors rehydrated her and administered painkillers.

James Hadley, 25, the owner of the 'Lextan' salon in Barry, South Wales, admitted five health and safety offences.

They were failing to staff premises throughout opening hours, failing to ensure goggles were available for customers' use and failing to ensure sunbeds were capped at a maximum 15 minutes exposure.

He also admitted employing a young person without carrying out a risk assessment and making a false statement to council investigators.

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds said council health and safety inspectors had previously raised concerns with Hadley about the salon in October 2008 and January 2009.

Just days before Kirsty was burned in February a "disgruntled parent" had contacted him about teenagers who were visiting his salon straight after getting off the school bus.

District Judge John Charles adjourned the case for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and told Hadley he had taken "cavalier" approach to health and safety legislation.

He said: "The combined seriousness of the offences warrants rather more than a financial penalty.

"Suffice it to say the public have to be protected, particularly young persons."

He added: "These offences - the combined seriousness of them - warrant at least a community penalty or the possibility of a sentence of imprisonment."

Mr Reynolds said: "Lextan was an unmanned salon and would open at 7.30am by a timed lock and would close at 9.30pm.

"For the majority of that 14 hours the salon was not manned at all.

"Customers were allowed access to the tanning equipment, including the sunbeds without being able to access advice or information from a member of staff.

"Customers would be completely unsupervised."

Hadley told council investigators there was a risk of under-16s using his equipment — but said it was their own risk if they ignored warning signs.

Barry JPs heard health and safety officers tried to buy a £2 pair of goggles from a vending machine in the salon but it had sold out.

Hadley was given a scholarship from the Welsh Assembly government to study economics and management at Cardiff University.

The court heard after graduating he opened a chain of salons attracting up to 1,000 customers a week.

Defending, Mark Owen said: "Mr Hadley has an entrepreneurial spirit - his concept and business model was extremely well received.

"He is a young businessman who has done his very best in seeking to meet the various requirements of the council.

"He's not someone who takes his health and safety responsibilities lightly.

"Many customers of unmanned tanning salons use them precisely because they are unmanned.

"Customers were using the salons out of their own free will. There is no obligation on the public to walk in and use them."

The court heard the Health and Safety Executive has issued fresh guidelines following the injuries suffered by Kirsty.

Hadley, of Resolven, Neath, who owns six other salons, was released on bail until next month.

Kirsty's mother welcomed the threat of the jail sentence — if it prevents other children going through the same horror.

Jill McRae, 49, said: "I don't want to see any child again going through what my daughter has been through.

"It shows just how seriously the courts are taking health and safety issues these days surrounding tanning salons.

"Justice must be done and if the courts decide that means jail in this case then I would welcome it.

"We don't want vengeance or to make it personal - just to protect children.

"Kirsty's superficial scarring has healed now but we just don't know what the long term damage will be to her skin.

"It may take many years and that is a difficult thing for a 15-year-old to deal with. But we have had marvellous support from Cancer Research UK who have been wonderful.

"Kirsty now realises she should never have gone in that place and hopefully her experience will show others not to do the same."

dont let your teenager children go tanning stay out it!!

deafdude1 · 11-18-2009, 07:55 PM

Tanning beds should be banned! If someone wants to tan, just be outdoors! That would be your own choice for skin cancer.

Steel X · 11-19-2009, 03:59 AM

Wow...so totally irresponsible...the girl is VERY lucky to survive that.

Miss-Delectable · 11-19-2009, 04:11 AM

She might survive this injury. But will she survive if she's to be diagnosed with a malignant case of melanoma in few years time? I doubt it.

Her first visit to the solarium has put her at risk of developing melanoma by 75% and on the top she was burnt severly, which means the percentage has gone up, unfortunately.

I, on some level, always thought the solariums were dangerous long before official research has found out that solarium is linked to skin cancer. My sister did get some malignant spots on her skins and so far, she's lucky to be alive. However she must go to skin clinic and be checked out two times a year for the rest of her live.

Many solarium businesses has actually gone bust after the plight of Clare Oliver came out into the open. Tragically she died in her 20's two years ago, I think.

Dixie · 11-26-2009, 12:02 PM

For one, an unmanned solarium is asking only for trouble. Not just people harming themselves, but also vandals that could come and destroy property and steal.

And given this is from the The Sun and not a reputable source of information, I find this story a bit over the top. You'd think a 14 y/o girl would have gotten out of the tanning bed b/c after a while your skin would start to burn, not after 4 consecutive hours in the bed, and at 70% burns she likely would have gotten out of the bed much sooner than what the mother is claiming.

purplecatty · 12-02-2009, 01:57 AM

Sheesh she must be very lucky.

I read the local newspaper that one teenage girl (18 years old) visited 5 to 10 tanning booth place in a day. Two weeks later, she was very sick and was diagnosed for Ultravolent poisoning, she died in a week.

They changed the law forcing tanning booths everywhere to check other locations regardless of competitors booths to be sure that customer does not visit other booth in one day.

Catty

sara1981 · 12-09-2009, 03:25 AM

updates from britain dailymail

Judge calls for a ban on unmanned tanning salons after teenage girl suffers horrific burns
Judge calls for a ban on unmanned tanning salons after teenage girl suffers horrific burns | Mail Online

Quote:

A judge has called for action to stop the 'reckless' use of sunbeds after a 14-year-old girl suffered severe burns after using a sunbed.

Schoolgirl Kirsty McRae suffered 70 per cent burns after using the unmanned Lextan salon in February last year to get a quick tan.

James Hadley, 25, who owns the salon in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, was prosecuted under health and safety laws after Kirsty ended up on a drip in hospital.

Today he walked free from a court in Barry after being given 90 hours community service and a 12-month probation order. He was also ordered to pay costs of £6,000.

The court heard signs were 'wholly inadequate' in the Lextan salon, which is one of more than 300 unmanned coin-operated tanning centres in Britain, to protect young people wanting a quick tan.

District Judge John Charles said: 'Young people who are vulnerable need protection and for them these notices are wholly inadequate.

'The only analogy I can draw is that you wouldn't expect to see an unmanned, unsupervised off-licence.'

Kirsty put £1 into the coin-operated sunbed at the walk-in salon, but after four minutes felt she wasn't tanned enough so paid £3 for another 15 minutes.

Magistrates heard the fashion-conscious teenager left the salon in pain and was rushed into hospital four hours later suffering from horrific burns.

She was put on a drip and given oxygen while doctors rehydrated her and administered painkillers.

The judge said operating an unmanned salon was 'reckless' and he urged councils across Britain to take action.

He added: 'If there are other unmanned tanning salons trading today I sincerely hope local authorities in other areas will take the same approach as the Vale of Glamorgan has taken in this case 'It is in the public interest.'

Budding entrepreneur Hadley was given a scholarship from the Welsh Assembly government to study economics and management at Cardiff University.

The court heard after graduating he opened his chain of salons attracting up to 1,000 customers a week.

Judge Charles said Hadley had put commerical considerations above protecting the public but praised his efforts to 'make his way in the commercial world' in extremely difficult circumstances.

He said: 'At the time of the offences there was no guidance from the Health and Safety Executive that suggested that tanning salons should be manned.'

Prosecutor Lee Reynolds said Lextan was an unmanned salon open from 7.30 by a timed lock and would close at 9.30pm.

He said: 'For the majority of that 14 hours the salon was not manned at all. Customers were allowed access to the tanning equipment, including the sunbeds without being able to access advice or information from a member of staff.

'Customers would be completely unsupervised.'

Environmental health officers from the Vale of Glamorgan Council visited the salon after Kirsty was injured and tried to buy a £2 pair of goggles from a vending machine in the salon - but it had sold out.

Hadley, of Resolven, Neath, accepted there was a risk of under-16s using his equipment - but said it was their own risk if they ignored warning signs.

He also admitted making a false statement to council officers, failing to assess a young employee, failing to provide safety goggles, failing to staff the premises and operating the machines beyond recommended times.

After the case Hadley confirmed he would be continuing to operate tanning salons.

Kirsty's mother Jill McRae, 49, said: 'I don't want to see any child again going through what my daughter has been through.

'It shows just how seriously the courts are taking health and safety issues these days surrounding tanning salons.

'Kirsty's superficial scarring has healed now but we just don't know what the long term damage will be to her skin.

'It may take many years and that is a difficult thing for a 15-year-old to deal with. But we have had marvellous support from Cancer Research UK who have been wonderful.

'Kirsty now realises she should never have gone in that place and hopefully her experience will show others not to do the same.'

Phillips · 12-09-2009, 08:33 AM

Ouch! Yike!

Dixie · 12-10-2009, 09:02 PM

The 15-y/o knew how to read, there were signs posted warning of u-16s not to use the machines.

Maybe since this guy is so damn wealthy he could install card readers that in order to go in the salon you must swipe your ID. If you are under 16, the computer does not allow you access. It protects himself against such frivolous cases.

I think both parties in this situation only displayed extreme stupidity. 15-y/o was old enough to be aware of the risks of tanning beds and the owner was old enough to be aware of the fact that in his unmanned tanning shops were being abused and no one was on premises to ensure that all products and machinery were available to the public and that the machines were also working properly.

11-18-2009, 07:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
deafdude1 Getting stem cells soon! Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 1,269 Blog Entries: 1	Tanning beds should be banned! If someone wants to tan, just be outdoors! That would be your own choice for skin cancer. __________________ My reasons for choosing stem cells over CI are numerous. Many thousands have gotten stem cells for all conditions with 90% success rate. I have emailed/contacted stem cell centers, read articles, did my research and know the facts. Chloe got such good results she can hear well without HAs! My hearing loss is the same in both ears. Recent audiogram: 125Hz=55db, 250Hz=70db, 500Hz=90db, 750Hz=110db, 1000Hz-8000Hz=NR at 110db. I discuss my deafness and stem cells in my blog

11-19-2009, 03:59 AM	#3 (permalink)
Steel X Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 13,404	Wow...so totally irresponsible...the girl is VERY lucky to survive that. __________________

11-19-2009, 04:11 AM	#4 (permalink)
Miss-Delectable Capt Tony Nelson, Jeannie Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: No.1 Shopping Capital in Australia Posts: 10,809 Blog Entries: 3	She might survive this injury. But will she survive if she's to be diagnosed with a malignant case of melanoma in few years time? I doubt it. Her first visit to the solarium has put her at risk of developing melanoma by 75% and on the top she was burnt severly, which means the percentage has gone up, unfortunately. I, on some level, always thought the solariums were dangerous long before official research has found out that solarium is linked to skin cancer. My sister did get some malignant spots on her skins and so far, she's lucky to be alive. However she must go to skin clinic and be checked out two times a year for the rest of her live. Many solarium businesses has actually gone bust after the plight of Clare Oliver came out into the open. Tragically she died in her 20's two years ago, I think. __________________

11-26-2009, 12:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
Dixie Biggest Wimp of AllDeaf Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 6,609	For one, an unmanned solarium is asking only for trouble. Not just people harming themselves, but also vandals that could come and destroy property and steal. And given this is from the The Sun and not a reputable source of information, I find this story a bit over the top. You'd think a 14 y/o girl would have gotten out of the tanning bed b/c after a while your skin would start to burn, not after 4 consecutive hours in the bed, and at 70% burns she likely would have gotten out of the bed much sooner than what the mother is claiming. __________________ Visit my Deaf Blog Signature banner created by me, please do not steal!

12-09-2009, 08:33 AM	#8 (permalink)
Phillips Lets ride horses! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Spaceship Posts: 9,453 Blog Entries: 3	Ouch! Yike! __________________ *Enjoy life today, Yesterday has past and Tomorrow may never come.*

Today
Deafness	Sponsored Links __________________ This advertising will not be shown in this way to registered members. Register your free account today and become a member on AllDeaf.com

12-02-2009, 01:57 AM	#6 (permalink)
purplecatty Cool Guy!! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Center of the USA Posts: 2,587	Sheesh she must be very lucky. I read the local newspaper that one teenage girl (18 years old) visited 5 to 10 tanning booth place in a day. Two weeks later, she was very sick and was diagnosed for Ultravolent poisoning, she died in a week. They changed the law forcing tanning booths everywhere to check other locations regardless of competitors booths to be sure that customer does not visit other booth in one day. Catty

12-10-2009, 09:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Dixie Biggest Wimp of AllDeaf Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arkansas Posts: 6,609	The 15-y/o knew how to read, there were signs posted warning of u-16s not to use the machines. Maybe since this guy is so damn wealthy he could install card readers that in order to go in the salon you must swipe your ID. If you are under 16, the computer does not allow you access. It protects himself against such frivolous cases. I think both parties in this situation only displayed extreme stupidity. 15-y/o was old enough to be aware of the risks of tanning beds and the owner was old enough to be aware of the fact that in his unmanned tanning shops were being abused and no one was on premises to ensure that all products and machinery were available to the public and that the machines were also working properly. __________________ Visit my Deaf Blog Signature banner created by me, please do not steal!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode