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The Netherlands
Rotterdam workplace transport fatality
The Dutch work safety inspectorate (Arbeidsinspectie) has launched an enquiry into a fatal accident on Thursday at a warehouse transport depot on Vondelingenplaat, Rotterdam, in which a worker was killed after being struck by a lorry.
31st August 2007.
Cyprus
Workers injured at Larnaca airport site
The Larnaca Work Inspection Department is investigating an accident at Hermes Airports Ltd's new building at Larnaca airport in which a number of workers were injured when a concrete section failed during a concrete pour, French contractor Bouygues Batiment International is also investigating the incident.
31st August 2007.
China
Fireworks factory explosion in Inner Mongolia
An explosion at a fireworks factory in Baoxing in Chifeng, north China, has left 4 workers dead and 6 injured, 2 with critical 70% burns, one management official has been arrested, 2 other board members are being sought by police.
30th August 2007.
Azerbaijan
Search for trapped workers in Baku newbuild collapse
An unspecified number of workers may have been killed in the collapse of a newbuild high-rise structure on Baku's Mammad Nakhchivani Street, at least 1 worker's body was recovered dead on Tuesday, 2 others were rescued injured. Most workers were at 14th storey level when the incident occurred, many are feared trapped.
Around 12 of the 16 storeys had been completed, local prosecutors are already preparing for criminal proceedings over alleged violations of safety rules. Earlier this month the collapse of a newbuild hotel in Baku left 2 workers dead.
29th August 2007.
Uganda
Scores dead in military transport crash
More than 70 Ugandan military personnel and their families died when a lorry/trailer crashed on a difficult mountainous road near Kapchorwa, 190 miles east of Kampala, more than 100 people are believed to have been on board when the accident, initially attributed to brake failure, occurred.
Dozens of injured are being treated in hospitals in Mbale and Tororo. 
28th August 2007.
Canada
Ontario worker critical after scaffold falls
A worker is listed in critical condition after being struck by falling scaffolding on Monday at a site on Elizabeth Street North in Port Credit, Ontario Ministry of Labour is investigating. 
28th August 2007.
Japan
Crane collapse kills 3 at Kobe shipyard
The collapse of the arm of a crane on Saturday morning at the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation yard in Kobe has left 3 workers dead and 4 others seriously injured, the arm broke while bearings were being replaced using a hydraulic jack.
26th August 2007.
Ukraine
Safety violations suspected in shooting range fatality
The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has launched an investigation into alleged safety shortcomings in the wake of a fatal accident at a military shooting range in Dnepropetrovsk last week in which a mine exploded after being struck by gunfire, 1 soldier died and 4 were injured in the accident.
24th August 2007.
Somalia
Ransom paid for Danes release?
The Danish vessel Danica White and its 5-man crew have been released by their Somali pirate captors, the ship and crew had been kidnapped on June 1st in transit from Dubai to Mombassa with a cargo of building materials, it is speculated that a £770k ransom (1.1 mio €) may have been paid to secure their release.
23rd August 2007.
Democratic Republic of Congo
Ferry sinking costs dozens of lives
Recovery work is ongoing to seek victims of a weekend ferry accident on the Ubangui River in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo where at least 39 people are feared drowned.
By Tuesday only 9 bodies had been recovered, the accident occurred as the allegedly overloaded ferry plied its crossing from Libenge to Bangui in the Central African Republic.
Passenger rosters are virtually non-existent in the Congo Basin waterways, safety is a secondary consideration to transportation exigency.
22nd August 2007.
USA
Washington construction site fatality
A Washington construction worker of Olson Bros Excavating has died in an accident at a site in Olympia after losing his balance and striking his head against an earth mover's shovel, he subsequently fell 4 metres into an excavation.
This is the second local construction site fatality in the Thurston County area in a week involving earth moving equipment.
22nd August 2007.
USA
CO poisoning leaves students critically ill
A malfunctioning water heater valve is believed to have caused the carbon monoxide poisoning incident on Sunday which afflicted 5 Virginia Tech college students residing in an off-campus apartment in Blacksburg, Virginia, 2 of the 5 female room mates were listed in critical condition.
The victims were discovered by 2 utility workers who managed to pull then out of the apartment, Blacksburg Fire Department staff recorded CO levels of 500ppm in the rooms, just 5% of such a reading would have people manifesting poisoning symptoms. 21st August 2007.

France
Double confined space fatality on farm
A 60-year old farmer and his teenage nephew have died in a confined space accident while attempting to clean an empty grain silo at Castetis, near Orthez, in the Pyrenees-Atlantiques region of southwest France, they had apparently descended almost to the base when they were overcome. 20th August 2007.

France
American Ash tree kills British tourist at cafe
An elderly British female tourist was killed on Friday by a falling American Ash tree while a customer at a pavement cafe in Brouage, 20 miles south of La Rochelle, the tree is believed to have been several hundred years old and the subject of a preservation order. 18th August 2007.

South Africa
Falling barrier kills schoolboy
A falling metal barrier killed an 8-year old pupil of Blairgowrie Primary School in Johannesburg, yesterday morning, children were playing under supervision when the accident occurred, the heavy balustrade had been removed from an adjacent area and was temporarily propped against a wall. 17th August 2007.

China
Old and new bridge safety fears
This week's bridge accident in which more than 50 workers died when a new bridge collapsed over the river Tuo at Fenghuang in southeast China has focussed attention on the standard of old and new bridges throughout China.
Older bridges are feared incapable of taking the strain of increased traffic volume, an audit of 6,300 such structures is to be completed within the next 2 years, while experts opine that the rapidity of construction schedules for new structures leaves many potentially unsafe.
123 workers were dismantling scaffolding and doing snagging work when the 268-metre long Tuo bridge collapsed. 16th August 2007.

Spain
Workplace heart attack interpretation
The Spanish Supreme Court has ruled that a heart attack suffered at work can be deemed to be a workplace accident, the ruling stems from the case of a factory worker in Zaragoza who had a heart attack at work 4 years ago although he had manifested symptoms prior to commencing his shift. 16th August 2007.

South Korea
Quintuple death on Ferris wheel ride
Five people died when a Ferris wheel carriage malfunctioned during the World Carnival's latest stage at a theme park in Busan, 2 passengers managed to cling desperately to the overturned carriage for survival, the carriage stopped and its window fell out as it overturned. The 70-metre Giant Wheel features 42 carriages, it is presently completing a 40-day programme in South Korea following on from Hong Kong. 14th August 2007.

Turkey
Ferry and freighter collide off Istanbul
The collision of a ferry and the Ukrainian freighter, Semyon Rudhnev, yesterday in the Sea of Marmara just south of Istanbul left 38 people injured, 1 man was in serious condition last night.
The ferry, owned by a municipal company, was carrying 449 passengers and was just 20 minutes into its journey from Yenikapi to Avsa island, initial speculation is attributing blame for the collision to the ferry. 14th August 2007.

USA
Worker killed in fall through temporary bridge walkway
A construction worker of Conti Construction Group has died in a 30-metre fall through a timber walkway at the Alfred E Driscoll bridge in Sayreville, New Jersey, being resurfaced for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
It is speculated that a timber member failed, the victim, who was carrying wood, was wearing a harness but was unsecured. 13th August 2007.

Spain
Oil tanker and freighter collide off Gibraltar
The Panamanian-flagged freighter New Flame has been left partially sunk 1km off Punta Europa after colliding with the Danish oil tanker Torm Gertrud shortly after leaving Gibraltar, the incident occurred at 6am on Sunday.
The tanker sustained no appreciable damage, however concern is expressed over the 750 tonnes of fuel of the scrap iron laden freighter now sitting on a sandbank, all 26-crew were safely evacuated. 13th August 2007.

Japan
Vapour explosion kills shipyard painters
Two painters have died following a vapour explosion while working on a ship under construction at the IHI Corporation shipyard in Aichi, Chita, the victims were thrown some 20 metres by the blast and died of critical burn injuries. 12th August 2007.

USA
Arkansas fireman killed in bridge fall at traffic accident
An Arkansas fireman of the Turtle Creek Volunteer Fire Department has died in a 15-metre fall from a bridge while attending a road traffic accident on Interstate 40 near Benton, northwest Arkansas, the 39-year old fireman was attempting to access the side window of a crashed vehicle pinned against the edge of the bridge to switch off the ignition but lost his balance and fell over the 1.3-metre high retaining wall down into the Saline River. 12th August 2007.

Algeria
Swimmers drown in giant wave
The Algerian civil protection authority has indicated that 12 swimmers died in an incident on Mostaganem beach in western Algeria being attributed to a mini-tsunami giant wave, some onshore residential damage was also experienced. 10th August 2007.

Norway
Breaking glacier ice hits Arctic cruise ship
The cracking and breaking off of segments of glacier ice has left 18 tourists injured after the luxury cruise boat Alexei Maryshev was struck in Hornsund Fjord at Svalbard Island, some of the injured were hospitalised in Longyearbyen on Svalbard and in Tromso, 2 are in serious condition. 10th August 2007.

Sweden
Gravedigger killed in grave
A gravedigger was killed by soil ingress yesterday during excavation of a lair at Gudmuntrop cemetery in southwest Sweden, a couple of tonnes of excavated soil had been deposited in a receptacle by the graveside but it became unstable, another gravedigger who was also in the excavation managed to scramble clear. 8th August 2007.

South Africa
Piper aircraft hits house during test flight
Two pilots were badly injured yesterday when their Piper light aircraft on a test flight between Lanseria and Grand Central airports crashed into a house in the Birdhaven district of Johannesburg, the Civil Aviation Authority has launched an investigation.  8th August 2007.

Uganda
Marburg fears lead to gold miner camp's isolation
An isolation zone has been established at a gold mining camp in Kamwenge, western Uganda, it affects around 50 miners who may have been in contact with a colleague who has recently died from suspected Marburg fever, laboratory tests have confirmed the situation, the victim (29) was a miner and it is thought he may have contracted the disease after trapping and skinning a monkey. A 21-year old miner who participated in handling the monkey has made a reasonable recovery. An isolation zone has also been established at a clinic in Kamwenge.
The most recent outbreak of Marburg fever claimed 250 Angolan lives 2 years ago. 8th August 2007.

Spain
Workplace transport fatality
A warehouse worker in his 40's died after being struck by a lorry in the loading bay of the PTA Technological Park in Charles Darwin Street, Malaga. 8th August 2007.

France
Worker killed in trench collapse
A construction worker has died after being buried alive in an unstable excavation during work in Navenne in the Savoy region, the victim was buried in the 2-metre-deep trench, in a desperate attempt to save him colleagues deployed a mechanical digger but he was already dead when recovered 15 minutes later. 7th August 2007.

China
Construction workers trapped in flooded railway tunnel
Rescuers in Hubei province in central China are confident of reaching the 12 workers trapped after earthworks collapsed early on Sunday at the Yesanguan railway tunnel in Enshi prefecture, 40 of the 52 workers trapped initially have been rescued.
The workers were at a location 240 metres down a gradient when rain water ingress, estimated at a volume of 50m³ per hour, caused the earthworks to collapse in the 10-mile-long tunnel, a new project on the 250-mile Yiwan railway. 6th August 2007.

Germany
Rider killed in showjumping fall
A 32-year old female showjumping champion died at the weekend as a result of a heavy fall off her horse, Paulchen Panther, at the German Championships in Schenefeld, she was thrown at the 2nd jump and could not be revived after her fall. 6th August 2007.

Uganda
Oil survey worker killed by gunmen
A worker was killed during an attack by gunmen on Friday on an oil exploration vessel conducting survey work on Lake Albert in western Uganda for Heritage Oil of Canada, the company has been active with seismic surveys in the area over the last decade. 4th August 2007.

Democratic Republic Congo
Hundreds of illegal passengers killed in goods train crash
At least 100 people have died following the derailment of a goods train near Benaleka, 140 miles northwest of Kananga, Congo, a further 200 have been injured.
SNCC (Societe Nationale de Chemins de Fer du Congo) cannot rule out further fatalities, lifting operations of overturned wagons is expected to reveal more bodies of passengers travelling illegally on the goods train, a common practice in Congo. The train was travelling between Ilebo and Kananga, this is the 2nd major rail accident in West Kasai in the last 3 weeks. 3rd August 2007.

Japan
Dementia sufferer kills fellow patient
A 61-year old male dementia sufferer has killed another dementia patient, an 86-year old woman, at a hospital in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, the victim was sleeping when she was stabbed in the head by a sharp instrument, police have indicated that the accused has confessed to the allegations. 3rd August 2007.

Italy
Worker killed at Puglia iron works
A worker has died in an accident at the Tubificio 2 section of the Ilva iron and steel works in Taranto, Puglia, it is believed that he was struck on the head by a tube and later became trapped between 2 tubes on a belt drive. 2nd August 2007.

Switzerland
Worker in 10m fall dismantling power lines
A 22-year old worker has sustained serious injuries in a 10-metre fall during the dismantling of old power lines at Peccia, in the Lavizzara valley of Tessin, the victim was on one of the masts when it suddenly fractured. 2nd August 2007.

UAE
5 workmen killed in accident
A road traffic accident on Sunday in Sharjah claimed 5 lives and injured 15 more, some critically.
The men, engaged for contract work by Shaharco Contracting, were being transported in a minibus when it collided with an oncoming overtaking trailer. 1st August 2007.

 

 
USA
Child killed in accident at Georgia nursery
A 2-year old child died yesterday after being struck by falling electrical equipment at a nursery in Douglas, south Georgia, the equipment was located on a stand at the Pine Street Church of God Daycare centre. 31st August 2007.

Italy
Tourist plane crash kills 3 in Sardinia
The crash of a 4-seater Rockwell Commander light tourist aircraft in Sardinia on Thursday afternoon has left 3 people dead, the flight had departed from Foligno for the Costa Rei airfield in Castiadas, south Sardinia, but crashed in a field prior to preparing to land. 31st August 2007.

Malta
Worker injured in shaft fall
A 32-year old North African construction worker is in critical condition after falling into a shaft at a site on Dun Frans Camilleri Street in the Tar-Rabbat district of Hamrun, earlier this year 2 workers died when a ceiling caved in at the site.  30th August 2007.

Botswana
Students' bus hits collided lorries
The collision of a minibus and 2 lorries between Makoba and Mashoro left 11 students dead, the bus carrying 27 students from Gaberone to Maun struck the debris of the 2 lorries and trailers which had already collided. 29th August 2007.

Iceland
Scale of illegal subcontract recruitment probed
Concern is being expressed that some foreign workers in sub-contract employment may not meet Icelandic legal registration requirements. A bus accident in the eastern highland area has revealed that 20 of 29 workers involved failed to meet mandatory employment requirements, the crew are working on the Karahnjukar Dam project for Arnarfell and have been recruited by subcontractors. 29th August 2007.

USA
Fatal crush accident at Indiana automative plant
A 47-year old female operative of Indiana Automative Fasteners was fatally crushed on Monday at the plant in Greenfield, Indiana, the victim is believed to have been reaching into a bolt-plating machine to retrieve an object when another piece of machinery descended on top of her. 28th August 2007.

UAE
Fire and explosion at chemical storage depot
Fire triggered a major explosion yesterday at the DP World's Jebel Ali chemical storage depot in Dubai, both marine stations and the main cargo area were evacuated, no injuries were reported at one of the Middle East's largest container ports. 28th August 2007.

France
Tourist plane crash kills 2 in Brittany
The pilot of a twin-engine light tourist aircraft and his passenger died shortly after take-off on Saturday from Vannes airport, Brittany, engine failure occurred and the plane crashed just beyond the end of the runway. 26th August 2007.

Serbia
Rail collision in north Serbia
The collision of a goods train and a locomotive near Novi Sad in Vojvodina on Friday evening has left 2 people dead and a further 5 injured, further details of the accident have yet to emerge. 25th August 2007.

Tajikistan
Farmer killed by bear
A Tajikistani farmer has been killed in a relatively rare attack by a brown bear on land 100 miles from the capital, Duschanbe, the farmer was attempting to protect his herds of cattle and sheep. 24th August 2007.

USA
Scaffold collapse at Pennsylvanian grain silo
The collapse of a scaffold against a grain silo on a farm south of Carrolltown, 60 miles east of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, left 5 Amish farm workers injured on Thursday morning, 2 have been hospitalised in serious condition. 24th August 2007.

Austria
Chlorine gas incident at hotel pool
A release of chlorine gas at a hotel swimming pool in Werfenweng, 30 miles south of Salzburg, saw 2 adults and 5 children admitted to hospital in Salzburg yesterday morning. 23rd August 2007.

Malta
Unstable marble slabs pin van driver
An Egyptian van driver was seriously injured yesterday when heavy marble sections became unstable in his van and fell on to him, he was rescued from the vehicle and is being treated in St Luke's Hospital, Malta. 23rd August 2007.

USA
Site worker killed at Honolulu Airport
An employee of Jas W Glover has been killed after being struck by a mechanical paver during maintenance work on a taxiway at Honolulu Airport, a Department of Transportation investigation is proceeding. 22nd August 2007.

Dubai
Window cleaners killed in electrocution accident
The Dubai Civil Defence has reported the deaths of 2 window cleaners while working in a maintenance platform at the Palm Jumeirah 12-storey building in Dubai, 1 of the victims was electrocuted, the other died in a fall or jump from the platform. A statement from the Palm Jumeirah indicated that a fire had occurred on the platform. 22nd August 2007.

Nepal
Driver absconds after mountain bus crash
At least 22 people died when an allegedly overloaded bus came off a narrow mountain road 125 miles west of Kathmandu and fell down into a 250-metre deep ravine, police are searching for the driver who survived the accident and absconded the scene. 21st August 2007.

Japan
Fuel leak suspected in Okinawa plane fire
A possible leakage of fuel is speculated as the cause of Monday's accident when a China Airlines Boeing 737-800 caught fire shortly after landing at Naha Airport on Okinawa island, all 157 passengers evacuated safely via emergency chutes, 1 of the 8 crew required some medical attention. 21st August 2007.

Serbia
Body found in bear enclosure at Belgrade Zoo
Serbian rescue service Nada Macura recovered the body of a man from the bear enclosure at Belgrade Zoo on Sunday, the enclosure is uncovered and it is speculated that the victim may have fallen from a restaurant overlooking the zoo in the Kalemegdan park area of the city. Zoo workers alerted Nada Macura when they discovered the victim during a routine patrol, the park has been very busy hosting a musical festival last week. 20th August 2007.

Italy
Unauthorised development collapse leaves 1 dead, 8 injured
The proprietor of a dwellinghouse in Conca dei Marini, near Salerno, in southern Italy faces possible charges of culpable homicide today following the weekend collapse of a terrace development erected without planning permission, the collapse on ground atop a cliff overlooking the Gulf of Salerno left 1 dead and 8 injured. 20th August 2007.

Uruguay
Workers strike over sodium sulphide handling
Workers at the Botnia plant in Uruguay's Rio Negro department are to continue their strike over the weekend until at least Monday following concerns over the conditions in which sodium sulphide is handled there, 15 workers sustained varying degrees of poisoning in an incident on Tuesday.
The company has agreed to unload the product only at night and in conditions without wind, all personnel would be withdrawn from the immediate area if handling had to take place during day shift work. Ministry of Labour officials oversaw handling last night, workers want such ongoing supervision for company compliance. 18th August 2007.

Bulgaria
Excavation collapses on worker
A 54-year old construction worker was killed in an unstable excavation on Thursday morning during the laying of sewage pipes on a site of Yazaki Company in Yambol, southeast Bulgaria, the victim was buried under substantial soil ingress. 17th August 2007.

USA
Investigation into Ohio worker's compactor death
Investigators are studying the circumstances in which a 37-year old warehouse worker was killed in midweek in a large industrial waste compactor at the premises of Sears Logistics Services, Columbus, Ohio, police have ruled out suspicious circumstances but it remains unclear how the victim entered the compactor for reducing cardboard. 17th August 2007.

USA
Machinist killed at N Carolina works
A 62-year old machinist died on Wednesday morning following blunt force trauma chest injuries while working at a lathe on the premises of R P Machine in Statesville, North Carolina, a metal rod detached from the lathe and struck him, the company manufactures wind turbine machinery. 16th August 2007.

French Polynesia
Lack of black box hampers investigation
The lack of a black box will hamper the work of the trio of investigators studying the circumstances of the crash of a Twin Otter aircraft of Air Moorea, a subsidiary of Air Tahiti, which claimed the lives of the pilot and all 19 passengers after it came down into the sea shortly after take-off from Teame airport on Moorea.
The flight was carrying Australian and French tourists on a 7-minute trip to Tahiti, some bodies have yet to be recovered, the aircraft, which does not feature a black box, could be lying at a depth of anywhere between 300 and 1,000 metres. 14th August 2007.

USA
Michigan mechanic killed by failing jack
A mechanic, believed to the proprietor of J & F Enterprises, was found dead yesterday at the vehicle service premises in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he had sustained fatal head injuries after a car jack had apparently failed while he was under a vehicle. 13th August 2007.

Sri Lanka
Double confined space fatality at well
Two workers have died in a confined space accident while attempting to clean a well on commercial premises in Welimada, Badulla, the first victim had entered the well at the shop and was quickly overcome with poisonous fumes, the other victim died attempting a rescue, recovering the bodies yesterday proved hazardous given the build-up of fumes. 12th August 2007.

USA
Teenager killed in forklift overturn
Investigation has begun into a fatal crush accident at Target Flexo in Salt Lake City where a forklift truck overturned and pinned a 16-year old youth worker who was operating it to move rolled aluminium sheeting. 12th August 2007.

USA
Steel section kills worker at Arkansas utility
A 48-year old subcontractor has been killed after being struck on the head by a falling 0.25 tonne steel section which fell from equipment at the City Corporation Water Treatment Plant near Russellville, 60 miles northwest of Little Rock, Arkansas. 10th August 2007.

Zimbabwe
Trains collide in Harare, 1 dead
Human error by a railway traffic controller has been speculated as the cause of the collision on Thursday morning of a passenger train from Marimba and a goods train in Harare, 1 person died and 55 were injured, the network's signalling has been chronically undermined by the thieving of copper from signals. 10th August 2007.

USA
Falling tree kills Massachusetts arborist
A 22-year old Massachusetts arborist of Buzzell Tree Service has died during the felling of trees at a property on 15th Street, Kingston, 25 miles southeast of Boston, when he was struck by a falling 30-metre tall tree.
 9th August 2007.

France
Polish bus crashes near Belgian border
Three Polish bus passengers were killed and 11 were seriously injured yesterday when their coach crashed while negotiating a slip road off the A12 motorway east of Dunkirk, the accident occurred in very wet conditions, 47 people were on board the 1-year old vehicle. 9th August 2007.

Turkey
Nut harvesters killed in minibus/lorry collision in Sivas
The collision of a lorry and a minibus transporting harvesters in Sivas, Turkey, has left 24 people dead, the bus was heading for the hazelnut plantations on the Black Sea coast, Turkish police allege that the bus was speeding and that the accident occurred as it attempted to overtake the fruit-laden lorry. 8th August 2007.

Japan
Firework blows off pyrotechnician's arm
A 53-year old Japanese pyrotechnician has lost the lower section of an arm during a fireworks accident while working on a boat off the port of Kamiyaku, in the north of Yakushima Island (Yaku Island), the accident occurred during the lighting of the display, a 37-year old colleague sustained lesser injuries. 7th August 2007.

Spain
Belgian speleologist breaks toes 600 metres underground
A Belgian speleologist has been trapped in a cave 600 metres under ground at Pierre-Saint-Martin in the western Pyrenees close to the French border after breaking a number of toes in an accident which occurred on Sunday. 7th August 2007.

Brazil
Ferry sinks, 12 feared drowned
At least 7 people died when a ferry travelling from Carrapato to Cururupu in Maranhaeo in northeast Brazil sank in Guajerutiua Bay, 23 people were believed to have been on board and 5 are still missing, the cause of the accident remains unknown. 6th August 2007.

Malta
Pilots survive military plane crash
A Bulldog aircraft of the Maltese Air Force crashed on Sunday evening during coastal patrol, it came down in Dwejra, Gozo, all 3 crew are believed to have survived the incident unhurt. 6th August 2007.

Italy
Research and cargo ships collide off Sicily
Investigation is ongoing into why radar failed when a marine research vessel, Thetis, collided with the Panamanian cargo ship, Heleni, in calm but foggy conditions on Friday morning some 4 miles off Mazzaro del Vallo, Sicily, conflicting reports appeared over the researchers' welfare, it is now believed that all 14 have been safely rescued. The Heleni was sailing from Israel to Spain. 4th August 2007.

Philippines
Wall collapse kills site worker in Paranaque
The collapse of a perimeter wall yesterday at the Wilson Depot on Sucat Road in Paranaque City killed 1 construction worker and injured 10 others, the cause of the incident is under investigation. 3rd August 2007.

Cyprus
Fishing boat engineer dies of heatstroke
Cypriot officials have indicated that the death of the 38-year old engineer of the Spanish fishing boat, Jose y Rafaela, was caused by heatstroke, the ship's 53-year old cook is presently in intensive care in hospital in Larnaca after being transferred by helicopter with a very high temperature and fever.
Cypriot authorities in Limassol had initially quarantined the shrimper which had sailed from Santa Pola, Alicante, 10 days ago, suspecting an infectious disease, however the autopsy result on Wednesday indicated heatstroke, the remaining 11 crew, comprising 9 Spaniards and 2 Indonesians, have been advised of the risks while working in the current local heatwave. 2nd August 2007.

USA
Two die in scaffolding plunge
It is reported that 2 workmen died on Sunday when they fell 15m to the ground after a scaffolding structure collapsed on a site in Round Rock, 10 miles north of Austin, Texas, another man sustained major injury when he was struck by material as they worked at the Seton Medical Cente 1st August 2007.

 
Gabon
Seaman stored dead with fish catch
A Senegalese seaman's body was stored for over a week in the refrigeration hold with a catch of 10 tonnes of fish after he died from an unknown illness while at sea, the discovery of the 23-year old's corpse  was made by Gabonese officials during unloading of the catch in Gabon this week. 31st August 2007.

Germany
Smoking banned in trains and stations
Tomorrow (1st September) marks the introduction of a smoking ban in German trains and railway stations.  31st August 2007.

USA
Worker trapped in Nevada mine
A search has been ongoing for a Nevada miner missing at the Getchell Mine, 180 miles northeast of Reno, the miner was operating a roof bolter when subsidence occurred and he became trapped under his equipment, the mine is operated under contract by Small Mine Development of Idaho. 30th August 2007.

Canada
Fatal accident at New Brunswick highway work zone
A New Brunswick roads department work crew was struck by a vehicle while erecting sings and barriers demarcating a work zone on Tuesday on the eastbound lanes near Magnetic Hill on the Trans-Canada Highway north of Moncton, 1 worker has died and 2 have been hospitalised. 29th August 2007.

Dem Rep Congo
Antonov-32 cargo plane crashes in Katanga
The crash of an Antonov-32 cargo aircraft of the GLBC company near Kongolo in the Democratic Republic of Congo has killed 1 Russian and 2 Ukrainian crew members, initial reports speculated 13 fatalities.
The plane was less than 15 minutes into its flight from Kongolo to Goma with a tin ore cargo when one engine failed, prompting the pilot to return to Kongolo. However, the flight lost altitude and the allegedly overloaded plane clipped tree canopy in prevailing conditions of poor visibility and wind and crashed near Kongolo. 28th August 2007.

Bulgaria
Coca cola warehouse fire
Investigators are probing a fire yesterday in the administration unit at the Coca Cola warehouse in Srebarna Street in Sofia, no injuries were reported from the incident. 28th August 2007.

Iceland
Major search for tourists missing on Vatnajokull ice cap
A major search and rescue operation is underway this weekend in Iceland's Skaftafell national park for 2 European tourists whose empty tents were found on Friday at a height of 1,000 metres. The 24- and 29-year old tourists were exploring the Vatnajokull glacier.
Conditions locally are difficult and hopes of finding them alive have begun to fade, however police report that more than 100 of Iceland's most experienced climbers are joining the search in south Iceland between Kirkjubaejarklaustur and Hofn.. 25th August 2007.

France
Unstable garden statue kills girl at play
A falling statue in a dwellinghouse garden in Innenheim in eastern France has killed a 4-year old girl, the child was playing with others behind the 70-Kg stone statue when it fell, she died later in Strasbourg-Hautepierre hospital. 24th August 2007.

Australia
Attempts to refloat beached Indonesian training ship
Attempts are to be made today (Friday) to refloat the beached Indonesian sail training ship, KRI Arung Samudera, which ran aground in bad weather on Queensland's Rainbow Beach, near Gympie.
All 18 crew managed to wade ashore from the ship which was on its way to Sydney for a tall ships display. Despite running 2 engines and dropping both anchors the beaching could not be prevented, the rudder and centreboard broke in the incident. 24th August 2007.

USA
Worker killed on West Virginia site
A construction worker of Brayman Construction Corporation was killed in an accident on Wednesday in which a large steel formwork section used in concrete pouring fell on him, the accident occurred under a bridge on Interstate highway 64 in Dunbar, northwest of Charleston, West Virginia. 23rd August 2007.

Canada
Female worker in fatal crush accident
A 45-year old female employee of Prince Metal Products Ltd has died from injuries sustained after being pinned by a 2-tonne steel coil at the company premises in Windsor, Ontario.  22nd August 2007.

Thailand
Ferry missing off Phi Phi
Thai police report that a local ferry overturned on Tuesday near the tourist town of Phi Phi in south Thailand with dozens of people on board. 22nd August 2007.

Germany
Extras fall from lorry during Berlin war film shoot
A workplace accident investigation has been launched into the incident in which 11 film extras were injured after falling from a lorry during filming of the Tom Cruise film, Valkyrie, it appears that bolts securing side panels on the vehicle failed as it was cornering near the finance ministry in central Berlin, the site of the former Luftwaffe HQ during the Third Reich. 21st August 2007.

South Africa
Drilling sparks explosion on Bloemfontein site
A construction worker was injured when an explosion occurred on Monday at a site in Bloemfontein during rock drilling, initial speculation suggests sparks ignited adjacent explosives. 21st August 2007.

Slovakia
Novice parachutist survives 1,200m fall
A Novice parachutist undertaking his first jump survived a fall of 1,200 metres when his parachute failed to open and he failed to use the reserve parachute. The 33-year old from Bolkovce descended in pronounced spiral movement which helped slow his descent.
He is being treated in hospital in Banska Bystrica for a broken pelvis and other fractures but his life is not in danger. 20th August 2007.

Spain
Workplace deaths down, accidents no change
A total of 580 workplace deaths have been recorded in Spain during the first half of the year, 13.3% down on the commensurate period in 2006, but the 888,837 workplace accidents are only 1% down on last year's figure.
The highest number of fatalities occurred in the service sector (183), followed by construction (138) and factory/industrial (74). Farming recorded 24 deaths. 20th August 2007.

Japan
Fisherman's contentious death ruled workplace accident
The Labour Standards Inspection Office in Kushiro, Hokkaido, has ruled that the contentious death of a fisherman killed by gunfire from a Russian patrol boat last August is considered a workplace fatality, the 35-year old died on waters near Kaigaro Island, one of a group of islands disputed by both countries. 18th August 2007.

USA
Texas site fatality
A Texas construction worker was killed on Friday by a falling steel section at a high-rise construction project site at South Padre Island, in the southeast corner of Texas, the victim was passing in the vicinity on foot when a steel panel fell on him. 18th August 2007.

Ireland
Aviation crash investigation finds no technical defects
The Air Accident Investigation Unit has found no evidence of pre-impact damage of the Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft which crashed in poor visibility at Inverin Airport, Galway, last month, an accident which claimed the lives of 2 of the 9 people on board. 17th August 2007.

Sweden
Electrical engineer survives 20kv blast
A 56-year old maintenance engineer of ABB (formerly Asea Brown Boveri) survived contact with a 20kv power source while working on a defective transformer at the Fortum plant in Hogboda, 20 miles northwest of Karlstad, on Thursday, he is understood to be recovering from non-life threatening burns' injuries. 17th August 2007.

USA
Worker's leg severed on Florida site
A pressurised pipe is believed to have led to a Florida worker's leg being severed in an accident on Wednesday morning at the site of the new shopping mall in Winter Garden, west of Orlando, the 31-year old construction worker of Dewitt Excavating was working below ground level at the site, the accident occurred as he was in close proximity to the pipe. 16th August 2007.

India
Bus contacts low hanging power line
Ten people died from electrocution when a passenger bus contacted a low hanging power line as it travelled through Chandpur village in Uttar Pradesh. 14th August 2007.

Austria
Gearbox failure strands chairlift passengers
The speculated failure of a gearbox left several dozen passengers stranded on Sunday on the Bruggekopfbahn chairlift at Alberschwende in the Bregenzer woods, western Austria.
An attempt to deploy an emergency system bringing the chairs downwards also failed with only 2 dozen rescued, fire crews and a helicopter completed the job, no injuries were reported. 13th August 2007.

Switzerland
Rail passenger's arm severed after fall
A 46-year old female rail passenger's arm was severed after she fell between a train and the platform while alighting from a train at Uzwil station, St Gallen, there have been allegations that the victim was heavily under the influence of alcohol. 12th August 2007.

Tanzania
Missing freighter presumed sunk
Tanzanian Transport Minister Adam Mwakanjukji announced on Thursday that  hope has been abandoned of finding the missing freighter Reef Azania and its 14-man crew.
The freighter left Dubai on June 20th for Zanzibar but contact was lost in late June, it is presumed sunk in a storm in the Indian Ocean. 10th August 2007.

France
Italian ferry towed into Corsica after fire breaks out
A Sardinia Ferries ship with 229 passengers has been towed into Corsica after fire broke out on board, the ship was encountering heavy seas. 10th August 2007.

Canada
Farmer electrocuted in Saskatchewan
A farmer was electrocuted on property 12 miles east of Pleasantdale, east Saskatchewan, when contact was made with high power overhead lines during the unloading of a steel grain bin. 9th August 2007.

Czech Republic
Fire outbreak at Temelin
A fire occurred in a fan heater area at the Temelin nuclear reactor site which saw building materials ignite, the fire was quickly controlled, the 1km distant reactor was not affected by the incident. 9th August 2007.

Switzerland
Unsecured falling steel kills worker
A 23-year old Portuguese construction worker was killed by falling steel sections on Tuesday afternoon at a site in Kilchberg near Zurich, the 2 steel sections had been strapped together for raising by crane but became unstable and fell, killing the victim who was nearby. 8th August 2007.

Hawaii
Electrical contractor killed by van
A 56-year old electrical worker of Paul's Electrical Services has died after being struck by a van while installing lighting on Fort Weaver Road in Ewa Beach, Oahu, a colleague was also injured in the incident, the driver is alleged to have fallen asleep at the wheel. 8th August 2007.

Italy
Police find bodies of trio missing on Mont Blanc
Italian police reported on Tuesday the discovery of the bodies of three  German mountaineers who had been missing since Saturday after attempting a difficult ascent of Mont Blanc, the victims, a 51-year old male, a 43-year old male and a 34-year old woman, had fallen 600 metres. 8th August 2007.

Bulgaria
Gas pipeline explodes near Greek border
A technical malfunction yesterday morning caused an explosion of a principal gas pipeline feeding Greece from Bulgaria, the incident occurred close to the village of Dolno Balgarchevo, 50 miles from the Greek border, authorities in Blagoevgrad report no injuries. 7th August 2007.

USA
Subcontractor killed on Denver airport runway
A subcontract worker engaged on tyre rubber removal on runway 1-6-left (3-4 right) at Denver International Airport was killed yesterday morning after being struck by a debris sweeper operated by the airport, the victim was struck by the large vehicle which features an 8-metre wide sweeping broom. 7th August 2007.

France
Double fatality on fair ride
A father (48) and son (21) died at the weekend when a fairground ride at St Germaine-en-Laye, 25 miles west of Paris, malfunctioned and fell to the ground, 2 others who were left suspended at a height of 36 metres were injured, but left hospital on Sunday.
The Booster ride, manufactured by the Italian Fabbri Group, is just 3 years old, and involved two 4-seater gondolas at either end of an arm which travels in see-saw fashion. Fabbri has instigated an inspection of all 30 Booster rides, 8 currently operate in France. 6th August 2007.

Canada
House builder fined over crane driver's electrocution
Cape Cod Home & Design has been fined $30K(£14,634) after pleading guilty to breaches of health and safety legislation in respect of a fatal electrical accident at a building site in St Andrews, north of Winnipeg. In May 2005, a crane operator was electrocuted when the boom of his crane contacted overhead power lines, it was claimed in court that the builder had failed to deliver prior mandatory notification of work to Manitoba Hydro. 4th August 2007.

Spain
Transformer fire at Cofrentes reactor
The Cofrentes reactor near Valencia has been shut down after a transformer fire occurred on Thursday, Iberdrola reports that the fire was controlled within 1 hour but it is not yet known when the 1,092-megawatt reactor will resume production. 3rd August 2007.

Germany
Workers uncover 1,000Kg Russian WW2 bomb
Berlin authorities described as something of a rarity the unearthing of a 1,000Kg Russian WW2 bomb by construction workers on a site in the Lichterfelde district of Berlin, the ordnance was discovered at a depth of 4 metres and was later transferred to the Grunewald area of the city for disposal. 2nd August 2007.

USA
Fall kills construction worker
A construction worker has died in an industrial accident at the under-construction Chippewa Valley Ethanol facility in Benson, 25 miles southeast of Morris, Minnesota.
It is reported that the deceased, employed by Missouri-based USA Tank Sales, fell around 20m within a tank being fabricated.  1st August 2007.

 
Wales
Fatal fall on Welsh site
It is reported that a man in his 30's, said to be employed by a contractor, has died after falling into a cooling chamber at Connah's Quay power station in North Wales.
The accident occurred yesterday afternoon, the accident victim died before reaching hospital. 31st August 2007.

England
Reversing HGV's can be deadly if done without care
Haulage company W. E. & I. Wright Limited of Tow-Law, Co Durham, has been fined £4,000 with £2,500 in costs for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of an industrial accident in which an employee was seriously injured after being trapped and crushed between two heavy goods vehicles as one reversed past the other.
HSE investigation revealed that the company had been alerted to the risks months before the accident, when it commissioned the Road Haulage Association to carry out risk assessments at its premises, but the precautions identified by the risk assessments were not implemented, meaning that the company had almost no physical or organisational measures in place to control workplace transport risks.
An inspector explained: "Reversing alone caused about a quarter of the fatal accidents, an employer's first consideration should always be to try and eliminate reversing at their premises. But where reversing cannot be avoided, there is clear guidance that spells out how to plan for safety, which should involve taking sensible, cost-effective measures to ensure a safe site, safe vehicles and safe drivers." 30th August 2007.

Scotland
Company fined over loss of 9 lives
ICL Plastics Ltd and ICL Tech Ltd of Glasgow have each been fined £200,000 for failures that led to the death of 9 persons and injury to 40 other persons in an LPG explosion at its Maryhill factory during May 2004.
Investigation revealed the explosion resulted from the ignition of an accumulation of LPG vapours released into an unventilated room from a corroded pipe.
HSE Director Scotland commented: “It is important for all those affected by the explosion that lessons are learned and I would like to remind all users and suppliers of LPG of the risk from buried pipes carrying LPG, particularly when located near areas where gas can accumulate.  Everyone should ensure that problems which are out of sight are not out of mind. The dangers posed by buried pipes can be overcome by a systematic approach to risk management and the findings of the investigation reinforce the need for effective arrangements for the maintenance, renewal or repositioning of buried pipes. HSE strongly advises that buried metallic pipes are effectively corrosion protected and maintained, or replaced either with over ground pipes or buried plastic pipes constructed and installed to the appropriate standards.” 29th August 2007.

England
Death at Lancs tractor event
It is reported that a man sustained fatal crush injuries on Sunday at the Great Eccleston showground.
The incident involved a large trailer, the deceased was a participant in the competitive tractor pulling event. 28th August 2007.

England
Shooting accident in Co Durham
A man has died of shotgun wounds on a farm near Stanhope.
The incident occurred on Friday, a man with the deceased at the time raised the alarm, both the HSE and police are reported to be investigating 26th August 2007.

England
Investigation into workplace death
HSE and police continue to investigate the death last week in an accident of a 22-year-old man killed while working on a wall in Portishead, Somerset.
It is reported that a vehicle rolled backwards inflicting crush injuries to which he later succumbed in hospital. 24th August 2007.

England
Rail worker loses lower legs
An industrial accident yesterday on sidings near Harlow, Essex, has removed a rail worker's legs. The EWS employee was undertaking marshalling work when he reportedly slipped beneath a train. 23rd August 2007.

England
Steel maker guilty of poor performance of maintenance
Investigation into an accident in which an employee received life-threatening burns at Corus UK Ltd's Appleby coke oven gasholder complex led to prosecution and fine for the company. The employee fell into a pit of hot chemicals whilst carrying out a pumping operation at the company's site in Scunthorpe.
Corus was fined £125,000, with costs of £17,763, at Grimsby Crown Court, an HSE Inspector spoke after the conviction: "This was a very serious incident which resulted in an employee receiving extensive, life-threatening burns. The immediate cause was the company's poor workplace maintenance regime which meant that corrosion went unattended in the fencing provided to prevent falls into the interceptor pit. Employers have a duty to ensure that their workplace is safely maintained and this case all too clearly demonstrates the potential consequences of failure to discharge that duty.
In broader terms, however, the company had not carried out a risk assessment - a careful examination of what could cause harm to its employees. This is an all-important step when it comes both to protecting workers and to complying with the law. Accidents can ruin lives and workers have a right to be protected from harm. Employers are not expected to eliminate risk entirely, but they are required to take reasonable control measures to protect their staff."  22nd August 2007.

England
Systems needed to ensure effective machinery guarding
The occasion of the prosecution of a company for failing to have systems in place to check safety mechanisms has been chosen by HSE to warn others with responsibility for machinery.
Dairy Crest Ltd was fined £5,000 with costs of £3,599 after pleading guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, this after an employee sustained a broken arm at its Dagenham premises during October 2005 when a milk bottle filling machine started unexpectedly whilst his arm was inside an open hatch, the machine catching his sleeve and pulling his arm further in.
An HSE inspector explained: "This incident shows that companies must ensure all work equipment is safe for use and have an adequate health and safety system in place. Safety equipment, such as the interlocking device, is there to protect the operator. It's vital that machinery is kept in full working order otherwise accidents like this could continue to happen. It was Dairy Crest Ltd's responsibility to ensure these items were kept in full working order." 20th August 2007.

Scotland
Commercial fisherman dead
The body of a prawn fisherman has been recovered from the sea one mile off the Angus coast. The Arbroath fisherman was found off Whiting Ness, his empty craft was discovered by another fishing boat. A search for another solo fisherman who has been missing for several days on the East coast continues. 18th August 2007.

England
Fatal industrial accident in London
It is reported that the body of a workman was found in a lift shaft on Wednesday at St Catherine’s House, in London WC2.
It is believed the construction worker fell from height. 17th August 2007.

England
Demolition death in Shropshire
A workman died on Tuesday as he worked to demolish a timber building at Moor Park School near Ludlow.
It appears that part of the building fell and trapped him, he was found to be dead when retrieved by emergency services. 17th August 2007.

Scotland
Man perishes in Glasgow fire
An outbreak of fire in the early hours of Thursday at the Clyde Place homeless persons' assessment centre in Glasgow has claimed the life of a resident.
Firefighters rescued him from the 4th floor but he could not be revived. 17th August 2007.

England
Vehicle crane operator killed
A man died on Tuesday after his vehicle's lifting equipment came into contact with overhead power cables at the West Horton Lane Industrial Estate in Eastleigh, Hants, as he delivered materials there. 16th August 2007.

England
Workman electrocuted
It is reported that a civilian electrician was electrocuted last Thursday as he worked on board HMS Ark Royal berthed in Portsmouth.
One account stated that the deceased was working with catering equipment at the time. 14th August 2007.

England
Girl struck by falling lighting standard
A 13-year-old girl suffered a fractured skull when she was hit on the head by a hinged lighting standard as she stood on a footpath in Morecambe. Several hundred articulating standards, designed to be lowered in this fashion for maintenance, are now being checked by Lancashire County Council to ensure they are not in a dangerous condition. 12th August 2007.
England
Worker badly injured in scaffolding accident
A construction worker remains in hospital being treated for injuries sustained when the scaffolding structure he was standing upon broke free from the residential building to which it was secured in Dalton-in-Furness, Lancs,
The structure fell across the road, the injured man's son was also on the platform, he escaped injury by holding on to the roof members. 10th August 2007.

England
Fall from height death in Hants
It is reported that a workman has fallen 6m to his death from a scaffolding structure erected at Worthing High School.
The deceased man was employed by EDF Energy, the accident occurred last Thursday. 9th August 2007.

England
Agricultural worker electrocuted
A farm worker operating a harvester in a field in Wiltshire died when the equipment came into contact with overhead power cables on Monday. The accident occurred in Chute, northeast of Ludgershall. 9th August 2007.

England
MEWP accident man critical
It is reported that a man ejected from the platform of a mobile elevating work platform as he worked in a York street remains in a critical condition.
Both platform occupants were thrown to the ground in last Thursday's accident, sustaining major injuries, there has been speculation that the platform's support was struck by a passing vehicle as they repaired the fabric of a residential property. 8th August 2007.

Wales
Forklift truck broke man's legs
Pann Krisp Ltd of Wrexham Industrial Park has admitted breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of an accident in which an employee was run over by a forklift truck resulting in both his legs being broken, leaving him unable to walk for almost 2 years.
In the same month, July 2005, another forklift accident occurred in which an employee sustained injury when the truck he was operating fell down a gap between a refrigerated trailer and a loading platform, once more placing it in breach of the Act.

Court
Wrexham magistrates fined the company a total of £25,000 with £8,696 costs, an HSE inspector explained: "Both incidents demonstrated the clear need for employers who have vehicles in the workplace to have clear risk assessments and clear procedures in place for their operation. Incidents with forklift trucks are far too common, and they invariably result in serious injury. Where possible, pedestrians should be segregated from vehicles to minimise the risk of the two coming into contact, and drivers need to be trained - and if necessary regularly re-trained - on safe operation within workplaces." 7th August 2007.


England
Yorkshire swimming pool tragedy
A girl aged 5 has died following an incident on Saturday at a pool at the Dome Leisure Centre in Doncaster. She had lost consciousness and could not be revived despite efforts of staff and emergency services. 6th August 2007.

England
Horrific error at Hampshire scrap yard
A man died yesterday in a vehicle picked up and crushed by a hydraulic grab at the premises of Huntley and Sons in Southampton.
The deceased was a visitor to the yard and there has been speculation that he may have returned and entered the vehicle to retrieve something just as it was being lifted. 4th August 2007.

Scotland
Child drowns on Western Isles boating trip
A small craft carrying 8 army cadets and 4 adults overturned yesterday as it sailed on Loch Carnan, South Uist, with the loss of life of a 14-year-old girl. The girl was later recovered from the water but could not be revived in hospital. 4th August 2007.

England
Further construction site deaths
It is reported that a man died following an industrial accident yesterday on a Manchester city centre building site on Dale Street. The accounts given say he was struck by a section of structural steel.
In London, a demolition worker died in an accident on a development project at Castle House, Elephant & Castle. 3rd August 2007.

Northern Ireland
Farmer killed in collision with train
A farmer died when his tractor was in collision near Limavady with the Londonderry to Castlerock train yesterday afternoon.
The 70-year-old was negotiating his vehicle over an unmanned crossing when it was struck, no passengers were injured. 3rd August 2007.

England
Fatal forklift accident
A man has died in an industrial accident at an engineering works on the Tunnel Bank Industrial Estate, Bourne, Lincolnshire.
One account states he died at the scene, crushed under his overturned forklift. 2nd August 2007.

United Kingdom
Great disappointment at new UK workplace death figures
The provisional figure for the number of workers fatally injured in the United Kingdom during 2006/07 is 241, an increase from 217 on the preceding 12 months, representing an 11% rise.
The Construction sector accounted for 77 deaths (3.7 per 100K workers); Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 34 deaths (8.1 per 100K); Extractive and utility supply 10 deaths (6.0 per 100K).
Despite this year's rise, the HSE observes a long-term downward trend, its Chief Executive warns: “Those who are putting the lives of their workforce at risk should know that HSE takes this very seriously. In the past year we have approved 25% more prosecutions than the year before and our inspectors have served 1,000 more enforcement notices. No one should believe that they can get away with serious breaches of health and safety.” 1st August 2007.