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Philippines
Fatal scaffold collapse at golf club site
A scaffold collapse at Villamor Air Base golf course in Pasay City yesterday killed 2 construction workers of Philmar Construction Corporation who were erecting tall posts for a ball retaining net. They were at a height of 12 metres when the scaffold collapsed, 3 other workers were injured. 28th February 2009.
Canada
Toronto company fined over fatal scaffold collapse
At Ontario Court of Justice, Old City Hall, Toronto, the Owner of Home Aid Masonry (HAM Masonry Services) has been fined $20K(£10,986) after pleading guilty to breaching Ontario Regulation 213/91, Section 128(1) of the Occupational Health and Safety Act in respect of a workplace fatality at a site on Spadina Avenue, Toronto.
On November 14th 2007, workers were on a scaffold repairing masonry when the scaffold collapsed, a worker on the top tier fell 6 metres and died, another fell from the 2nd tier and was injured.
Ministry of Labour investigation established that the scaffold lacked several components, including vertical and horizontal bracing, connecting devices and a jack screw. Also the scaffold was not properly secured to the building. 28th February 2009.
Japan
Woman killed in fall down lift shaft at food plant
A 57-year old woman has died in a fall down a lift shift at Ogawa Foods in Himeji where she was engaged in transporting stock down from the 2nd floor of the building to the 1st floor level. She was found wedged between the lift cage and the shaft wall, having fallen down to the 1st floor. The lift's doors are operated manually and only upon arrival at a floor. 27th February 2009.
Scotland
Investigation into Spanish trawlerman's death from falling load
The circumstances of the death of a Spanish fisherman of the Kirrixki trawler in Lochinver on May 6th 2006 have been heard this week at Dornoch Sheriff Court.
Boxes laden with fish were loaded on to a pallet by 5 fishermen in the ship's hold prior to hoisting on to the quay by crane. However, the winch rope failed during the lift, causing the load to fall and crush the fisherman directly under it in the hold.
An expert witness opined that the rope was in poor condition, unlubricated, and that there were no equipment maintenance records. Additionally, the skipper was unaware of the crane hoisting capacity, an estimated 600Kgs of fish was being raised.
The boat's owners, Lagun Talde, have already been fined £30K plus £50K compensation costs in court in Bilbao, the sheriff in Dornoch will release his findings at a later date. 27th February 2009.
Germany
 Family of 4 killed in light aircraft crash at Kiel
A light aircraft crash in Schleswig-Holstein has claimed the lives of the pilot and 3 family members who were on a sightseeing flight from Kiel-Holtenau, the plane crashed in Helserdeich with no report from the flight of technical problems prior to the accident, the bodies were recovered on Wednesday morning. .26th February 2009.
USA
Falling clothes rack kills Kentucky Wal-Mart worker
A Wal-Mart warehouse worker succumbed to head and neck injuries after being clouted by a falling clothes rack at the company's premises on Westport Road, Louisville, it appears that an S-hook holding the rack from the ceiling had failed. 26th February 2009.
Austria
Unlicensed, drunk snow plough driver kills jogger in Vienna
A jogger was run over and killed by a snow plough yesterday on the Prater Hauptalle, Vienna, the driver is alleged to have failed a breath test for alcohol, to not be in possession of a valid driving licence and whose residency permit may not be legal. 25th February 2009.
Spain
 Falling sections kill Aragon site workers
Falling concrete sections have killed 2 workers, a Romanian and a Portuguese national, at the site of the Segundo de Chomon secondary school in Teruel, another worker's leg was fractured in the incident. 25th February 2009.
South Africa
Trench accident kills 5 in Free State
An unstable excavation has claimed the lives of 5 workers at a site in Lindley, in the eastern Free State, where they were working to install drainage. Soil of fine tilth began to fill the trench, trapping one of the workers. When his 4 colleagues entered it to help him out, the 5-metre-deep trench collapsed completely. Initial investigation of the accident alleges that the site had not been registered with the Department of Labour. 24th February 2009.
China
 At least 74 miners killed in explosion in Gujiao
An explosion at the Tunlan Coal Mine of the Shanxi Coking Coal Group in Gujiao killed 74 miners at the weekend, a further 113 were injured, of whom 21 were listed in critical condition. More than 400 miners were underground with dozens trapped. The Tunlan is one of 28 mines owned by the group. 23rd February 2009.
Gaza
 Confined space incident kills 5 in contraband tunnel
Five persons, presumed to have been smuggling, died over the weekend in a confined space accident in the Rafah tunnel between the Gaza Strip and Egypt. 23rd February 2009.
USA
Falling steel kills worker at Washington Microsoft site
A construction worker of RPM Construction was killed in an accident on Thursday at the new Microsoft site in Redmond, Washington. He was apparently detaching rebar supports as a rebar form was being positioned in concrete from a crane but the rebar became unstable and fell on him. 20th February 2009.
Turkey
Perfume warehouse explosion; Istanbul shipyard worker electrocuted
A gas leak is speculated as the cause of a major explosion at a perfume warehouse in Eskisehir in central Turkey which has left 16 workers injured, 2 listed in critical condition.
Elsewhere, a fatal electrocution was reported from the Tuzla shipyard in Istanbul, details of the incident are not known. 20th February 2009.
Australia
Driver crushed by coal at Hunter Valley mine
A 59-year old HGV driver was killed in the early hours of Wednesday in an accident during coal loading at a mine near Ravensworth, New South Wales, when coal from a chute entered the driving cab and crushed him. 19th February 2009.
Japan
Patient choked to death on inappropriate menu
Police in Hiratsuka are considering whether to lay charges of professional negligence resulting in death following the death of a 79-year old patient who choked on her food in a local hospital where she had been admitted with a fractured leg. Given her age it was noted on her file that her meals should be light and easily swallowed but she appeared to have been given a standard menu. The hospital has allegedly acknowledged a procedural error to police, indicating that amendments to patient menus later in the day require confirmatory phone calls to the hospital kitchen, which failed to happen for this patient. 19th February 2009.
South Africa
Transport fatality at Anglo Coal mine
The Department of Minerals and Energy is investigating a transport accident at Anglo Coal‘s Goedehoop mine where a worker was struck by a coal transporting vehicle, succumbing to his injuries in hospital. 18th February 2009.
Antarctica
Cruise ship grounds on McClary glacier
The Bahamas-flagged cruise ship Ocean Nova contacted the Argentinian San Martin research base for help on Tuesday after running aground in 27 metres of water at the McClary glacier in Marguerite Bay, the Spanish ocean survey ship Hesperides was making its way to the cruise ship carrying 71 passengers and 35 Danish crew. 18th February 2009.
Russia
Fire kills 15 squatters in dilapidated hostel
Fire in a condemned former workers‘ hostel has killed 15 occupants of the 3-storey timber building in Molodyozhny in the Astrakhan region. The former dormitory lacked a fire alarm and its power had been disconnected, but around 80 migrant workers and their families had reoccupied the building and improvised a reconnection of power. 17th February 2009.
Austria
Scarf almost strangles girl in ski lift accident
A 10-year old Australian girl on a family holiday in the Tyrol was almost strangled by her scarf after slipping from a ski lift chair at Hochotz, the scarf snagging on the moving chair. Prompt action by the lift attendant, who deactivated the lift, and by the child’s father who revived the unconscious girl prior to the ski rescue medics’ arrival helped save her life. She was detained overnight in Zams hospital but will be able to continue her holiday. 17th February 2009.
South Korea
 Subsidence and steel collapse kills 3 site workers
An earth slippage and steelwork collapse at the site of the SK Chemicals research centre construction site in Pangyo, south of Seoul, killed 3 workers and left 8 others injured on Saturday. As well as the steelwork, 6 container boxes fell 25 metres down into the excavation where SK Engineering and Construction is building the 15-storey building, 6 floors being underground. 16th February 2009.
Germany
 Porsche test driver killed in trial run
Investigation is underway into an accident in which a 51-year old Porsche company driver was killed in an accident during a test run in a Porsche 911 Cabrio near the Weiterstadt exit on the Darmstadt-Karlsruhe motorway where it struck the central barrier at speed.
The company has confirmed that it was not conducting a high speed test, these being conducted only in specially closed sections of the autobahn.
The A5 between Frankfurt and Darmstadt is regularly used by car manufacturers for test runs and is a stretch of motorway with no speed limits.  16th February 2009.
England
Crush accident at Essex plant
A 50-year old worker is listed in stable condition in Addenbrooke‘s Hospital where he is being treated for pelvic and abdominal injuries after a heavy machine section fell on him at Eco Manufacturing in St Mary‘s Industrial Estate, Ramsey, west of Harwich. 13th February 2009.
Croatia
Legionnaires' outbreak linked to sports centres
It would appear that the locus of infection of an outbreak of legionnaires' disease, which has afflicted more than a dozen visitors to the recent World Handball Championship, would be sports centres hosting the event. The Serbian Health Ministry is reporting that 12 fans attending the event contracted the disease, Norwegian and Danish visitors have also been afflicted, initial speculation of hotels being the source is being increasingly disregarded. 13th February 2009.
USA
 Worker killed at Chicago envelope manufacturer
A 54-year old worker has been killed in a machinery accident at the Cenveo envelope manufacturing plant in North Rockwell Street, Chicago, colleagues found him trapped in the machine's rollers. 12th February 2009.
Japan
Helicopter hits power line during utility inspection
A Bell 206 helicopter of SNK Company crashed on Tuesday morning during aerial inspection of power lines in Gunma after one of its blades contacted a power line, the pilot and an employee of Tokyo Electric Power Company sustained serious back injuries including fractures. 11th February 2009.
UAE
Tanker and container ships collide off Jebel Ali
The oil tanker Kashmir and a Maltese-flagged ship, the Sima Saba, collided 5 miles off Palm Jebel Ali on Tuesday, both ships caught fire, the Kashmir burning for several hours. Rescuers plucked 2 crew men from the water, no other detail of injuries was initially available. 11th February 2009.
New Zealand
Meat worker's hand reattached in 13-hour surgery
A 26-year old Benneydale meat processing worker is recovering following 13-hour surgery in Waikato Hospital where surgeons have reattached his hand which was virtually severed at the wrist while using a band saw at the factory near Te Kuiti. 10th February 2009.
Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic competition sailor missing from boat
A 55-year old French gym teacher skippering single-handedly in the Transquadra competition between St Nazaire and Le Marin in the West Indies is reported missing from his boat which has been reached by competition organisers 740 miles east of Martinique.
The Transquadra is a competition for sailors over 40 years of age and complies with ISAF sailing rules and has 23 single-handed competitors and 81 double-handed. 10th February 2009.
Brazil
Amazon plane crashes in river, 24 dead
A twin-turbo aircraft of Manaus Aerotaxis came down in the Manacapuru river 50 miles south of Manaus during a flight from Coari, 24 people died in the partially sunken fuselage from which 4 survivors swam to safety.
The accident occurred in torrential rain, it is speculated that the pilot was attempting to make for Manacapuru Airport 2 miles away but came down in the river. The plane may also have been exceeding its capacity of 21 persons by 33%. 9th February 2009.
Uganda
Commission finds builder and consultant negligent over Kampala site accident
The commission of inquiry investigating the fatal accident at the 23-storey Pension Towers site in Kampala where 7 workers died when a retaining wall collapsed has alleged gross negligence by Roko Construction, citing design alterations without approval, inadequate site supervision and the employment of unqualified engineers, breaching S.29 of the Engineers Registration Act CAP 271.
Consultants Sentoogo & Partners have also been deemed negligent in not ensuring that Roko had hired qualified engineers.
The Towers was originally designed as a 7-storey building, with excavation to a depth of 6 metres; 17 metres had been excavated for the extra storeys when the accident occurred. The report recommends a site engineer and a health and safety officer to be resident on the site. 9th February 2009.
UAE
 H2S triple fatality at Shah oilfield
Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Operations has indicated that 3 workers died in a  hydrogen sulphide accident at the Shah oilfield south of the Liwa oasis in Al Gharbia, a 4th worker afflicted is listed in stable condition.
The gas, heavier than air and dangerous in even low concentrations, human tolerance being just 20 parts per million, was emitted from crude oil. 6th February 2009.
USA
 Crane collapse on Maryland site
A crane collapsed during a lifting operation on Thursday morning at the Annapolis Towne Centre in Parole where ventilation units were being hoisted on to the roof of the Whole Foods building. A section of the crane, operated by Maxim Crane Company, fell on to the cab, inflicting life-threatening injuries to the 46-year old operator. 6th February 2009.
Southern Ocean
Slovenian sailor’s boat found empty
The Slovenian authorities are being advised that the 72-year old yachtsman Jure Sterk is missing, presumed dead, after his 9m-long boat was found empty in the Southern Ocean off Western Australia. He was attempting his 2nd circumnavigation of the globe since setting out from Tuaranga, New Zealand, as the oldest sailor and in the smallest unmotorised craft. He was known to have had difficulties with his water maker and had experienced rough seas near Diego Ramirez isle (Cape Horn). Contact was lost with him in January during the leg from the Cape of Good Hope to New Zealand. 5th February 2009.
Iceland
Horses fall through thin ice at equestrian event
The ice surface cracked during an equestrian event on Tjornin Lake (Reykjavik Pond) this week, causing a number of the 20 horses and riders to slip through into the gelid water. No casualties occurred but some of the horses were considerably weakened by their immersion in the water. The event was a “tolt”(rack) show, displaying Icelandic horses special gait (tolt) on a track measured out on the frozen lake. 5th February 2009.
USA
 Falling plate kills Milwaukee welder
A falling steel plate killed a welder on Tuesday morning at the Monarch Corporation machining and fabrication plant on North 76th Street, Milwaukee, a crane was required to lift the heavy plate off the victim. 4th February 2009.
USA
 Transport fatality at Georgia paper mill
While clearing debris from crane rail tracks in the yard at International Paper in South Augusta, a 66-year old Georgia worker has been killed after being struck by a timber-loading crane. 4th February 2009.
Russia
 Alcohol in blood of Perm accident pilot
The crash of a Boeing 737 Aeroflot-Nord jet at Perm last September with the loss of 88 lives was recorded as pilot error following a second landing attempt in difficult weather conditions, this week a report has indicated that traces of alcohol were present in the blood of the muscle tissue of the flight's captain. 4th February 2009.
China
Arrests made after 15 die in fire in Fujian bar
Police in Changle City in Fujian Province have made 20 arrests in connection with a weekend fire at a bar in the city where 15 people died and 24 were injured, 1 listed in critical condition.
The owners and management of the premises were arrested as well as customers who set off fireworks. The local government on Monday issued a temporary closure order against 112 city bars and dance clubs pending safety audits. 3rd February 2009.
France
Worker’s fall from height at castle
An air ambulance helicopter was summoned to Questembert castle late on Monday afternoon after reports that a worker had fallen from height, no details of his condition were available. 3rd February 2009.
Kenya
 Rift Valley fuel tanker incident claims 111 lives
At least 111 people died and more than 200 were injured when a petrol tanker exploded after it had crashed in Molo in the Rift Valley, 100 miles from Nairobi. Many locals were taking the opportunity to help themselves to leaking fuel when the accident occurred. 2nd February 2009.
Japan
 Rogue wave theory promulgated in trawler sinking
A wave simulation model driven by wind and ocean currents is being used to investigate the sinking of the Suwa Maru No 58 fishing boat which sank with its 20-man crew off Cape Inubosaki last June. Sea conditions were reported moderate at the time with waves of 2-3 metres in height but a theory has been promulgated that waves of abnormal size occurred twice, the 2nd wave sinking the boat 10 minutes after the first wave. The wave steepness increased, the waves becoming longer and crested, favouring the development of a rogue wave. With the rising wind speed, the swell would have grown exponentially. However, wave height would only have been one factor. Others such as wave grouping, wave period (time between crests) and wave direction would be factors for consideration. 2nd February 2009
Russia
Komi care home fire claims at least 23 lives
At least 23 people are missing, feared dead, following a fire which engulfed a care home for the elderly in the village of Podyelsk in the Komi republic. The single-storey timber building, 750 miles northeast of Moscow, which housed 26 residents was completely engulfed by flames, the local fire crew’s resources being severely overstretched to tackle the scale of the accident. Apart from 3 female residents known to have been rescued a night guard has also escaped the blaze but 2 other employees were yet to be accounted for as fire crews began to enter the building on Saturday evening. 1st February 2009.

 

  
USA
Chainsaw recoils against Massachusetts arborist
A self-employed Massachusetts arborist was killed in a chainsaw accident this week while sawing a large tree section near South Hadley, the chainsaw recoiled violently and struck him on the neck. 28th February 2009
India
 5 killed in explosion at Kerala fireworks unit
Negligent handling of explosive chemicals is speculated as the likeliest cause of an explosion on Thursday at a firework cracker factory in the village of Mezhathur, in the Palakkad district of Kerala, which killed 5 people and left 8 others injured.
The premises comprised of 3 thatched buildings, all of which exploded, it has also been alleged that the unit's operating licence had expired. 27th February 2009
Bangladesh
Heavy hawser kills shipbreaker
A shipbreaker has been killed in an accident at the Mak International Shipbreaking yard in Sitakunda where a heavy hawser used to pull broken ship sections fell on him from height. 26th February 2009
USA
New Jersey worker killed in wood chipper
A New Jersey worker was killed after being drawn into a wood chipping machine at the Generated Materials wood recycling plant in Edison, initial speculation suggests that he had been on the conveyor belt which feeds material to the machine. 26th February 2009
Australia
Iron ore train kills Western Australia worker
In the early hours of Tuesday a worker was killed by an iron ore train on the Tabba rail line of BHP Billiton, 45 miles south of Port Hedland, the Department of Mines and Petroleum is investigating the accident. 25th February 2009
Germany
Saar maintenance workers in critical burns accident
An electrical short circuit has left 2 workers with life-threatening burns in an accident at the Reden power station (site of the former Reden mine) in Landsweiler, Saarland, where they were engaged on maintenance work on an electrical transformer. 25th February 2009
Romania
Worker killed in explosion at MOD research unit
A 37-year old explosives expert was killed in an explosion on Monday at a Ministry of Defence research establishment in Bucharest where work is undertaken to counter nuclear, biological or chemical warfare. 24th February 2009
Slovakia
12 bus passengers killed in level crossing accident
A level crossing accident involving a bus and a regional train at the Polomka-Helpa crossing, near Brezno in Banska Bystrica, killed 12 people on Saturday, another 20 of the 37 bus passengers from Banovce-nad-Bebravou were hospitalised with serious injuries. The train derailed in the incident but no passengers were apparently injured.
Initial speculation has suggested that the bus had experienced engine problems while trying to clear the unguarded crossing, the authorities are hoping to interview the bus driver today(Monday), sight lines to the left from where the train was coming were good. 23rd February 2009
Russia
 Gas explosion at Buryatia brewery
Gas leaked from a lorry in a garage at a brewery on Dalnegorskaya St in Ulan-Ude, Buryatia, 2 persons on the premises were injured in the ensuing explosion. 23rd February 2009
New Zealand
Cruise ship worker seriously injured in fire drill
A serious crush accident occurred during a fire drill on the Australian cruise ship Oceanic Discoverer in the New Zealand port of Napier where a worker became crushed between a fire door and a bulkhead during the drill, he is listed in intensive care after surgery. 20th February 2009
USA
Falling doors kill worker at Florida jail
Falling steel doors have killed a teenage worker of Matrix Employee Leasing, who was working with Hollow Hill Enterprises, door installers who are renovating the St John’s County jail in St Augustine, Florida. The victim had been holding a number of the heavy doors upright but as one was being removed from the rear of the stack the remainder became unstable and fell on him. 19th February 2009
Russia
CO incident at Far East sheltered housing
An outbreak of fire at a sheltered house apartment for WW2 veterans in Pereyaslavska, Khabarovsk, has seen 2 residents hospitalised with carbon monoxide poisoning, initial speculation suggests negligence with an open fire. Seven other residents were safely evacuated. 19th February 2009
USA
Landscaper killed at New Jersey dwellinghouse site
A landscape gardener has been killed in a transport accident at a dwellinghouse site on Monterey Court, Holmdel, New Jersey, where Perfection Landscaping was engaged at the rear of the property where the 58-year old worker was struck by a reversing 11-ton excavator. 18th February 2009
Malta
Non-swimming recruit drowned on training exercise
The teenage soldier who was critically injured on military training at Chadwick Lakes at the weekend (see 16th Feb), where he was 1 of 9 soldiers on a teamwork land and water exercise, has since died. All recruits were in combat gear, including weapon and 20Kg backpack.
It is alleged that it was 10 minutes before he was discovered underwater, yet he was a non-swimmer and would have been wading in very cold water which has a depth of 2m in places and against a current. 18th February 2009
Chile
13 killed as firefighting helicopter crashes in Pelluhue
The pilot of a Bell UHiH helicopter of Flight Service and 12 firemen were killed when their aircraft crashed on the slopes of Mt Polhuin. It had been returning from a fire in Chanco in Chile’s 7th Region and was believed to have been flying to Quirihue. 17th February 2009
Luxembourg
Vehicle rolls from bridge on to permanent way
A delivery van failed to negotiate a bridge at Kleinbettingen station on Monday morning and rolled down an embankment on to the Luxembourg-Kleinbettingen railway line. The van driver was taken to hospital but apparently came through the accident with only minor injuries. 17th February 2009
USA
 Utility worker electrocuted in Fort Lauderdale
An employee of Florida Power and Light Company (FPL) was electrocuted on Sunday morning during upgrading work on East Broward Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. It remains unclear why a bucket he was in went back up and contacted the power lines after they had been re-energised. 16th February 2009
Malaysia
 Worker buried alive in site landslide
A landslide at an apartment block construction site in Jalan Ceylon(Ceylon Lane), Kuala Lumpur, has left 1 worker buried alive and another badly injured. 16th February 2009
Belgium
Fire prompts plan d’urgence
On Thursday afternoon the local authority in Saint-Nicolas deployed the local emergency plan (plan d’urgence communal) when a local skating rink burned down and also spread to the adjacent Vedumo factory which has a stock of gas cylinders on the premises, by early evening no decision on an evacuation of homes had been taken. 13th February 2009
Czech Republic
Harrachov ski lift malfunction
A technical malfunction in a chair on a 4-seat chairlift at the Harrachov ski centre in Krkonose saw a collision in which 2 skiers were injured and treated in hospital in Jilemnice for a broken arm and other injuries. 13th February 2009
USA
 Arizona worker electrocuted when pole contacts power lines
An electrocution has been reported at the Dodge Transportation project at East River Road/ North Dodge Road, Tucson, where a 61-year old worker was killed when a pole being erected contacted overhead power lines at the site. 12th February 2009
England
 Baling machine worker was killed by explosion
 An employee of Deeside Metals died following an industrial accident in March 2005 when an explosive atmosphere created by escaping aerosol vapour ignited at its premises in Chester.
The 37-year old man was crushing the aerosol containers when the vapours ignited, inflicting massive burns and damage by inhalation, the inquest jury determined a narrative verdict. 12th February 2009
Canada
Snow brings down farm barn roof, 1 dead
It is speculated that a heavy accumulation of snow caused the roof of a barn to collapse at Mayfair Farm, on Island Park, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba, which caused the death of 1 worker and injured 3 others in the building which stores vegetables. 11th February 2009
Bulgaria
Motel fire
Fire engulfed the Relax Motel in Belashtitsa on the Upper Thracian Plain on Tuesday morning from which 5 construction workers were able to escape, it is speculated that an electrical malfunction caused the blaze which destroyed the single-storey timber roof structure. 11th February 2009
USA
Youth's arm severed in Oklahoma oil pump
A 17-year old youth's left arm had to be amputated at the shoulder after it became caught in a moving part of a pump jack rig at an Oklahoma City oil pump on North Hudson Avenue where he and another youth had scaled a 2.7m-high chain-link fence at the site. 10th February 2009
Nigeria
Portuguese highway engineer kidnapped
A highway engineer of Portuguese construction firm Picolo has been kidnapped at gun point from company premises in Ajagba, in Ondo province, where he has been working on a road project. 10th February 2009
Turkey
Fatal accident at Istanbul shipyard
A fatal accident has been reported from a shipyard in the Tuzla dock area of Istanbul, no details are yet available. Laxity in observation of safety by subcontractors is a constant problem for the Turkish authorities with regard to the Tuzla shipyard's safety record. 9th February 2009
USA
Tree felling fatality at Atlanta gold club
A workman has been killed in an arboreal accident during the felling of a 35-metre high tree at the Big Creek Golf Club in Millington, Tennessee, fire crews worked for 2 hours to remove the tree and recover his body. 9th February 2009
Morocco
 6 children killed in roof collapse in Atlas village
The weight of snow on the roof of a house in Ait Abdi, 120 miles east of Marrakech, led to the roof's collapse and the deaths of 6 children, extremely inclement weather in the Azilal area of the Atlas has seen at least 14 deaths since midweek. 6th February 2009
Belgium
 Oil tank explosion during cleaning at car dealership
An explosion during the cleaning of an old oil tank by a specialist company injured 2 workers on Thursday during the work at the rear of the Peeters Opal dealership in Waterloo, the condition of both men was unknown. 6th February 2009
USA
Joiner killed in farm roof fall
A fall of 8 metres through the roof of a farm building has killed a joiner in Deerfield, Massachusetts. 5th February 2009
USA
Forklift fatality at Baltimore sugar plant
A worker was killed on Wednesday in an accident involving a forklift truck at the Domino Sugar factory in Baltimore, Maryland, succumbing to head injuries. 5th February 2009
Germany
 4 metre fall from ladder proves fatal
A 64-year old worker died in hospital in Ravensburg on Tuesday from head injuries after falling 4 metres from a ladder at a work site on Monday. 4th February 2009
Rep Ireland
 HSA stepping up farm inspections
With 2 farm workplace deaths already recorded in 2009 the HSA plans more farm safety inspections in the coming months, last year saw agriculture account for 21 of the 57 workplace fatalities nationally. 4th February 2009
India
Kerala clay factory explosion kills 2 workers
The Inspectorate of Factories and Boilers is studying the circumstances of an explosion which killed 2 workers at the Ashapura Mine Chem clay factory in Menamkulam, Kerala. The explosion, believed to have had its locus in an unpressurised breaching chamber, occurred during the testing of a powder drier. The chamber vents directly to a chimney. Dust explosion? 3rd February 2009
Malta
Female jockey critically injured in race fall
A 22-year old female jockey is being treated in Mater Dei Hospital for life-threatening injuries sustained in a heavy fall during a race at the  Marsa Race Track, the accident is now the subject of a magistrate’s inquiry. 3rd February 2009
USA
 Special Operations paratrooper drowns in parachute training
An investigation is underway at MacDill Air Force Base, 8 miles south of Tampa, Florida, into the death of a Special Operations paratrooper who drowned during a parachute training exercise. The member of 6th Air Mobility Wing came down in a lake at Gadsen Park, and was recovered in 7 metres of water around 20 metres from the bank.  2nd February 2009
 
England
 Fire death at care home
A resident at the Kitnocks House care home, in Curdridge, Hants, died in a fire on Thursday night which started in his room.
The male resident, aged 66, died at the scene, other residents and staff were safely evacuated without serious injury. 28th February 2009
Austria
School bus driver fails breath test after accident
A school bus driver was arrested and charged with alleged drunk driving on Friday morning when his bus carrying 16 children to school skidded off the road and rolled on to its side in Wetzles, on the Czech Republic border, neither the driver nor children were seriously injured. 28th February 2009
England
 Child injured on Yorks farmland
 A girl aged 9 is reported to be in a  critical condition after an incident involving an excavator on land outside Todmorden. The incident occurred on 17th February. 27th February 2009
France
Surgeons remove healthy breast in error
Medical negligence by a theatre team at the Leon-Berard oncology unit in Lyon saw a female patient's healthy breast removed in error. The patient was already in sedated condition when a team member was redeployed prior to surgery. Once the error has been realised, the malignant breast was then removed.  26th February 2009
Australia
Queensland meat manufacturer fined over broken arm accidents
Thomas Borthwicks & Sons have been fined $114K(£51,896) plus $8,420(£3,833) costs in respect of 2 separate workplace accidents in 2006 in which female staff broke arms in unguarded moving equipment while trying to remove meat from rollers. The 1st incident involved a cleaner who was untrained and working unsupervised; the 2nd occurred during a quality control inspection. 26th February 2009
USA
Transport death at Nevada airport site
A 25-year old Hawaiian worker of Las Vegas Paving Corporation has been killed in a plant accident at Terminal 3 of McCarrron Airport, south Nevada, where the driver of an earth mover lost control of his vehicle which struck the victim who was in a ditch. 25th February 2009
Rep Ireland
HSA's farm safety seminar strategy
In response to poor safety figures in relation to farm accidents, HSA and Teagasc are beginning a series of seminars next week, beginning in Tipperary, focussing on prevention strategies, safety training and injury case studies.
In 2008, 40% of Irish workplace deaths occurred in farming which accounts for just 6% of the workforce. The accident breakdown:  tractors(49%), livestock(15%), falls from height(12%) and drowning(12%).
Already in 2009, 4 farming workplace deaths have occurred. 25th February 2009
England
Unguarded machine accident at Yorks factory
At Dewsbury Magistrates Court on Monday, 600 UK Ltd of Leeds  pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a safe workplace in respect of an accident at its factory in Heckmondwike where a worker sustained serious arm injuries on an unguarded cutting tool. The worker's clothing had snagged on a vertical jig borer, he attempted to disengage the drive with his other hand but a braking malfunction meant that it continued to rotate until colleagues intervened.
The company was fined £20K plus £5,046 costs. 24th February 2009
England
Diver's death at Maltese ferry wreck avoidable
Hartlepool Magistrates' Court has returned a verdict of accidental death of a British diver in November at the site of the sunken Gozo car ferry, Xlendi, at Xatt I-Ahmar.(See stories 4th & 18th November 2008). The court regarded the incident as avoidable, if there had been clear signs at the entrance to the overturned wreck. One had fallen down at the entrance, another was obscured and a third was facing out to sea at the other end of the wreck. With only minimal visibility inside the heavily silted wreck, the diver became separated from 2 colleagues. His body was recovered 15 days later from the ferry's cafeteria area by specialist unit Spider divers. 24th February 2009
Estonia
Only seabed investigation could prove if Estonia was holed
The latest enquiry commission of the Estonian government into the sinking of the ferry Estonia in 1994 with the loss of 852 lives has concurred with previous investigations that design and construction flaws were the likeliest cause of the accident, namely that the bow doors were poorly designed or constructed.
Some victims' relatives had postulated a theory that a possible hole in the hull could have been the result of an explosion of military ordnance, it was previously established that Sweden had shipped such equipment on the 14th and 20th September 1994 on the Estonia, no proof of such a cargo could be established on the fateful sailing between Stockholm and Tallinn on the 27th/28th September. The notion of the hull being holed could only be proved by seabed investigation. 23rd February 2009
England
 Fatal accident at quarry
An employee of a plant hire company has died in an industrial accident at the Divet Hill quarry in Northumberland operated by Cemex.
One report states that he was crushed beneath an item of plant.
23rd February 2009
England
Pilot killed at Lincs airfield
A pilot on his 50‘s was killed in a crash at Fenland Airfield in Holbeach St John, Lincs, on Saturday when his single-seat light aircraft encountered technical problems shortly after take-off. He issued a mayday before coming down close to a runway at the airfield. 23rd February 2009
USA
Stevedore fatality at Jacksonville
A fatal accident was reported on Thursday morning at Jacksonville Port Authority‘s Blount Island, Florida, where an employee of Coastal Maritime Stevedoring was killed during cargo vessel operations, no details of the accident were initially available. 20th February 2009
USA
Welder killed in hot work accident at Washington potato plant
A confined space accident rescue team was required to recover the body of a welder who died in an explosion while working in a tank at the ConAgra Foods Lamb Weston potato processing plant in Boardman, Washington, the victim is believed to have been a subcontractor of Northwest Metal Fabricators. 19th February 2009
Australia
Machine fatality at Victoria carton manufacturers
A teenage worker‘s clothing snagged on rotating parts of a box-printing machine in Thomastown, Victoria, drawing him head first into the printing machine from which rescuers strove for 45 minutes to release him. He died later in Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria’s 4th workplace fatality of the year. 19th February 2009
France
CO incident at Le Mans physiotherapy practice
A physiotherapist and 4 patients were hospitalised on Tuesday for treatment for carbon monoxide poisoning, the 4 patients had been in the waiting room at the practice on rue Docteur-Gallouedec, Le Mans. 18th February 2009
Czech Republic
SPAD collision near Paskov
Two trains collided just outside Paskov station on Monday morning leading to more than 40 injuries, initial investigation of the accident points to a train leaving Paskov station against a red light and colliding with an approaching train. 17th February 2009
Australia
 Raft tour accident on Queensland river
A rafting accident has claimed the life of a tourist on the Tully River, Queensland, where 7 people were on a tour with RnR Rafting of Cairns when the raft overturned, the other 6 tourists were rescued, 1 being treated in Cairns Base Hospital. Queensland Workplace Health & Safety is investigating the weekend accident on the river's upper reaches. 16th February 2009
Malta
 Soldier critically injured in training accident
A 19-year old solider of C (Special Duties) Company, 1 Reg AFM is listed in critical condition in hospital following an accident at the weekend while training at Chadwick Lakes. 16th February 2009
England
Yorks forklift death verdict
A verdict of accidental death has been recorded in respect of a fatal accident involving a forklift truck at Wagg Foods on the Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate in Topcliffe, Yorkshire, where a worker became trapped between a forklift he was operating and a hopper after inclining from the vehicle‘s safety cage during transit, drivers at the pet food plant being trained to remain within the forklift‘s safety cage during transit. 13th February 2009
England
 Concrete hose delivered fatal blow
 A man died when the delivery end of a hose being used to pump concrete whipped violently when it was restarted. The deceased was working on a pour on 1st December 2003 near Adwick le Street, Doncaster, when the incident occurred.
Employer, UCS Civils Ltd of Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, was fined £40,000 with costs of £31,600.
Pochin Concrete Pumping Ltd of Middlewich, Cheshire, was fined £40,000 with costs of £45,000.
An HSE inspector commented: "This case highlights the need to fully consider all the risks involved when planning work and putting in place measures to control the risk. The precautions that should have been adopted were as simple as to ensure that no-one stood close to the end of the flexible delivery hose until concrete was flowing smoothly from it - something which would have not added any significant cost or time to the work." 12th February 2009
Austria
Fire in Vienna car workshop
Fire broke out in a maintenance workshop of a car dealership in Oberaar Street in Vienna on Tuesday morning, the source is speculated to have been a canister containing chemicals. The accident saw 3 employees hospitalised with burns, the presence of gas cylinders posed particular problems for fire crews. 11th February 2009
Iceland
Confined space accident in trawler hold
A confined space fatal accident in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere was narrowly averted at Akranes harbour when 2 trawlermen were brought out of the hold of the Ingunn AK during the unloading of a catch of pearlside. The first fisherman was overcome in the atmosphere in which the fish were in an advancing state of decomposition, the second man making a rescue attempt was also overcome. Colleagues used firefighting gear on the boat to reach the stricken pair and attach ropes to lift them out in a 20-minute rescue. Both are recovering in hospital in Reykjavik.
Pearlside are small fish and decompose quicker, a trial system on the Ingunn AK has been using fresh water to chill the catch rather than brine to control the salt content. 10th February 2009
Pakistan
Polish engineer victim of terrorist attack
Polish authorities are set to confirm that the victim seen beheaded in a graphic video is that of a Polish engineer kidnapped in September while visiting a site surveying oil and gas fields in Attock, northwest Pakistan, the attack saw his driver, bodyguard and translator all killed. 10th February 2009
USA
Confined space death at Georgia landfill
A confined space accident claimed the life of an employee of Quality Drilling at the Seminole Road Landfill site in Ellenwood, Georgia, where he fell down an 18-metre deep well shaft upon removing a cover, the company has been engaged in introducing pipes into the shafts to release methane gas. 9th February 2009
Russia
Moscow hostel fire
Fire broke out on Sunday at a 3-storey hostel in Stakhanovskaya, southeast Moscow, which saw 1 resident injured and 30 others evacuated, a large section of roof collapsed as the 3rd floor and loft burned out. 9th February 2009
USA
 Fence erector killed in machine accident on Californian farm
A 20-year old Californian worker has been killed in an accident during fence erection on a farm near Dos Palos, 45 miles northwest of Fresno, where industrial equipment was being utilised to drill holes for posts. A spinning bolt snagged his clothing and drew him towards the shaft and into the hole. 6th February 2009
Spain
 Investigation into ramp collapse on Catalan site
An investigation is underway into an accident at a warehouse on the Laverno Industrial estate in Subirats where a worker's body was recovered from under rubble on Thursday following the collapse of a concrete ramp he was working on. 6th February 2009
USA
Rear-riding refuse collector’s fortunate escape
A Pennsylvanian refuse collector sustained non-life-threatening injuries yesterday when the wagon on the rear of which he was riding skidded on a snowy surface in Lancaster, leaving him pinned against a wall near South Queen Street, the relatively slow speed of the vehicle reducing the impact. 5th February 2009
England
 Critical burns accident in Essex
A worker sustained critical flash burns to his upper body in an industrial accident involving an explosion and fire in a chemical-containing waste skip in Vanguard Way, Shoebury, an Essex Air Ambulance transferred him to hospital on Tuesday afternoon. 4th February 2009
England
 Falling spool clouts paper mill worker
A large paper spool fell and inflicted serious head and facial injuries to an overhead crane operator at Shotton Paper Mill, the 59-year old's condition at the Countess of Chester Hospital has moved from critical to stable. 4th February 2009
Scotland
Forth lifeboat comes first
The RNLI’ s South Queensferry lifeboat was launched 54 times into the River Forth in 2008, the highest number of call-outs in the country, rescuing 75 people in distress.
The boat is crewed by 24 volunteers whose busiest month was July, with 13 call-outs. RNLI in Scotland recorded 967 call-outs nationally last year, featuring 1,642 hours at sea. 3rd February 2009
USA
 Coast Guard probes Middle Bank  trawler wreck
The Massachusetts Coast Guard has been deploying a remote control vehicle to record the wreck of the Gloucester trawler, Patriot, which sank in Middle Bank on January 3rd.
The cutter Juniper was used to reach the trawler which is lying on its starboard side 18 miles east of Gloucester. A focus of the investigation has been a towline between a tug and a barge known to have been in the vicinity of the Patriot's last known position. 2nd February 2009
 
Northern Ireland
Child dead in farm tragedy
An 8 year-old girl has died in an accident on a farm at Drumquin, Co Tyrone.
The incident occurred on Thursday and involved an item of farm equipment. 28th February 2009
England
 Rail welder's death judged accidental
A jury in Windsor has delivered a verdict of accidental death in respect of a fatal accident at Ruscombe Junction, Reading, where a railway maintenance engineer was killed when struck by a First Great Western train travelling from Old Oak Common to Reading Depot.
On April 29th 2007, he was welding on the eastbound mainline when a lookout warned of an oncoming train, which the welder apparently perceived would pass on the westbound line, however, it switched on to a relief line, a high-speed crossover(up to 70 mph), and travelled towards him. Network Rail conducts maintenance work in "red zones" where trains can pass through, and in "green zones" through which trains would not pass while work was ongoing. A track maintenance engineer told the hearing that the latter situation was not possible in this instance due to time constraints. The issue of the application of train's horn was also raised during the hearing. 28th February 2009
Scotland
 Scottish construction worker seriously injured
A construction worker in his 40's sustained serious multiple injuries on Wednesday morning after being struck by a detached excavator bucket.
He was injured as he worked in an excavation on Aberdeen Grange Storage's site outside Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire. 27th February 2009
England
 Notts farming fatal accident
 It is reported that a farm worker aged 37 died in an accident at a farm near Ollerton, Notts, on the 13th of February. He was pumping slurry when he became caught in the power take-off of a tractor.  26th February 2009
Wales
Refuse worker jabs hand on syringe
A Welsh Council waste collection operative must await with apprehension the outcome of a battery of health tests he has undergone after sustaining  a puncture wound from a syringe found in a plastic bag as he collected cans for recycling.
The incident occurred to the Torfaen Council employee in Thornhill, Cwmbran, while on his round. 25th February 2009
England
Falling section killed worker
 An inquest jury returned a narrative verdict after listening to the facts surrounding the death in an industrial accident of a 49-year-old galvaniser at Arkinstall Galvanising Ltd of Dudley. A metal section suspended by hooks from an overhead crane fell, inflicting what proved to be fatal crush injuries. A safety latch for the hook was deemed to be inadequately effective.
24th February 2009
England
 Worcs recycling death
A man died last week in an industrial accident at the Dudley recycling premises of S&B Waste. Reports state he died of crush injuries at the scene. 23rd February 2009
England
 Lifting operation fatality
It is reported that a worker died on Thursday at MTU UK's premises in East Grinstead, Sussex.
The deceased sustained his injuries, according to one account, whilst a train engine was being lifted. 23rd February 2009
Northern Ireland
 Watch officer fell asleep on duty
On 29th June last year, the cargo vessel Antari ran aground 7 miles north of Larne, Co Antrim.
Investigation by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch established that the officer of the watch had fallen asleep shortly after taking over midnight watch and 3 hours later the grounding occurred.
Cumulative fatigue from the constant 6 hours on/off regime was deemed to have been a factor in the incident, a number of recommendations have emerged, including a review by the IMO of the processes and principles of safe manning to reflect the critical safety issue of fatigue. 
20th February 2009
England
 Cumbria farming fatality
A farm worker was fatally injured on Monday evening on a farm in Windermere. Accounts state he was crushed between hay bales and equipment. 19th February 2009
England
 Structural collapse seriously injures NE worker
A worker had a leg amputated on site yesterday after an amount of masonry fell on him at the former Centurion public house in Throckley, Newcastle. Both his legs were crushed and he sustained a head injury. He is described as having critical life-threatening injuries, the building was being demolished at the time.
18th February 2009
England
Unqualified forklift operator broke colleague's leg
Line Mark (UK) Ltd of Rossendale, Lancs, has been fined £6,665 with £2,053 costs for permitting an untrained and unqualified employee to operate a forklift truck at its Riverside Business Park premises on July last year.
Whilst materials were being moved around a warehouse, the operator reversed into a supervisor who sustained a fractured leg. 17th February 2009
England
 Helicopter pilot killed in crash
Civil aviation authorities are investigating the fatal accident on Saturday in which a pilot of a helicopter, registered with Multiflight at Leeds-Bradford Airport, which had just taken off from Sandtoft, North Lincs, lost his life when it plunged to the ground.
One account states that the pilot was on his first solo trip and had just dropped off an instructor minutes earlier at Sandtoft airstrip. 16th February 2009
England
Falling anchor killed Teesside worker
A falling anchor led to fatal chest injuries for a 45-year old worker at A & P Tees on Middlesbrough's Teesport Commerce Park on Dockside Road, rescuers had to use a crane to lift the anchor off the badly injured worker who died later in hospital in Middlesbrough. 13th February 2009
England
 Drink mix up tragedy
An error committed on the 7th December 2004 by a person with learning difficulties resulted in the poisoning of several people including a 60 year-old man who subsequently died. The person selected a container of dishwater fluid of similar appearance to the intended orange juice in an unlocked and unsupervised kitchen at East Sussex County Council's St Nicholas Centre in Lewes.
An inquest jury returned a narrative verdict. 12th February 2009
Scotland
Slips, trips campaign
The HSE is launching the 2nd phase of its Shattered Lives campaign to warn of the potentially devastating consequences of slips, trips and falls in the workplace.
HSE's Scottish Director commented: "The lives of workers and their families are shattered by the serious consequences of these types of accidents. Simple measures introduced by businesses can make a positive difference to safety in the workplace.
Fatalities and serious injuries arising from slips, trips and fall incidents cost British society an estimated £700 million last year.
The campaign is targeted at seven sectors where there is a prevalence of such injuries: food retail, catering and hospitality, food and drink manufacturing, building and plant maintenance, construction, healthcare and education, although the risks can occur in any workplace." 11th February 2009
England
 Guarding failure led to finger injury
The dangers of using machines without suitable safeguards were realised on 17th April 2007 at the premises of the Advance Casting Co Ltd of Redditch when an employee broke a finger and injured others as he attempted to check the tension of a chain whilst it was in motion. The equipment had been purchased second hand but the company had neglected to fit guards which it had identified as necessary.
Advance Casting was fined a total of £3,500 with costs of £3,000.
10th February 2009
England
Risk assessment inadequacy at care home
Four Seasons Homes No.4 Ltd has been fined a total of £66,000 with costs of £21,355 at Birmingham Crown Court in connection with an accident at its Ivy House Care Home, West Heath, Birmingham, in March 2007 in which a partially-paralysed elderly female resident left sitting unattended on the edge of her bed fell to the floor, being unable to stop herself. She died later from her injuries.
A care assistant, working alone, was transferring the 83-year old woman from a commode to a bed, using a hoist. The hoist was the wrong type and the assistant had not been trained to follow the correct procedures which required 2 persons. Additionally the room was too small for the hoist to be used effectively.
9th February 2009
Scotland
 Machine removed teenager's thumb
Lumgair Brothers, farmers at Gask Farm, near Forfar, have been fined £4,400 having breached safety legislation in the circumstances of an industrial accident in which a 16- year old employee lost his thumb in an insufficiently guarded potato grading machine. His glove and thumb were caught in an unguarded chain and sprocket drive in the March 2008 accident, the employer had failed to carry out a young person's risk assessment for the tasks the teenager had to carry out as an employee. 6th February 2009
England
Printing industry prosecution
The East Lancashire Box Company of Rishton, Lancashire, has been fined £12,000 with £3,451 costs in connection with an industrial accident in which a 16-year old employee's hand was dragged into a printing machine while he was cleaning it. His cloth became entangled in the top roller, dragging his hand into the machine, breaking a finger and causing crush injuries to two other fingers.
The company had no risk assessments or safe operating procedures for any of their machines. 5th February 2009
England
 Workman struck live cable
During August 2007, an employee of Trains (Rochdale) Ltd operating a mechanical breaker at a site in Nuttall Street, Rochdale, installing a post and rail fence around a car park, struck a buried live electrical cable, receiving burns to his left hand and arm.
Trains Rochdale had failed to provide plans of underground electrical cables and did not carry out scans of the area to locate any buried services. This put the company in breach of r.4(3) of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 for which it was fined £1,000 with £2,000 costs.
 4th February 2009
England
 Midlands worker pulled into power drill
A Midlands worker has sustained multiple fractures after being drawn into an industrial power drill at Romtech on the Watling Street Business Park, Cannock, when his sleeve snagged on machinery and pulled his arm in. 4th February 2009
England
Essex saw mill fined after worker’s finger amputated
Anglian Timber of Wix, 5 miles west of Harwich, was fined £5K with over £19K costs after pleading guilty to a breach of health and safety legislation involving an Arris Rail Ending machine in which a worker sustained a serious hand injury and had a finger amputated.
The Polish worker had opened the top of the machine which manufactures timber fence rails in an attempt to clear a blockage, during which he contacted moving cutters.
An HSE inspector observed: “It is essential that companies ensure the guarding systems on any rotating machinery are effective to prevent access to dangerous parts.
It is foreseeable that a production operative will try and clear a blockage in any machine particularly if it occurs on a regular basis. Where such access is required the guard should be interlocked with the machine to ensure the machinery is stopped before entry can be gained.” 3rd February 2009
England
 Moving load of steel killed driver
Coastal Container Line Limited, a subsidiary of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, has been fined £150,000 with costs of £26,732 at Liverpool Crown Court in connection with a September 2006 fatal accident at Seaforth docks in Bootle in which a driver died when his 25-tonne load of steel on his trailer moved forward and crushed him in his cab as he braked his vehicle at a roundabout.
An HSE inspector commented: "The investigation identified a number of failings including a lack of planning and inadequate training for drivers. A key factor was the practice not to secure the steel but to rely upon the weight of the steel and friction to hold the load in place while the vehicle was moving.
The transport of steel between the steel terminal and the quayside had been taking place in this manner for at least 8 months, putting not only the drivers at risk but also members of the public using the roads within the dock complex." 2nd February 2009