South Africa
4 gold miners killed after earth tremors
An earth tremor measuring 1.7 on the Richter scale has led to 4 fatalities at
Gold Fields mines on Tuesday. At the Thabelang No 10 Shaft at Driefontein 3
miners were killed and 2 injured after a fall of ground occurred, another died
in a rock fall at South Deep.
30th April 2008.
|
South Korea
Korean figures show slight improvement
The Korean Occupational Safety and Health Agency reports 2,406 fatal workplace
accidents last year from a total of 90,147 work-related accidents, with 89% of
the fatalities occurring in construction and manufacturing.
There were 418 fatal falls on construction sites, with machine accidents and
electrocutions in factories accounting for 150 deaths.
Work-related illnesses killed 1,023 people, 515 were cardiovascular or cerebral,
442 pneumoconiosis.
30th April 2008.
|
China
Human error suspected in worst rail
accident in 11 years
At least 70 people died when 2 trains collided in a head-on collision in Zibo,
Shandong, the accident occurred on a bend and involved a train coming from
Yantai and another travelling from Beijing to Qingdao. The derailment left 400
others injured, 70 of whom are listed in critical condition.
The line dates back more than a century and is due to be superceded by the new
high-speed line for the summer Olympics. A new timetable was being implemented
on Monday, it has also been alleged that human error was involved and that the
T195 was travelling at 75mph on a 50mph stretch of line.
29th April 2008.
|
Ukraine
20 killed as helicopter clips Black Sea rig
A Mi-8 helicopter crashed on Monday during landing on the Tavrida floating
platform in the Black Sea, killing 20 Naftogas Ukraini personnel, the craft's
tail hit a rig support pole as it landed.
29th April 2008.
|
Morocco
Arrests after 55 die in Casablanca factory fire
Police have arrested the owner and manager of the family-owned Rosamar Furniture
factory in Casablanca where a weekend fire killed at least 55 people in the
4-storey building which manufactures mattresses. The fire broke out on the
ground floor, the building's lack of fire exits and grilles over windows made
access difficult for emergency services and egress difficult for victims.
28th April 2008.
|
Germany
ICE hits sheep in tunnel, derails;
Thuringia air show crash; Lower Saxony boat accident
A Hamburg-Munich Intercity Express train derailed in the Landenrucken tunnel
near Fulda after striking a flock of stray sheep in the tunnel, 4 of the 12
carriages derailed, leaving 19 passengers injured, 3 with fractures. The train
would have been travelling at 125mph at the time, the 7-mile long tunnel is
Germany's longest rail tunnel.
A light aircraft ran off the runway during take-off at the Eisenach air show in
Thuringia, running into a group of 10 spectators and killing 1 of them.
The authorities in Leer are investigating a fatal accident on a canal at
Moormerland in which 3 people drowned when a motor boat with 11 people on board
sank. The locus was some distance away from the road network making rescue
difficult. It is unclear if the boat was overcrowded or if passengers were
wearing flotation aids, the canal is 1-metre deep at this point.
28th April 2008.
|
France
Plane crashes on take-off at Quiberon
A tourist light aircraft of Quiberon aeroclub crashed on Thursday afternoon on
take-off at the end of the runway in Quiberon, killing all 3 persons on board.
25th April 2008.
|
Canada
Body recovered at Calgary warehouse
A worker's body was recovered on Thursday from under a pile of collapsed racking
and loaded pallets which came down on him at Direct Distribution Centre's depot
on 69th Avenue SE, southeast Calgary, where he was working with a hand-operated
forklift truck.
25th April 2008.
|
India
Elephant kills 3 people at Kerala temple
festival
An elephant ran amok on Wednesday during the 5th day of a temple festival in
Irinjalakkuda in Thrissar district, Kerala, killing 3 people at Koodalmanikyam
Temple, mahouts managed to later control and chain the animal prior to vets'
arrival to sedate it.
24th April 2008.
|
New Zealand
Heavy fine for falling concrete fatality
A fatal accident in July 2007 in Balclutha which saw a pre-cast concrete section
fall and kill a worker has led to a total fine of $90K(£36K) for Fulton Hogan
company where it was noted that the sections were freestanding in racks without
bracing.
24th April 2008.
|
USA
Stokes basket rescue from aggregate bin in
Massachusetts
A technical rescue team deployed a stokes basket and a crane to extract a worker
of Plant Outfitters of San Antonio, Texas, who became trapped on Monday in a
5-metre deep aggregate bin at Precast Specialities Corp in Abington,
Massachusetts. The worker had descended the internal ladder of the bin, which
was being relined, to retrieve debris from the base but the bin's pneumatic
clamshell gate which controls aggregate flow unexpectedly opened. He fell
through, his legs becoming trapped as it closed again. A stokes basket rescue
brought him up to the top of the bin, then a crane and forklift completed the
rescue. He is believed to have broken an ankle in the accident.
23rd April 2008.
|
Lithuania
German WW2 SD 250 bomb found at Birzai
A farmer encountered a 250Kg WW2 bomb in his fields near Birzai, north
Lithuania, at the weekend, the Lithuanian Army's mine-clearing unit conducted a
controlled explosion. The German SD 250 bomb contained 80Kg of explosives, the
structure of this design means that its safe handling after removal of the
detonator is problematical, thus the decision to cut into the shell and ignite
the explosives at the locus.
Additional care was required given the proximity of gas and electricity lines.
22nd April 2008.
|
Somalia
Tuna fishing boat seized by pirates
The Spanish naval frigate Mendez Nunez, F104, is sailing to the assistance of
the tuna fishing boat Playa de Bakio which was captured by pirates 250 miles off
the Somalian coast, the Basque boat is crewed by 26 fishermen.
22nd April 2008.
|
Spain
Worst bus accident in 7 years kills 9 Finns
The worst bus accident in 7 years has claimed the lives of 9 Scandinavian
tourists in Andalucia, travelling on an Ultramar Express coach which collided
after being struck by an overtaking car in Torremolinos.
Police have indicated that the car driver later gave a blood/alcohol test of
twice the legal limit. This section of the AP-7 is a notorious accident
blackspot, rarely a day passes without the occurrence of even a minor accident.
21st April 2008.
|
Ecuador
Quito disco fire claims 9 lives
A fire at the end of a rock concert in the Factory disco in south Quito killed
13 people and left another 35 injured at the weekend, there has been speculation
that an electrical malfunction or a pyrotechnics display at the end may have
caused the accident and allegations of overcrowding.
Local alcalde, Paco Moncayo, has indicated that the venue had no municipal
permit for such an event.
21st April 2008.
|
Canada
1 killed in Saskatchewan gas explosion
It is speculated that an excavator may have struck a gas line, causing the
explosion and fire on Friday in Nipawin, 150 miles northeast of Saskatoon, which
left 1 person dead and 5 injured, construction work was ongoing in the vicinity. 19th April 2008.
|
Russia
Miners missing after fire in Svalbard mine
An outbreak of fire occurred on Thursday at a mine in Barentsberg in the Russian
enclave of Svalbard off the Norwegian coast, 31 miners were working at the time,
2 remain uncounted for, the Norwegian Labour Inspection Authority is
investigating this incident.
18th April 2008.
|
Australia
Judge scathing in comments as record fine
applied
A judge in Victoria has urged a review of legislation to hold directors of
failed companies accountable for the deeds of the company in terms of safety and
liability. Having handed down the heaviest fine in Victoria for a single
workplace safety charge he commented on the "untouchability" of directors,
having imposed a fine of $400K(£186,047) against DMP Poultech Pty Ltd, a company
which no longer exits and thus a fine which could not be paid.
In December 2005, DMP was contracted to catch and transport chickens at a
Moorooduc farm. The task was undertaken at night and a relatively inexperienced
16-year old was operating a loading forklift truck. The lorry driver had begun
to secure his load, but during a forklift manoeuvre a 550Kg crate of live
poultry was knocked from the load and killed the lorry driver.
The company pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe workplace for persons
other than employees, the judge commented that an aggravating feature of the
accident was that its potential was clear and obvious.
18th April 2008.
|
New Zealand
7 deaths during canyoning trip
A rapid ingress of water into the Mangatepopo River led to the drowning of 6
students and a teacher from the Elim Christian College who were participating in
a canyoning expedition at the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuit Centre in the
Tongariro National Park. Helicopters recovered the last 2 bodies on Wednesday
from the river swollen by heavy rains, the party got into difficulties in the
Mangatepopo Gorge, it is estimated that at one stage water flow increased from
0.5 to 18m³/s within half an hour.
17th April 2008.
|
India
Bus crash kills dozens of schoolchildren
At least 44 Gujarat schoolchildren were killed on Wednesday when their bus came
off a bridge over a canal in Vadadora, 50 miles southwest of Ahmedabad, after a
tyre blew out, more than 60 children were on the bus, only 4 were known to have
been rescued. 17th April
2008.
|
Uganda
Dormitory school fire kills 20
An outbreak of fire killed 19 children aged 7-10 and
1 adult in the Nassolo dormitory at the Budo Junior School 8 miles from
Kampala, dozens of the 45 girls from primary 4 managed to escape through windows as
1 of the 2 outer doors
was locked.
A number of the injured children are listed in critical condition
in Mulago hospital. The dormitory was basically a converted classroom without an
emergency exit.
Police have yet to confirm the status of the adult recovered from the scene.
16th April 2008.
|
Germany
Propeller injuries kill pilot in Hessen
A pilot has died after being struck on the head by the propeller of his Cessna
172 aircraft at Ringheim airfield, Aschaffenburg, southeast of Frankfurt. He was
preparing to return to Michelstadt but the electronic ignition appeared to be
failing. He had gone to the front of the aircraft and was in the process of
checking the propeller when it suddenly activated.
15th April 2008.
|
South Africa
Rogue wave overturns shark watch boat
The 11-metre long Shark Team boat was struck broadside by a rogue wave off
Kleinbaai, overturning the catamaran and pitching the 9 crew and 10 passengers
into the water, 3 persons drowned. White Shark Project organises shark-watching
trips from a submerged cage, local swell conditions at the time were 2 metres.
15th April 2008.
|
The Netherlands
Drycleaners fire leaves 1 dead
Fire in a drycleaners in Dorpstraat in Mijdrecht saw 1 person killed, possibly
the proprietor living in accommodation above the premises, fire crews were
having difficulty accessing the body for recovery given the risk of a total
collapse of the burned out building.
14th April 2008.
|
Thailand
Site fatality in Pattaya
A structural collapse killed a construction worker on Saturday at the 7-storey
LK apartments site in Soi Bongkot in central Pattaya, the accident occurred on
the 5th floor, a concrete pour was taking place at the
time, 2 other workers were injured.
14th April 2008.
|
Spain
Methanol tank explosion in Aranjuez
A methanol tank exploded on Thursday at the premises of Fysa, part of the Ercos
group, on Paseo de Deleite in Aranjuez, 30 miles south of Madrid, an employee of
the chemical plant who was working at the tank at the time of the incident was
killed, 3 colleagues sustained critical injuries in the ensuing fire.
11th April 2008.
|
Australia
Company fined over fatal accident
An Industrial Magistrates Court in Adelaide has fined Graphic Installations
Grant McIvor a total of $46,500(£21,729) in respect of a fatal electrical
accident which occurred on 31st January 2005 when a worker was killed while
replacing a lighting tube at a car dealership in Prospect, north central
Adelaide.
The victim contacted a loose live wire during the operation which was being
undertaken without a safety harness or insulation equipment. The employer
pleaded guilty to failing to supply a safe workplace and failing to act on
warnings that the neon sign had no local isolation switch to disconnect its
power supply.
10th April 2008.
|
Germany
School swimming pool ceiling collapse
An investigation has begun in Kiel, Schleswig Holstein, into the collapse of a
ceiling at the Astrid-Lindgren school in Schwentinental, Klausdorf, the 250m²
decking fell 5 metres down into the pool which would have been full of children
just 1 hour later.
10th April 2008.
|
Australia
Bull shark kills NSW teenage surfer
The New South Wales government activated its
shark attack response following the death of a 16-year old student on Tuesday
while bodyboarding off Lighthouse Beach, Ballina, all Ballina regional beaches
have been closed. It is speculated that the attack was by a bull shark which
inflicted 2 bites. The victim's friend risked his own life to return to the
water and tow him back to the beach but the massive haemorrhaging proved fatal.
9th April 2008.
|
USA
Fatality during concrete pour at Key West airport
A vehicle ramp collapsed during a concrete pour on Tuesday at the site of
the new terminal at Key West International Airport in Florida, 2 workers were
trapped, 1 of whom died at the scene, his colleague is being treated for
injuries.
9th April 2008.
|
Japan
Fatal explosion at Yokohama perchloric plant
A worker was killed on Monday in an explosion at the Kanto Koatsu Kagaku Coy's
chemical plant which manufactures perchloric acid in Yokohama, the
accident occurred in a testing unit as a chlorine solution was being poured into
a high-pressure reactor tank on the 1st floor of the 2-storey building whose
roof and walls were completely destroyed.
8th April 2008.
|
England
Lancs social worker killed on house visit
A 48-year old employee of the Adult and Community Services Department of
Lancashire County Council was stabbed to death on Monday during a house visit in
Fulwood, Preston, Lancs police have made an arrest in connection with the
incident. 8th April 2008.
|
Argentina
Car rally spectator killed by flying wheel
A flying detached wheel from a car participating in the TC Pista rally at the
Rosendo Hernandez autodrome in San Luis, 500 miles west of Buenos Aires, has
killed a spectator and left another badly injured, the incident occurred on the
3rd lap at the 2nd bend, where the wheel travelled some distance over a safety
barrier before hitting 4 spectators.
7th April 2008.
|
USA
Fatal industrial accident in Georgia
A 21-year old machine operator was killed on Friday morning in an accident at
the Nichiha USA fibre cement product manufacturing plant in Macon, Georgia, it
is thought that he had been trying to retrieve a marker pen which had rolled
under a machine but somehow became drawn into it.
5th April 2008.
|
USA
3 drowned after Arkansas bridge scaffold
collapses
The collapse of scaffolding under a bridge spanning the Arkansas River
to the north of Little Rock saw 3 workers of Oscar Renda Contracting
Inc fall into the river, 1 body has been recovered the others are
missing, presumed drowned. The work under the Interstate 430 bridge is
in connection with the installation of a water main.
4th April 2008.
|
Canada
Heavy fine for severed arm at
timber plant
Ontario timber manufacturer Dament & Charles Lumber Manufacturing Ltd
has been fined $80K(£39,727) in Pembroke after pleading guilty to a
breach of the Occupational Health & Safety Act in respect of an
accident in May 2006 in which a worker lost an arm which was drawn
into machinery while trying to clear a blockage between a conveyor
belt and frame at its Laurentian Valley sawmill.
The company had failed to ensure a safe workplace whereby the
machinery could only be maintained or adjusted by a worker when it had
been deactivated.
4th April 2008.
|
Pakistan
Struck match explosion at gas
cylinder premises
At least 13 people died in an explosion on Wednesday in a gas cylinder
outlet in Faisalabad in central Pakistan. Around two dozen people were
on the premises as refuelling of cylinders was taking place, it is
speculated that the ignition source was a match struck for a
cigarette. 9 bodies have been recovered from the site, 4 others died
from injuries in hospital.
3rd April 2008.
|
Egypt
Fatal bus tyre blowout in Sinai
A tyre blow-out on a bus carrying European tourists from the Katherine
monastery to the Nuwaiba resort in the Sinai Peninsula killed the
driver and left 17 passengers injured on Wednesday, the latter are
being treated in the Scharm el Scheich Hospital in the south of the
peninsula. One of the front tyres blew out as the bus was negotiating
a bend. 3rd April
2008.
|
India
Confined space accident at waste
treatment plant
A confined space accident has claimed the lives of 3 workers at the
waste water treatment plant of Hindustan Petroleum & Chemicals Ltd at
Vizagapatnam, a port in Andhra Pradesh. As 2 workers were raising a
sluice gate using a chain pulley, 1 of them lost his balance and fell
in, the other victims died attempting his rescue from an oil waste
sewerage tank. 2nd
April 2008.
|
Slovenia
Ill-prepared hiking party
rescued off the Mangart
Italian and Slovenian authorities have rescued a party of 38
youngsters aged 15-22 who became caught in bad weather while hiking in
the Mangart range, the party was on the mountain road from Italy to
Slovenia when they were caught out by bad weather, many of the party
were unsuitably clothed for the altitude. After spending part of the
night at altitude they were taken down to the valley by helicopter.
2nd April 2008.
|
Angola
NCID building collapse kills 24
It is thought that the Angolan Interior Ministry may invite Portuguese
Engineering Laboratories to participate in investigation of the
weekend collapse of the 7-storey National Criminal Investigation
Department in Luanda, ongoing recovery work on Monday saw the death
tally rise to 24, with more than 150 people injured. At the time of
the collapse 180 people were inside, including 145 detainees. The
building was constructed 34 years ago during the Portuguese colonial
era, it is alleged that the top floor was added later and a
substantial generator was also later located on the top floor. Quite a
number of structural collapses in African towns and cities feature
additional development without building control.
1st April 2008.
|
India
Security/safety implications of
Mumbai airport death
The investigation into the death of a Cambata Aviation baggage
handler, killed by a speeding Air India bus at Mumbai (Bombay)'s Sahar
Airport, has become a security as well as a safety issue in the light
of Air India's information that the bus had no work assignment and the
driver's identity remains unknown. Indeed, he absconded the scene and
is being sought by police.
The fatal accident occurred at Bay 71 where the handler was working on
the loading of a Kenyan Airways flight. The bus, which should not have
been within this demarcated zone and was exceeding the 10mph speed
limit, struck the baggage wagon laden with 1,000Kg of luggage, and
this wagon then struck the handler.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India is now pursuing
this incident. 1st
April 2008.
|
|
India
India projects H & S education
The National Seminar on Industrial Safety & Health- Vision 2020, organised by
the Directorate General Factory Advice Service & Labour Institute, has called
for industrial safety and health to be part of the secondary school education
curriculum, with industrial safety a part of all diploma and graduate
engineering courses. It also wants factory inspectors to be trained on all
matters relating to the latest developments in industrial safety.
30th April 2008.
|
Argentina
Kitchen fire in Buenos Aires restaurant
A malfunction in a cooker led to a fire on Tuesday at the Padre Mugica
restaurant in Retiro, Buenos Aires, a house was destroyed in the incident which
saw 2 people treated for asphyxiation.
30th April 2008.
|
Japan
Sapporo brothel fire kills 3
An outbreak of fire in the Edojo brothel in the Susukino entertainment district
of Sapporo killed 3 people on Monday, 2 female employees and a customer who were
trapped on the top floor of the 4-storey building. The fire locus appears to
have been a 3rd floor storeroom, a subsequent power cut left the victims
trapped, their deaths are being attributed to CO inhalation.
29th April 2008.
|
Philippines
Falling concrete pole kills site worker
A construction worker died on Monday after being struck by a falling concrete
post at the Rosewood Point Building site in Taguig City, he had been working
with the post which became unstable and was struck on the head as he attempted
to run clear of its line of fall.
29th April 2008.
|
France
Girls dragged to deaths by bolting pony
Two girls aged 3 and 4 were dragged to their deaths by a pony at the weekend in
the rural village of Frossy in the Loire-Atlantique. Prior to the pony bolting,
the unsupervised children had attached a rope to the animal's harness and
themselves.
28th April 2008.
|
USA
Transport fatality at St Louis golf club
A worker driving a utility vehicle at the Quail Creek Golf Club in St Louis was
killed in a transport accident at the weekend after running into the rear of an
HGV trailer sitting on jacks, the trailer became unstable and fell on the
worker.
28th April 2008.
|
Australia
Hospital wary of spiders neurotoxic venom
An invasion of poisonous Redback spiders saw Baralaba Hospital in Queensland
evacuate wards of patients to conduct fumigation after an exceptionally high
number of eggs was discovered.
The Redback resembles the Black Widow but only the female bite inflicts poison,
which can prove fatal to the nervous system, although persons in good health
should withstand it. Around 250 such bites are recorded annually in Australia.
25th April 2008.
|
Libya
Technical problem at Total's Al-Jurf field
A technical problem has led to the suspension of production at Total's Al-Jurf
oilfield 62 miles off the Libyan coast. The field, in 90-metre deep water, began
operating in September 2003, with 10 wells linking to a floating storage
platform.
Lost production will amount to 45K barrels daily.
25th April 2008.
|
Canada
Worker killed in fall at Ontario reservoir
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 23-year old Ontarian
worker who has died in a fall at the new water treatment reservoir on Steeles
Avenue, Halton Hills, west of Toronto.
24th April 2008.
|
South Africa
CO fatality in Johannesburg
A malfunctioning power generator has killed a resident in the Kempton Park
district of Johannesburg, another relative has been hospitalised for treatment
for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Rescuers found intolerably high CO levels at the house on Wednesday, the area
had been experiencing a power blackout after a transformer exploded at a local
substation on Tuesday.
24th April 2008.
|
USA
Fatal accident inquiry at Montana electrical
contractor
An autopsy was being conducted on Tuesday to ascertain the cause of death of a
worker killed at Par Electrical Contractors, an industrial location between
Laurel and Billings, south Montana.
23rd April 2008.
|
Estonia
Child found dead in washing machine
An autopsy is to be conducted on the body of a 4-year old child found dead
inside a closed washing machine in Haapsalu, northeast Estonia. 22nd April 2008.
|
China
18 fishermen missing in typhoon Neoguri
The Hainan Maritime Safety Association has reported 18 missing fishermen being
caught in typhoon "Neoguri", 38 colleagues from the 3 missing boats managed to
shelter at Paracel Islands.
21st April 2008.
|
USA
Drill rig collapse fatal accident in West
Virginia
A drill rig collapse at a site in Rock Cave, 70 miles northeast of Charleston,
West Virginia, killed 2 workers of the 4-man crew of SW Jack Drilling Coy who
were drilling a well under contract to Keyspan Energy, the cause of the accident
is under investigation. 19th
April 2008.
|
Japan
Crane collapses in high winds at Chiba shipyard
Winds gusting to 45mph may have contributed to the collapse of a crane on Friday
morning at the Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Company in Ichihara, Chiba, the
crane operator escaped with light injuries. 19th
April 2008.
|
Philippines
Scaffold collapses in Quezon mall
A scaffold collapsed on Thursday at the Trinoma Mall in Quezon City, a
construction worker died and 4 others were injured, 2 are listed in comatose
condition.
The workers had been taking a break on the scaffold when it suddenly collapsed
at 2nd floor level. 18th
April 2008.
|
USA
Transport fatality at Alabama food depot
A worker has been killed after being struck by a lorry in the despatch area at
Tyson Foods in Blountsville, north Alabama.
18th April 2008.
|
Malta
Boy,3, killed in open shaft fall
A 3-year old boy died on Wednesday after falling 5 metres down an open shaft
leading to garages at premises in Zebbug.17th
April 2008.
|
Austria
Unstable excavation accident in Vienna
An excavator driver sustained life-threatening injuries on Wednesday morning
after falling into an excavation at a site on the Praterstrasse, Vienna, he had
just alighted from the excavator and was standing at the edge of the trench when
the earth gave way. 17th
April 2008.
|
Germany
Rowers missing in east Germany
Recovery teams have been searching the Elster canal near Leipzig for a
missing 12-year old youth from the Dessau-Rossblau rowing club whose
boat overturned after going over the 4-metre Elsterwehr weir
during a regatta. The boat was occupied by 4 rowers and a cox, another
11-year old rower was hospitalised in a coma condition.
Elsewhere in eastern Germany a rower is missing in the Alten Elbe near
Magdeburg, a colleague in the 2-man canoe managed to make it to the
bank. 16th April
2008.
|
Russia
Khabarovsky forestry worker
killed
A 49-year old
North Korean timber logger has died from injuries sustained felling trees in a
forest 50 miles from the base camp in Khabarovsky region, north of Vladivostok, he was
transferred to hospital in Saluk, Verknebureinsky County, where he died from his
head injuries. 16th April
2008.
|
New Zealand
Chlorine leakage at poultry
plant
The Labour Department is investigating a chlorine gas leakage on
Monday at the Brinks Chicken processing plant in Rolleston, 15 miles
southwest of Christchurch, an incident which saw 10 workers
hospitalised.
15th April 2008.
|
Moldova
Sudanese freight aircraft
crashes, 8 dead
The crash of an Antonov An-38 freight aircraft at Bachoi, just outside
Chisinau, killed all 8 crew on board, the flight encountered technical
problems shortly after take-off and wanted to return to Chisinau,
crashing through a boundary fence and hitting technical buildings. The
Sudanese aircraft had been making for Africa with a stop-over in
Turkey. 14th April
2008.
|
Japan
13 fishermen missing after collision
The collision of a Hong Kong freighter and a Chinese fishing boat
south of Kyushu saw 3 fishermen drowned and 13 missing, the incident
occurred 220 miles west of Takarajima island.
14th April 2008.
|
Norway
Safety to weigh heavier in gritting contracts
Statens Veigvesen (the Public Roads Administration) has indicated that tougher
criteria in terms of safety will be applied to contract tendering and awarding
for gritting and snow-ploughing of Norwegian highways next winter.
An independent study of several road accidents by the State Board of Accident
Investigations alleges that inadequate gritting and ploughing were contributory
factors in 3 accidents investigated. Budgetary constraints in the last 5 years
have seen price weighed with safety in contract awarding.
11th April 2008.
|
Spain
Cadiz worker killed in scaffold fall
A 21-year old employee of Tercosur, subcontracted to Rayet, has fallen
to his death from a scaffold at a construction site in central Cadiz,
he was engaged on concrete facing work when he fell from 3rd floor
level.
10th April 2008.
|
Pakistan
Nuclear plant explosion kills 2
workers
An explosion and fire following a gas leak at the Khushab heavy water
plant 150 miles southwest of Islamabad killed 2 workers on Tuesday,
the victims appeared to have been attempting to control the incident
which involved leakage from hydrogen phosphate cylinders.
9th April 2008.
|
South Korea
6 fishermen missing after
collision
The collision of a Chinese fishing boat and a South Korean freighter
near Mara Island off the Korean coast has left 6 fishermen missing, no
details of the collision have been established.
8th April 2008.
|
Serbia
Explosion at Belgrade pesticide
plant
An explosion occurred in a storage facility at the Galenka pesticide
plant in the Zemun district of Belgrade, the accident saw 22 firemen,
5 security workers and 2 policemen taken to the toxology department of
a military clinic for treatment.
The incident appeared to have been triggered by a minor fire during a
technical process, this led to the destruction of containers of
hazardous materials.
8th April 2008.
|
Australia
Tractor fatality in Tasmanian orchard
A 28-year old agricultural worker has died in a tractor accident in the Huon
Valley orchard area west of Hobart in southern Tasmania where
Workplace Standards have launched an investigation. He was on a
tractor during the gathering of tarpaulins when he somehow became
entangled. 7th
April 2008.
|
Belgium
Boat strikes Antwerp bridge
A Norwegian boat transporting cars has struck the Farnese bridge in
Antwerp on Sunday causing considerable damage, although navigation is
unaffected the bridge is expected to be out of commission to rail and
vehicle traffic for the rest of the year. No cause for the accident
has yet been established.
7th April 2008.
|
France
Girl taken too close to
lions' den
A 4-year old girl is recovering
from scratches and scrapes to her back and face which were inflicted
by a lioness at Saint-Jean-Cap Ferrat zoo, her uncle had apparently
taken her beyond a security fence and up against the lions' 4.5-metre
high enclosure.
It is thought that she had then been hoisted high by her uncle and the
lioness had leapt to her height and lashed out in the girl's
direction. She was treated in hospital at Nice but her injuries were
not life-threatening.
5th April 2008.
|
Belgium
High altitude debris smashes through roof
An employee of MCL on the Kanaal Noord industrial estate in Bree,
Limburg, narrowly escaped injury on Friday when a piece of metal
weighing 5 Kg came flying through the roof, it was extremely hot to
touch and is thought to have come from high altitude from either an
aircraft or satellite.
5th April 2008.
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Iceland
CO incident in highland cottage
A defective gas heater and inadequate ventilation has led to a double
fatality at a hunting cottage on the Audkulheidi heathland near the
Kjolur highland road by Blondulon lake in Iceland's northern
highlands. 4th
April 2008.
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USA
Worker loses arm at Connecticut
compost plant
A 29-year old worker's entire arm has been severed in an accident at
the New Milford Farms composting plant in New Milford, Connecticut, it
is not known if surgeons are attempting to reattach the severed limb.
4th April 2008.
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Switzerland
Zurich helicopter overturns on
landing
A helicopter overturned as it landed after a test flight on Thursday
at Thalheim an der Thur in Andelfingen, near Zurich, both pilots
survived the accident which saw the helicopter extensively damaged.
4th April 2008.
|
Japan
Bridge painter missing after
fall
A teenage painter is missing in the Seto Inland Sea after falling from
the Seto Ohashi bridge spanning the islands of Honshu and Shikoku. He
was part of a work crew painting the 20-year old bridge and fell from
a walkway while attempting to enter a service vehicle.
3rd April 2008.
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Russia
Gas explosion at Leningrad property
A gas leakage led to an explosion on Wednesday in a 5-storey apartment
block in Kharitonovo, in the Vyvorg district of Leningrad region, a
number of residents were injured but no fatalities have been reported.
3rd April 2008.
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Philippines
Triple fatality at Cebu site
Three workers died when steel trusses, on which they were working
during the erection of a new warehouse, failed at Tsuneishi Heavy
Industries Inc in Balamban, west Cebu, Metaphil Inc has launched an
investigation. 2nd
April 2008.
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Belgium
Gas main breached again in
Tongres
A work crew breached a gas main again in Maastrichtstraat in Tongres,
north of Liege, at midday on Tuesday, the risk of explosion saw 8
commercial premises and 5 shops evacuated.
A similar incident occurred in the same street last Friday.
2nd April 2008.
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Bahrain
Roof collapse kills Manama site
worker
The collapse of a roof at a building under construction on Isa Al
Kabir Avenue in Manama has killed 1 site worker and injured 4 others,
it is not known if a concrete pour was taking place at the time of the
accident. 1st April
2008.
|
|
Iceland
Cigarette led to retirement home fire
Preliminary investigation of a fire at a retirement home apartment block on
Dalbraut, Reykjavik, suggests that a cigarette may have caused the accident
which claimed the life of a female resident. Rescuers managed to evacuate 50
residents, 7 of whom required hospitalisation.
30th April 2008.
|
France
Gas leak in central Calais
A gas leak during maintenance work saw a large evacuation of central Calais on
Tuesday, 2 employees of Gaz de France required treatment.
30th April 2008.
|
Austria
Parachutist survives 2.5-mile fall
A 27-year old parachutist survived a 2.5-mile fall when his parachutes became
entangled during a jump from the Hohenems airfield in Vorarlberg. He was jumping
with a team of 15 others and had wanted to test a new parachute which he had
packed himself. His main parachute failed to open properly at 1.5 miles up, then
the reserve parachute became tangled with it. He landed in a garden in Dornbirn
and was hospitalised with serious injuries.
29th April 2008.
|
Rep Ireland
Explosion at Cork chemical plant
A 58-year old man was killed in an explosion on Monday at the Corden PharmaChem
facility in Little island, County Cork, some others were injured, the accident
is under investigation.
29th April 2008.
|
USA
Fatal fall at Tennessee hotel site
A construction worker was killed in a
weekend fall at the Embassy Suites site in Murfreesboro, 35 miles outside
Nashville, where Flintco Inc are constructing a hotel and conference centre.
28th April 2008.
|
Switzerland
Elderly care home fire
Three elderly residents of a care home in Le Landeron, Neuchatel, were
hospitalised at the weekend after fire broke out in a first floor room at the
home.
28th April 2008.
|
Sweden
Child killed on Skane rail line
Banverket is investigating an accident in which a 2-year old boy was killed by a
train on the Malmo-Helsinborg line after accessing the permanent way either
through fencing at his home or a nearby level crossing.
25th April 2008.
|
Brazil
Adventurer missing
An intensive sea and land search of the Atlantic coast has been taking place for
missing adventurer Adelir Antonio di Carli who took the air at Paranagua on
Sunday under the propulsion of hundreds of helium balloons to beat a 19-hour
airborne record. He was equipped with a parachute, GPS positioner and 5 days
supply of water and food. The discovery of some of the balloons 110 miles away
does not bode well for his safety.
He conducted a preliminary 4-hour test flight in January from Ampere to
Argentina.
25th April 2008.
|
USA
Virginia worker killed by falling air
compressor
A Bolivian national has been killed by a falling air compressor during its
installation into an HGV at premises on Filter Lane, Fredericksburg.
24th April 2008.
|
New Zealand
Worker's legs severed at recycling plant
A worker at the Taranaki Recycling plant on Waste Management's site at Bell
Block, northeast of New Plymouth, has had his legs severed below the knee after
becoming trapped in a baling machine at the plant.
23rd April 2008.
|
The Netherlands
Ammonia leakage at Rotterdam Central Station
square
Around 150kg of ammonia leaked from a container at the edge of the square of
Rotterdam Central Station on Tuesday afternoon, the site by the tram stop was
being prepared to be frozen by a specialist company prior to bore work, the
station was evacuated as the vapour drifted in the east wind.
23rd April 2008.
|
Spain
Hot work fatality
A 46-year old welder was killed during hot metal work at the Demag factory on
Buenos Aires Street on the Camporroso Industrial estate outside Alcala de
Henares, east of Madrid, he was working on a hollow iron beam, it is speculated
that gas entered the inner cavity and became unstable. 22nd April 2008.
|
Japan
CO incident after barbecue moved indoors
A double fatality carbon monoxide incident is being investigated in Fuefaki,
Yamanashi, when adverse weather forced an outdoor barbecue to be moved inside an
inadequately ventilated cabin.
21st April 2008.
|
Cyprus
Machine fatality in Limassol port
The 70-year old proprietor of a lift machinery company was killed in an accident
after sustaining a fractured skull while trying to remove a metal bar from a
structure at a site near Limassol port, he was using heavy machinery which
lacked a protective barrier. 19th
April 2008.
|
Australia
Mining fatality
The malfunction of an elevating work platform saw a worker sustain crush
injuries after becoming pinned against the roof of a mine while working almost 1
mile underground at Stawell Gold Mines in Victoria, he is expected to make a
full recovery following hospitalisation in Melbourne. 19th
April 2008.
|
Scotland
Fairground worker killed
It is reported that a man has succumbed to head injuries after apparently
falling as he worked at a fairground attraction at Links market in Kirkcaldy,
Fife. 18th April 2008.
|
Belgium
School fire incident
Sainte-Marie School in Huy was evacuated late on Thursday afternoon when fire
broke out in the school cellars, no injuries nor cause of the accident have been
reported. 18th April
2008.
|
Canada
Welder killed at Alberta biodiesel plant
A welder has died following an explosion during hot work on top of a biodiesel
settling tank of Western Biodiesel at Cayley, 45 miles south of Calgary, the
tank was located inside a building, it is speculated that arcing occurred.
17th April 2008.
|
Canada
Alberta transport depot fatality
A 52-year old woman was killed in an accident during
the coupling of trailers at a haulage depot southeast of Lavoy, 75 miles east of
Edmonton, a small trailer was being attached to a larger one behind a
gravel lorry. 16th
April 2008.
|
USA
Fall from height death
A 50-metre fall
from a suspended scaffold has killed a 42-year old employee of Todd & Sargent
Construction at the site of the new Christensen Farms feed mill
outside Thompson, Iowa.
16th April 2008.
|
Australia
Ground staff worker killed in platform fall
A 63-year old female ground staff worker was killed in a 7-metre fall
from a loading platform at Brisbane International Airport as she was
attempting to loading a catering trolley on to a Quantas Boeing 747
aircraft.
15th April 2008.
|
Brazil
Petrobras offshore platform
fatality
A cable failed during the transportation of a metal container by crane
on the Petrobras P-17 drilling platform in the Campos basin 90 miles
off the coast of Rio state, the falling load has killed an employee of
subcontractor Perbras.
14th April 2008.
|
USA
Barge worker killed on Tennessee
River
A barge worker was killed during the locking of barges in the Wilson
Dam on the Tennessee River in north Alabama, details have yet to be
confirmed but he sustained head injuries and fell into the water.
14th April 2008.
|
Iceland
Fire investigation at Iceland's tallest
building
Investigators were present on Thursday at the 20-storey Smaratorg building in
central Kopavogur, south of Reykjavik, where a fire broke out late on
Wednesday in a section under construction, the public were evacuated from the
78m-high
building which features a 20th floor panoramic restaurant.
11th April 2008.
|
Northern Ireland
Waste site accident
The operator of an excavator working at Fermanagh District Council's
Drummee Waste Management site outside Enniskillen has been seriously
injured in an accident.
One report states his machine fell over into part of the site which is
under water when the ground subsided beneath the vehicle.10th
April 2008.
Update 19th
April, it is reported that the accident victim has died.
|
USA
Arboreal fatality in California
A municipal arborist in Inglewood, Los Angeles, was killed on
Wednesday after falling into tree-trimming machinery on a work
assignment in 80th Street.
10th April 2008.
|
Canada
Flashover accident in Calgary
A worker is listed in stable condition in Calgary's Foothills Hospital
where he is being treated for 40% burns to his head and upper body
after a flashover occurred when a hydraulic line ignited as he was
using a cutting torch.
9th April 2008.
|
USA
Rodeo school student killed by
bull
An investigation is studying the circumstances of the death of a rodeo
school student who died from injuries inflicted by a bull after being
unseated during practice at the Ned McWherter Agricultural Pavilion in
Martin, northwest Tennessee, where Sankey Rodeo School of Montana had
hired the premises of the University of Tennessee campus.
The 49-year old student had been unseated by the bull and subsequently
gored but had been able to walk out of the arena. The students wear
protective vests but these could not absorb blunt force trauma.
9th April 2008.
|
Austria
Polish HGV driver fails breath
test
Police in Wals, Salzburg, found a Polish HGV driver from Tychy to have
a blood alcohol level of 2.72 promille at a test on Monday at the
Walserberg rest area on the motorway, his driving licence was
immediately confiscated.
8th April 2008.
|
Ireland
Worker's critical burns as gas
cylinder explodes
An employee of Michael McNamara & Co Ltd has been hospitalised in
Galway with critical burns to 40% of his body after a gas cylinder
exploded while they were working at Dromoland Castle hotel in County
Clare, a colleague sustained lesser injuries.
HSA is also dealing with a weekend accident in which a Latvian site
worker was killed by the falling bucket of a mechanical digger at
Concrete Precast in Newcastle, County Dublin.
7th April 2008.
|
Argentina
Illegal textile factory closed
Police in Moron, Buenos Aires, have arrested 2 Bolivians and charged
them under law 22.362, article 140 of Penal Code 25.871, of operating
an illegal textile factory from a house in Vuelta de Obligado Street
in Haedo, where 15 Bolivians have been living and working in
conditions termed sub-human.
5th April 2008.
|
Spain
Tractor crushes farmer
A 65-year old Valencian farmer has died in a tractor rollover accident
in the Vall d'Albaida after his vehicle overturned down an embankment
in La Fuente Street near Pobla del Duc.
5th April 2008.
|
Croatia
Perimeter wall accident kills
footballer
Zadar FC footballer Hrvoje Custic died in hospital on Thursday
following head injuries he sustained in last weekend's match against
Cibala Vinkovci when he slid off the pitch and his head struck a
perimeter wall 2 metres from the touchline.
4th April 2008.
|
Austria
Loose digger shovel clouts
workers
A shovel detached from the arms of an earth digger at a site in
Feldkirch, Karnten, on Thursday, striking 2 workers in an excavation.
The 80Kg shovel had just been replaced earlier in the morning by the
40-year old operator, the workers' injuries remain unknown.
4th April 2008.
|
Australia
Falling steel framework kills Victoria site worker
High winds have brought down the steel framework of a new building at
the Australand site in south Dandenong, southeast Melbourne, killing a
45-year old site worker.
3rd April 2008.
|
Malta
Fire outbreak
Fire engulfed the food warehouse of Francis Busuttil & Son in Santa
Verena on Wednesday, all 20 staff were safely evacuated, an
investigation begins today (Thursday).
3rd April 2008.
|
Spain
Rescuing bulldozer kills HGV
driver
It is reported that a 48-year old East European lorry driver has
died from head injuries sustained by a bulldozer during attempts to
free his vehicle from a landslide.
2nd April 2008.
|
Turkey
Worker falls from scaffold at Istanbul shipyard
An investigation is studying a fatal accident at the Sedef Shipyard in
Istanbul where a subcontract worker died in a fall from scaffolding,
it is alleged that he was climbing down the structure as opposed to
using the stairway.
This was the second fatal accident at the Sedef yard this year, a
teenager fell into a ship's hold in January. Only last week a
worker died in an accident at a Tuzla yard in Istanbul.
2nd April 2008.
|
Bangladesh
Boiler explosion kills 3 steel mill workers
A boiler explosion on Monday morning killed 3 steel mill workers at a
plant in Narayanganj, 10 miles east of Dhaka, 15 others were injured.
The mill had only reopened earlier this year following refurbishment
work. 1st April
2008.
|
England
Company fined following thumb
amputation
A court in Shropshire has fined Aga Consumer Products of Coalbrookdale
a total of £32K in respect of an accident at its kitchen manufacturing
plant in May 2006 where a worker had a thumb amputated after
contacting a rotating blade while attempting to ascertain if machinery
was blocked. 1st
April 2008.
|
|
Scotland
Cyclist killed in truck accident
A male cyclist in his 30's has died in an accident involving a dumper truck in
Edinburgh.
The accident occurred on Tuesday morning in West Richmond Street
30th April 2008.
|
England
Cattle trample woman to death
HSE is investigating an accident in which a woman was killed by cattle while she
walked her dog in a field at South Elmham, Suffolk, on Sunday.
30th April 2008.
|
Wales
S Wales fatal accident
It is reported that a man died in an industrial accident on Monday at the
Newport premises of Sims Metals UK Ltd.
30th April 2008.
|
England
Guard removal led to prosecution
A worker sustained multiple injuries when he became trapped in a rotating,
unguarded shaft between a tractor and a water bowser.
The incident occurred in May last year at Bishop Middleham Quarry near
Ferryhill, Durham, investigation found a guard on the machine had become damaged
and was removed by the quarry foreman who then instructed its use by the injured
workman.
W&M Thompson (Quarries) Ltd was in breach of r.5(1) of the Provision and
Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 for which it was fined £3,000 with £1,756
costs, the foreman was charged with breaching S.7 of the Health & Safety at Work
etc Act 1974 for which he was fined £1,200 with £500 costs.
29th April 2008.
|
England
London falls from height deaths
It is reported that 2 workmen died in industrial accidents last week.
A
scaffolding worker died on a site in Westminster and a man died in a fall on a
project in Wandsworth.
28th April 2008.
|
England
Farming worker killed in tractor accident
A man in his 70's has died of injuries received when he was crushed by a
reversing vehicle trailer on Tuesday. The accident occurred near Wray, Lancs.
28th April 2008.
|
Scotland
Stirlingshire industrial death
A man in his 20's has died in an industrial accident in Cowie.
The lorry driver was discovered lying near his vehicle at the premises of
Norbord on Wednesday, there has been speculation he may have been struck by a
falling object.
25th April 2008.
|
England
Driver seriously injured
A stock car driver competing at Ipswich's Foxhall Stadium was seriously injured
on Saturday evening.
It is reported that the HSE is investigating the incident in which the man in
his 50's sustained major injuries.
24th April 2008.
|
Wales
Workman succumbs to injuries
It is reported that the 29-year-old worker who fell through a north Wales farm
building roof on the 9th of April has succumbed to his injuries in a Liverpool
hospital
23rd April 2008.
|
England
Lift shaft death
A worker has died in an incident at the premises of A&F Carpets in Brigg,
Lincolnshire.
Emergency services attended to free the man who was positioned between the
lift's car and the shaft wall but he died at the scene before he could be
rescued. 23rd April 2008.
|
England
Hotel guest died of CO poisoning
It is reported that a post mortem has confirmed that a guest found dead on
Saturday in his room at the Great Western Hotel in Newquay died of carbon
monoxide poisoning. Paramedics had reported that they were affected by the gas,
the hotel has recently been refurbished. 22nd April 2008.
|
England
Mobile tower platform plunge
In June 2007, an employee of West Sussex company RH Phillips & Sons Ltd fell
from the top platform of an unguarded mobile tower scaffold, fracturing his
ribs.
Investigation found the persons who set up the scaffolding tower were not
suitably competent to erect or dismantle the equipment, the scaffolding itself
was unfit for use in a work activity, and that the injured worker had received
no training or instruction from his employer on its use.
The company was fined £2,500 and ordered to pay £1,600 costs having breached the
Work at Height Regulations 2005.
21st April 2008.
|
England
Bucks trench collapse death
A workman in his 20's has died in an industrial accident in Aylesbury, Bucks, it
is reported he was working on a residential property extension project when an
excavation collapsed. 19th
April 2008.
|
England
Tyre fitter dies in industrial accident
A man has died under a bus at Bolton School, Lancashire, it is reported that a
jack supporting the vehicle may have failed as he worked underneath it.
18th April 2008.
|
England
Risk assessment failure led to fatality
The importance of risk assessment is drawn to the attention of local authorities
by a workplace accident that resulted in the prosecution of City of York
Council. A worker died while grass cutting on the slopes of the riverbank at
Water End, Clifton, York, during May 2005. Investigation revealed the
slope of the bank and the suitability of the mowing machine that the worker was
using had not been risk assessed, and the mower was found to have no roll-over
protection, with the slope outside the range specified by the machine's
manufacturers.
An HSE official explained: "This was a tragic and entirely avoidable accident.
The absence of a suitable and sufficient risk assessment and clear guidance for
employees led to a ride-on mower being used on wet grass on an unsafe slope.
These errors were compounded by the fact that the machine did not have roll-over
protection and a seat belt to protect the driver in the event of it rolling
over. That is exactly what happened in this case and all of these factors
contributed to the Council worker's tragic death."
17th April 2008.
|
England
Failures led to site death and injury
MRX Engineering Support Services Ltd has been fined £100,000,
with £16,941 costs, at Liverpool Crown Court for safety failings that
permitted an industrial accident in which a man died and another was
badly injured when a lifting frame suspended by a crane fell on them.
There was no safety catch on the hook of the crane to prevent the load
from falling. The company should not have allowed loads to be moved
over people's heads and the crane operators had not been adequately
trained in its safe use.
16th April 2008.
|
England
2 die in workplace accidents
It is reported that a refuse collection worker has died after he was
struck by the collection vehicle in Peasedown St John, near Bath, the
deceased was employed by Bath and NE Somerset Council.
Another worker died last week in a fall from height accident at the
premises of Heritage Ceramics in Brighouse, Yorkshire, the man was
working on the roof but fell some 12 metres through it.
15th April 2008.
|
England
Fatal accident at Corus Teesside
A maintenance worker of Vesuvius, subcontracted to Corus Lackenby, has
died while working at the plant in Teesside, Cleveland police are
investigating the weekend accident.
14th April 2008.
|
England
Site death in Kent
It is reported that a surveyor has died in an accident on an M25 roadworks site near Dartford last Tuesday, one account states he was
working for Costain.
14th April 2008.
|
England
Man crushed by vehicle
It is reported that a man died on Tuesday when a delivery vehicle with a crane
overturned as it unloaded outside Wimbledon's All England Lawn Tennis Club.
11th April 2008.
|
England
Hospital window death
It is reported that a man has died after apparently jumping from a
window at Wigan Infirmary, he was described as a patient in his 30's.
10th April 2008.
|
England
Industrial accident in Warwickshire
| |