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Philippines
Fireworks factory explosion leaves 6 dead
A major explosion on Thursday at the Starmaker fireworks factory in Trece Martires, 30 miles south of Manila, killed at least 6 workers and has left 30 others injured, an adjacent factory was also on fire from the explosion. 30th January 2009.
Indonesia
2 engineers killed by helicopter blades
A Eurocopter Super Puma helicopter of Pelita Air became unstable on the ground after maintenance, killing 2 engineers who had been servicing it and were standing close by the craft on the apron at an Indonesian Air Force base near Jakarta. When the pilot switched on the ignition, the helicopter lurched sideways, both engineers were struck by the whirling blades. The pilot and another maintenance worker in the helicopter were both injured in the accident. 30th January 2009.
New Zealand
Worker killed operating shingle grader
The Department of Labour is now investigating a fatal accident at Powell Contractors in Renwick, in the northeast of South Island, where a man working on a grading machine at the shingle sorting plant became caught between a conveyor arm and the grader itself. 29th January 2009.
UAE
Roof collapses during concrete pour
The roof of a building under construction collapsed during a concrete pour yesterday in the Zayed Sports Centre area of Abu Dhabi, at least 9 workers were injured in the accident although none is believed to have been badly injured as the 2nd floor of the building came down. 29th January 2009.
Japan
Nurses given suspended jail sentences over child's heatstroke death
At the Kokura chambers of the Fukuoka District Court on Tuesday jail sentences of 1 year, suspended for 3 years, were delivered to 2 nursery nurses aged 27 and 29 in respect of a fatal accident involving a 2-year old boy in their charge 2 years ago.
In July 2007, the nursery had organised a trip to a local park in Kitakyushu, the 2-year old boy's presence in the minivan had been overlooked, and this failure to check that all the children were out left him shut in the van for almost 4 hours with temperatures soaring to 30 degrees. The child succumbed to heatstroke, the nurses were found guilty of professional negligence resulting in death. 28th January 2009.
Austria
Crane topples at Viennese site
A lorry-mounted crane became unstable during construction work on Tuesday afternoon at a site at the junction of Stolberggasse and Wimmergasse in the Margaretan district of Vienna, coming to rest against the roof of an adjacent house. Slushy conditions underfoot were speculated as contributing to the accident, no reports received of any injuries. 28th January 2009.
Iraq
 US helicopters collide in Tamim leaving 4 dead
The collision of 2 US military helicopters in the early hours of Monday 20 miles west of Kirkuk has left 4 military personnel dead, no further details of the accident were released. 27th January 2009.
Australia
 Worker killed during crane dismantling at Port Hedland
A 52-year old mine worker has been killed in an accident during the dismantling of a crane at the joint site of Fortescue Metals Group and McConnell Dowell at Anderson Point, Port Hedland. Preparations were being made in anticipation of Cyclone Dominic hitting Western Australia's Pilbara coast, it is thought that the worker was clouted by a swinging hookline. 27th January 2009.
Vietnam
40 drown in the Gianh in overloaded ferry accident
The sinking of an overloaded small ferry boat on the River Gianh in Quang Binh province, 300 miles south of Hanoi, saw at least 40 passengers drowned. The bodies of 27 women and 7 girls have been recovered, with a search ongoing through Sunday for 6 others missing. As many as 80 people may have been on the craft licensed to carry 12. 26th January 2009.
Japan
Overloading suspected in Ozai shipyard gangway accident
Investigators are studying the circumstances of a fatal accident at the Ozai shipyard of Minaminippon Shipbuilding on Friday to ascertain if professional negligence is involved. Around 40 people were on a gangway leading to a ship  when it fell, killing 2 workers and injuring 24 others. A hook connecting the gangway was retained by 4 bolts which sheared off simultaneously, initial speculation suggests that corrosion did not play a part, with the investigation now focussing on the weight-bearing capacity of the area where the gangway connected with the hook. 26th January 2009.
USA
Falling material kills worker in excavation at Boston site
A construction worker in a 4-metre deep excavation at the site of a new 31-storey office building being built by Moriarty Construction for Boston Properties at Russia Wharf, Boston, was killed in an accident on Friday after being struck by falling debris. 24th January 2009.
Belgium
Explosion at chemical plant
At least 6 people were injured, with 2 listed in serious condition, following a fire on Thursday morning at the Lanolines Stella chemical plant on rue des Garennes, Mouscron (Moeskroen), where products for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries are manufactured. 23rd January 2009.
Algeria
Maintenance worker electrocuted; CO problem with defective heaters
A maintenance worker attending to a faulty cable in stormy conditions has been electrocuted in Tsabit. The civil protection agency is expressing its concern over the number of households using defective heaters during the current bad weather, reporting that its has intervened in 180 cases where carbon monoxide build-up was threatening 400 lives.  23rd January 2009.
Morocco
Yacht sinks in rough seas off Kenitra, 6 missing
A sailing boat capsize off Kenitra has left 6 Europeans missing, a 19-year old German was rescued after it sank in rough seas sailing from Larache to Rabat. The missing persons are believed to be a German couple, an 11-year old Austrian girl and a Slovenian and a Danish crew member. 22nd January 2009.
France
Turkish tanker grounds off Marseille
Divers were inspecting the hull of the 84-metre long Turkish tanker Gunay 2 which ran aground on the small island of Planier shortly after sailing from Fos-sur-Mer for Livorno in Italy with a cargo of 3K tonnes of wheat and 10 crew. 22nd January 2009.
Canada
2 killed in elderly care home fire
Fire at the Muskoka Heights Retirement Home in Orillia, Ontario, has killed 2 of the 24 residents and left 11 others injured, 5 of whom are in intensive care. 21st January 2009.
Rep Ireland
Overloading, weather conditions and stress contributed to Connemara Airport crash
The Irish Air Accident Investigation Unit has concluded its study of the crash of a Cessna Caravan aircraft at Connemara Airport, Galway, in July 2007 in which 2 people died and 7 were injured. The aircraft, flying from the Aran Islands, encountered a major change of wind direction, attempting a landing in a tailwind and without being in contact with the airport. It also found that the altimeter was malfunctioning and the plane was exceeding its maximum landing weight and that these circumstances led to the pilot attempting a landing in stressed circumstances when a diversion to another airport may have been a better option. The aircraft came off the runway, unable to arrest its momentum and struck bushes and a mound of earth. 21st January 2009.
India
Explosion at Noida textile factory
A boiler explosion and subsequent fire at the Finesse International Design Ltd's textile factory in  block 6 of the Noida(New Okhla Industrial Development Authority) estate in southeast Delhi left 1 worker dead and 2 others injured with severe burns. Monday's accident occurred on the top floor of the factory with 80 workers on site, solvent escaped and ignited rapidly. 20th January 2009.
Brazil
Sao Paulo church roof collapse kills 9 parishioners
Around 50 rescuers were still on site on Monday at the Reborn in Christ church in the Cambuci suburb of Sao Paulo where the roof collapse on Sunday killed 9 worshippers and injured a further 106 of the 600 in attendance. It is believed that additional air conditioners were placed on the roof in recent times and that commensurate reinforcement was introduced to support the load. 20th January 2009.
Gabon
 N'Gari military exercise helicopter crashes, 8 dead
An AS 532 Cougar helicopter participating in the N'Gari joint military exercise off Gabon has crashed in the Atlantic with the loss of 7 lives and 1 person still unaccounted for. The helicopter, with 4 crew and 6 members of the 13th regiment of dragon parachutists based at Dieuze, had taken off from the military carrier La Foudre on Saturday, 30 miles off the Gabonese coast. Divers and rescue teams were at the site of the sunken helicopter on Sunday in 35 metres of water off the village of Nyogne. 19th January 2009.
Namibia
Concern over aviation safety shortcomings
The African Civil Aviation Agency has expressed its concerns over aspects of aviation safety in Namibia, namely staff shortages, failing mandatory recurrence training for air traffic controllers, underfunding and a lack of adequate radar systems. According to the Namibian Air Traffic Controllers' Association there are only 22 air traffic controllers, when they should number at least 60. 19th January 2009.
China
5 Inner Mongolia miners succumb to gas poisoning
A gas poisoning incident claimed the lives of 4 miners on Saturday who had been hospitalised following the accident at a mine of the Shenhua Group Baotou Mining Company in Erdos, Inner Mongolia, another miner had been pronounced dead at the shaft. 18th January 2009.
Atlantic
Stricken ocean rowing boat rescue in mid-Atlantic
Falmouth Maritime and Rescue Coordination Centre has been overseeing the search and rescue of the La Mondiale British ocean rowing boat and its 14 crew which was drifting in the Atlantic 280 miles northwest of Cape Verde Islands after its rudder was struck by an underwater object and sheared off. The crew was attempting a record-breaking east-west Atlantic crossing but a temporary rudder subsequently failed midweek in gale force conditions and 8-metre high waves, forcing an abandonment of the attempted crossing. The cargo ship Island Ranger, sailing from Brazil to Italy, was making for the stricken rowing boat, all crew members were reported fit and well. 18th January 2009.
Germany
Dutch light aircraft crash investigation
An investigation begins today into the crash of a Socata France TB20 single engine light aircraft which crashed in woodland as it was approaching Klausheide airfield in Nordhorn, Lower Saxony killing 3 Dutchmen who were returning from a business trip to Poland. The aircraft had been hired from a Dutch company, investigators yesterday spoke to an eye witness who was in the airfield's tower.  16th January 2009.
Spain
Plasterer killed in fall from scaffold
A construction worker was killed yesterday in a 15-metre fall from 3rd floor level scaffolding on Manuel Vicente Pastor Street in the Carrus district of Elche, he was engaged in plastering work and allegedly unsecured by safety harness. 16th January 2009.
USA
 Colorado rail worker's legs amputated
A 45-year old rail worker of Chemerton-Railway Products Inc has had both legs amputated following an accident during loading of rails on to wagons at  a base in east Pueblo county, Colorado. He was engaged in securing the rails on to the wagons when a section of track being placed on a wagon pinned his legs. 15th January 2009.
Cyprus
 Worker killed in 3m fall
A 46-year old East European worker has been killed in a 3-metre fall at a site in Paphos during the removal of an air conditioning unit. 15th January 2009.
France
Vendee care home resident in legionnaires' death
A resident of the Clairefontaine care home in Herbiers, Vendee, has died of legionnaires' disease following admission to hospital on 1st January. The source of the infection is yet unknown, residents have been asked not to use the showers. Nine other residents manifesting similar symptoms have been under medical supervision, 3 have been cleared, results are awaited in the case of the 6 others. 14th January 2009.
Japan
Boy,5, drowns in Sapporo spa
A 5-year old boy on a family visit to the Chateraise Gateaux Kingdom Spa in Sapporo was found drowned by an employee a few minutes after being reported missing. Around 80 visitors were in the 90-cm-deep water at the time. 14th January 2009.
Bulgaria
Worker killed by falling metal in Sevlievo
A falling metal section from a grain silo killed a 22-year old worker on Monday at Sevlievo, 90 miles northeast of Sofia, the metal was being cut when the section fell. 13th January 2009.
Spain
Fall in workplace deaths and accidents in Madrid
Madrid recorded 134 workplace deaths in 2008, down 12% from the 2007 figure of 152. All recorded accidents in the capital fell by 7.31%, with construction down 23% and industry down 11%. 13th January 2009.
Indonesia
Hundreds drowned in ferry sinking
Hundreds of lives have been lost following the sinking of the Terati Prima ferry carrying 250 passengers and 17 crew which sank 30 miles off Sulawesi, having left Pare-pare there for Samarinda on East Kalimantan, only 18 survivors have initially been reported as rescued. 12th January 2009.
Italy
3 killed in Bari gas explosion
It is speculated that gas caused the explosion in a house on via San Girolamo in Bari on Sunday which has killed 3 people and left 8 others hospitalised. Rescuers have managed to reach 4 others under the rubble, it was not known if any other residents are missing. 12th January 2009.
India
Triple fatality at airport terminal construction site
An unstable excavation claimed the lives of 3 workers at the site of the under-construction T3 terminal at Indira Ghandi International Airport on Friday when substantial mud ingress flooded the 7-metre deep excavation, 2 other workers are listed in critical condition.
Delhi International Airport Ltd is responsible for the airport’s renovation, with Larsen and Toubro working as construction contractors. 10th January 2009.
USA
Municipal worker killed at Brooklyn water treatment plant
A New York Department of Environmental Protection worker was killed on Friday in an accident at the Owl's Head Waste Water Treatment plant in Bayridge, Brooklyn, when he was struck by steel supports which fell from a temporary conveyor belt, another municipal worker was injured trying to rescue his colleague. 10th January 2009.
France
 Fire kills 4 at converted Breton farmhouse
Fire at a renovated farmhouse in Auves-le-Hamon, southwest of Le Mans, has claimed the lives of 4 people with another person unaccounted for, the entire first floor of the property has been destroyed. 9th January 2009.
Canada
 $80K fine for Ontario maintenance worker's death
A breach of the Health and Safety Act has led to an $80K(£47,337) fine for Dana Canada Corporation who were found guilty of failing to ensure a safe workplace in respect of a fatal accident involving a maintenance worker 2 years ago at its Thorold plant, 35 miles south of Toronto.
In February 2006, the worker was under machinery which cuts sheets of metal and was checking blade clearances when a section above him broke away and fell 15cm, striking him on the head. 9th January 2009.
USA
Transport fatality at Kentucky Distribution Centre
A transport accident has claimed the life of a lorry driver at the Kentucky Distribution Centre operated by Transervice of Lake Success at Middletown, east of Louisville. The veteran driver of Summit Truck Lines was in the process of attaching a trailer to her cab when she was struck by another lorry. 8th January 2009.
Brazil
Girl survives 5-day fall into disused well
A young girl who fell into a dry well on New Year‘s Day at a ranch in Ariquemes, Roraima, has been rescued in a dehydrated condition having lost 3Kg of weight, with only bruises and insect bites to be treated. Initially it was feared that she had been swept away in a river. 8th January 2009.
Albania
Worker killed in explosion at ammunition disposal plant
A female worker at the Polican ammunition disposal plant, 60 miles south of Tirana, has been killed in an explosion there. A team of 6 workers was dismantling fuses of 57mm shells and some of the old casings were put on a fire for warmth when the explosion occurred and the woman was struck on the head by flying material. 7th January 2009.
Southern Ocean
Race yachtsman rescued from upturned boat
A sailor participating in the VendeeGlobe global yacht race was successfully rescued by a fellow sailor after his yacht, the VM Materiaux, overturned and left him trapped in the bow of the boat. His distress signal was dispatched from 200 miles west of Cape Horn in the early hours of Tuesday and Chilean naval divers and a helicopter were being scrambled to join the rescue. An oil tanker had moved close to the upturned yacht but rough seas prevented it lowering a boat. The trapped yachtsman eventually emerged in his survival suit and was plucked from the water by his fellow racer whose own yacht was damaged in the rescue and must now limp to the nearest port, probably making for the Beagle Channel.  7th January 2009.
USA
Louisiana helicopter crash kills 8 oil workers
No initial speculation has been made as to the cause of the helicopter crash 75 miles southwest of New Orleans which saw 8 people killed when a flight of Petroleum Helicopters Inc of Lafayette crashed in marshland in the Terrebonne district of Louisiana while transporting oil workers. 6th January 2009.
India
Arrests made following 23 hooch deaths
The death tally in the illicit hooch incident in southwest Kolkata (Calcutta) has risen to 23, police worked throughout Sunday night raiding and dismantling premises in the Khidirpore dock area of the city, notably in the Bibi Halt and Hooghly Basti areas where most of the victims died. A number of brewers have been arrested, last May 180 people died in similar incidents in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. 6th January 2009.
Nepal
35 feared drowned in Sunsari ferry sinking
A ferry sank on the Koshi river in Sunsari, 150 miles southeast of Kathmandu, with more than 35 people missing. It is believed that it was overloaded with as many as 50 on board, of whom 14 have been rescued. 5th January 2009.
Canada
Falling ice may have killed Alberta worker
It is speculated that a large section of falling ice killed a worker at the hydro processing upgrader of Syncrude at Mildred Lake, 25 miles north of Fort McMurray, the worker was found in an unconscious condition hanging from a ladder at the large bitumen upgrader and died later in hospital at Fort McMurray. 4th January 2009.
Austria
Romanian freighter grounded in Danube
Emergency repair work was undertaken with divers working in freezing conditions through Friday night after a Romanian freighter laden with 800 tonnes of steel grounded in the Danube near Melk, water was pumped out of the sinking boat which had a 50-cm long breach in its hull. 4th January 2009..

 

  
France
Tanker explodes at Total’s Dunkirk refinery
A tanker lorry exploded in a maintenance zone at the Total refinery at Fort-Merdyck (nord) on the outskirts of Dunkirk on Thursday which saw 1 person killed and 6 others injured, the vehicle was not one of Total’s fleet. 30th January 2009
Canada
Transport fatality at Toronto site
A Toronto worker has been killed in an accident at premises on Markham Road and Finch Avenue East where he was struck by a reversing lorry and pinned against a building in the loading bay. 29th January 2009
USA
Unsecured roofer killed at New York site
A New York roofer has been killed in a fall from a scaffold at a 3-storey commercial building in Washingtonville where he slipped and fell, 3 roofers were working there at the time. 28th January 2009
Guyana
Possible find of sunken  gold ex WW2
The American Sub Sea Research Company may have discovered a cargo of an estimated £2,600m in gold(10 tons), platinum(70 tons) and diamonds which was lost when a British freighter sailing from Europe to New York was sunk by a torpedo in June 1942 with the loss of 3 crew lives. The alleged treasure lies in 250 metres of water 40 miles off the Guyanan coast, the cargo ship had first called in at a South American port prior to sailing on to New York to deposit the goods with the US Treasury as tender in the Land-Lease scheme. Certainly Britain and Russia would have claims on the goods, others too as international lawyers sharpen their pencils. Meanwhile, a salvage vessel is expected to sail from Louisiana next week. 28th January 2009
South Africa
 Above ground accident at Anglo Platinum's Paardekraal shaft 2
The Department of Minerals & Energy issued a Section 54 work suspension order at Anglo Platinum's mine near Rustenburg following a fatal accident involving a worker on the surface at the Paardekraal shaft 2. 27th January 2009
France
 Scaffold collapse on Breton site
A scaffolding collapse on Monday morning on a site in Conquet saw 2 workers fall 12 metres, both were taken to the Cavale-Blanche Hospital in Brest, 1 of them left the site unconscious. 27th January 2009
Spain
4 children killed in Catalan sports centre collapse
The partial collapse of a sports centre in Sant Boi de Llobregat near Barcelona killed 4 children aged 9-12 who had been participating in a baseball training session which was moved indoors on account of high winds. The collapse buried 2 adults and 11 children, locally winds were gusting to 100mph. 26th January 2009
Turkey
Trabzon mountaineering club members killed in avalanche
Rescuers in northeast Turkey were searching on Sunday for 6 or 7 members of a Trabzon mountaineering club buried under an avalanche in the Ziguna mountains in Gumushane province, 6 members of the club died in the accident, 4 were rescued. 26th January 2009
Philippines
Worker crushed by heavy steel at Hanjin shipyard
The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority has suspended work at the Hanjin Assembly Area of the shipyard in Zambales following a fatal accident on Friday which killed a worker of Redondo I-tech Corporation and injured another. An 850-Kg steel roller section was being positioned when a chain holding it sheared. 24th January 2009
Canada
Painter killed in ladder fall at Ontario cement works
An unstable ladder has led to the death of a painter at Bravo Cement on Kew Drive, Windsor, where he was atop the ladder painting steel racking. When the instability developed, he reached out to the racking which was bearing a load of almost 2 tonnes and this crashed down on top of him. 23rd January 2009
Malta
Unstable crane accident in Sliema
A crane became unstable and overturned on Thursday at a site in St Francis Street, Sliema, fortunately no one was injured. Initial speculation suggests it was inadequately anchored, with one of its wheels resting on a manhole cover which collapsed. 23rd January 2009
Canada
Transport fatality at Niagara Falls steel plant
A 54-year old worker has died after being struck by a steel-laden vehicle of Triple M Metal LP at the MMFX Steel of Canada Inc plant on Centre Street, Niagara Falls, the Ontario Ministry of Labour is now investigating this accident. 22nd January 2009
USA
Worker rescued from coal pile at New Jersey generating station
A New Jersey bulldozer driver had a fortunate escape yesterday after falling into a depression atop a pile of coal at the PSE &G Generating Station on Lamberton Road, Hamilton, he was safely extricated from the mass of coal after 90 minutes with only minor injuries. 22nd January 2009
India
Tree canopy sweeps travellers off roof of Saryu Express
At least 3 people died and a further 150 were injured after being swept off the roof of the Saryu Express train by tree canopy when it was travelling between Allahabad and Faizabad late on Monday, many of the injured were young people travelling on the roof of the train to an army recruitment fair in Faizabad. Travellers on train roofs is a commonplace sight in India, but this was one of the more serious incidents. 21st January 2009
Malta
Worker killed in 3-storey fall
A construction worker was killed shortly after a site opened for work on Monday on Bir ir-Riebu Street in Rabat where he fell through 3 storeys. 20th January 2009
Canada
Machine crush accident at Alberta timber yard
A 30-year old worker was killed yesterday at Alberta Plywood in Slave Lake during the unloading of material from a stacking unit, sustaining fatal crush injuries in a machine accident. 20th January 2009
New Zealand
Machine fatality at Taranaki plant
A dairy plant worker was killed at the weekend in a machine accident at the Fonterra factory in Whareroa, Taranaki, he sustained fatal head and chest injuries while operating hydraulic press machinery used to load pellets. 19th January 2009
USA
Detached part kills boy at truck show
A 6-year old boy was killed in an accident on Friday night at a monster truck show in the Tacoma Dome, Washington. It would appear that a vehicle part detached and went into the audience, striking the boy and an adult who escaped with injuries. 18th January 2009
Australia
Transport accident at Brisbane site
Queensland Workplace Health and Safety is investigating an accident at a site on Adelaide Street, Brisbane, in which a worker was critically injured when he fell and an excavator ran over his legs. 18th January 2009
Canada
Forklift death at Ontario car parts warehouse
A female employee of Ford of Canada has been killed in a forklift accident at the Bramalea Sales and Parts Distribution centre in Brampton, Ontario, when the forklift she was operating became unstable with its load of car parts. 16th January 2009
South Africa
Transport fatality at World Cup stadium
On Thursday morning a worker of civil engineers Martin & East was killed after being struck by a lorry at the Greenpoint Stadium site for next year's World Cup finals. 16th January 2009
Canada
Steel pipes fall on Vancouver female worker
A female worker died in a crush accident at Western Stevedoring on Brooksbank Avenue, north Vancouver, when a load of steel pipes became unsecure and fell on her lower body. 15th January 2009
USA
Falling tree kills Maine arborist
A 59-year old Maine arborist has been killed by a falling tree while working at premises on Hershey Hill Road, Auburn. 15th January 2009
Malta
Worker killed as glass falls from forklift
A delivery of glass panes being unloaded by a forklift became unstable and fell on a 37-year old worker, leading to fatal injuries at a warehouse on Mayor Vella Street in Zebbug on Tuesday. 14th January 2009
France
Arrest made after college lecturer stabbed
Police have arrested an 18-year old student in connection with an alleged knife attack on a teacher at the Pierre-et-Marie Curie college in Chateau-Gontier on Monday afternoon, the technical department teacher was allegedly stabbed 3 times in the back, an arrest was subsequently made in the college grounds. The teacher's condition in hospital in Angers was unknown. 13th January 2009
Bahrain
Arrests follow death from falling timber at site
The Bahrain Labour Ministry reports that 4 arrests have been made in connection with a fatal accident at a site on Monday after a timber plank fell from the 20th storey of a building under construction and killed a 42-year old worker on the ground, the allegations relate to health and safety issues. 13th January 2009
South Africa
Worker killed in fall at Unisa site
A construction worker died in a 5-metre fall in an accident at the weekend during the removal of concrete structures at the entrance to the Unisa university building. 12th January 2009
Russia
Helicopter crash kills 8 in Altai
An Mi-8 helicopter on a commercial flight from Biysk in the Altai Mountains to Kosh-Agach has crashed with the loss of 8 lives, 3 survivors are listed in critical condition in hospital in Aktash. 12th January 2009
Argentina
Aconcagua claims 4 lives in a week
Andean mountain rescue teams successfully reached 3 European climbers who became disorientated on their descent from Mt Aconcagua, a female climber in the party was killed in a fall into an abyss and the party's Argentinian guide also died (earlier reports indicated he had survived). The party had set out on Tuesday and encountered difficulties tackling the Glacier de los Polacos.
The mountain has claimed 4 lives already this month, a German and a British climber have also died on it. 12th January 2009
USA
Worker’s hand severed at Utah woodworks
A 21-year old worker has lost a hand while operating a precision router machine at Mountain Crest Woodworks in Marriott-Slaterville, 35 miles north of Salt Lake City, having apparently lost his balance while working at the machine. 10th January 2009
New Zealand
Falling ice kills glacier visitors
A fall of hundreds of tonnes of ice at the Fox Glacier, northwest of Mount Cook, has killed 2 visitors who had gone beyond the safety barriers for a close look at the glacier, staff from Fox Glacier Guiding are assisting with the rescue, with one of the victims buried deep under the fallen ice. The accident has again raised the issue of visitors' observance of safety barriers at dangerous sites. 9th January 2009
Russia
Sailor killed in naval vessel engine room fire
A 23-year old Russian sailor has died of carbon monoxide poisoning following an engine room fire on board the Admiral Kuznetzov aircraft carrier while on a training exercise in the Mediterranean this week. 8th January 2009
Serbia
Improvised stove blazed out of control
Belgrade fire crews attended a fire at the Roma community under the city‘s Gazela Bridge when an improvised cooking stove blazed out of control and burned down the makeshift accommodation, no injuries have been reported. 8th January 2009
Nigeria
13 killed in generator CO incident
An incident involving a generator in domestic premises in Imo state, southeast Nigeria, has killed 13 family members by carbon monoxide poisoning, according to reports from the Ohaji-Egbema hospital near Owerri. 7th January 2009
Bangladesh
Boiler explosion kills 2 at Jamalpur rice mill
A boiler has exploded at the Zonaki Rice Mill in Jamalpur, killing a worker and the 12-year old daughter of the mill owner who was in the vicinity of the explosion. 7th January 2009
Rep Ireland
Falling pallets kill Waterford chicken factory worker
HSA is investigating a fatal accident on Monday morning in which a 23-year old Polish worker was killed by falling pallets at the Cappoquin Poultry factory in county Waterford. 6th January 2009
Southern Ocean
Man overboard incident on Japanese whaler
A 30-year old marine engineer has drowned in a man overboard accident in the Southern Ocean, having fallen from the whale spotter ship Kyoshin Maru No 2. Local water temperature of 0ºC and a 4-metre swell would have given a maximum survival time of 1 hour. The Kyodo Senpaku Kaisha shipping company reported that an on-board sea search was undertaken by the whaler, the distance out in the Southern Ocean precluded an aerial search by the New Zealand Maritime Rescue Co-Ordination Centre. 6th January 2009
Norway
Company fined over North Sea anchor handling sinking
In April 2007, 8 crew members of the Bourbon Dolphin drowned when it sank during routine anchor handling work at a semi-submersible rig in the North Sea.
On Monday, the Norwegian government levied a NKr 5m(£489,520) fine against Bourbon Offshore Norway for its part in the accident, it being alleged that the vessel was inadequately equipped for its anchor handling functions with no manuals for its principal activities on board and failing to comply with the International Safety Management Code. It was also alleged that the skipper, who had joined the vessel in the Shetland Isles a fortnight earlier,  had only a 90-minute handover despite having no previous experience of the anchor handler. The company can appeal the government’s fine by the end of the week. 6th January 2009
France
CO incident in church
A carbon monoxide poisoning incident occurred at the weekend in a church in Carrieres-sous-Poissy, 15 miles northwest of Versailles, which affected 34 people including 4 children, 29 of those present were hospitalised in Poissy, Mautes-la-Lolie and Mureaux. France records around 6K CO incidents annually, resulting in 300 deaths. 5th January 2009
USA
Worker killed under overturning tractor
A 26-year old Idaho agricultural worker has died in a tractor accident at Deruyter dairy farm near Marsing, west of Boise, after becoming pinned under an overturned hay loader which he was pulling, it is thought that the transport became unstable when he may have been undertaking a turning manoeuvre too quickly. 4th January 2009
 
England
Schoolboy’s leg impaled during work experience at farm
HSE is set to investigate an impalement accident during a work experience activity at Field House Farm, Gretham, Hartlepool, where a 15-year old schoolboy of Brierton School, Hartlepool, was baling hay on the farm when his knee became impaled on a post, paramedics were on the scene 20 minutes later. The post had protruded significantly through his knee and he was transferred to hospital in Stockton. 30th January 2009
USA
Utility worker drowned on Indiana site
An employee of Environmental Contractors Inc has apparently drowned at a site on Carroll Street in Wabash, Indiana, while working on a water main during subcontract work for the Indiana American Water Company. Two large excavations had been created to access a 5-cm water main. The supply had been cut off and the victim was working in 1 of the excavations to remove a section of pipe when water ingress occurred, rapidly filling the excavation. 29th January 2009
Wales
Grounds worker injury referred to crown court for sentence
Swansea Magistrates' Court has referred the Randalls Groundworks prosecution to the Crown Court for sentencing after it was found guilty of breaching health and safety law in respect of an employee's injury at a housing site in Pontarddulais, north of Swansea.
A worker was operating a road roller which overturned when subsidence occurred on an earth embankment there. HSE prosecution established that the grounds worker was not trained to operate the roller and the excavation into which it fell was not demarcated by barriers. 29th January 2009
USA
Arboreal fatality at New Hampshire country club
An employee of Sky Meadow Country Club, Nashua, New Hampshire, has died in an accident during arboreal work when a tree he was cutting fell across his upper body. 28th January 2009
England
Director jailed over roofer's death
The 48-year old managing director of IC Roofing Ltd was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and the company was fined £10K, having been found guilty of the manslaughter of an employee in an accident in 2005 (see Manslaughter Conviction, 26th January 2009).
The company was also fined £20K in costs and the director disqualified from directorship of a company for 3 years. 28th January 2009
Austria
 Helicopter crashes in Carinthia
A helicopter pilot was killed on Monday when his 4-seater craft came down in woodland at St Veit an der Glan where Austro Control lost it from radar during a solo flight from St Polten to Klagenfurt. Visibility was good locally, although earlier reports stated otherwise. 27th January 2009
England
 Council fined over boy(4)'s water slipway accident
At Manchester Crown Court a fine of £25K plus £23,565 costs was levied against Tameside Council who pleaded guilty to failing to carry out a proper risk assessment of a water channel involved in a serious accident to a 4-year old boy. The boy was swept 24 metres down the slipway at Stamford Park, Ashton under Lyne, and sustained serious stomach injuries from debris at the bottom.
He was 1 of a party of 20 children aged 4-11 from Clockwork Day  Nursery of Ashton under Lyne who were playing allegedly unsupervised. In a previous hearing at Trafford Magistrates' Court the nursery lost its appeal against a £21K fine and costs of £6,799.
The Council has since erected a 1.8 -metre fence around the perimeter of the slipway which the boy had accessed through shrubbery. 27th January 2009
Philippines
Supervisor killed by forklift at Hanjin shipyard
The 2nd fatal accident in 3 days was recorded at the Hanjin Heavy Industries Construction shipyard on Sunday when a South Korean supervisor was struck by a forklift truck while doing his rounds in the Assembly area at the shipyard in Subic Bay, 50 miles south of Manila. 26th January 2009
Argentina
Allegation bus driver fell asleep in Santa Fe accident
A survivor of the weekend bus crash in Santa Fe which killed 5 people and left 15 others injured alleges that the driver was falling asleep prior to the collision with a lorry at the junction of highway AO12 and  provincial route 14 in Pinero, 12 miles southeast of Rosario. 26th January 2009
Indonesia
Tiger kills farmer at Sumatran rubber plantation
A 54-year old farmer was killed on Saturday morning by a Sumatran tiger at a rubber plantation in Permantang Raman village in Muara Jambi. Local conservation officials deployed carbide bombs to repel the tiger back into the forest, the incidence of such a tiger attack on humans is uncommon. 26th January 2009
England
Improvised system led to death at Cheshire dye works
Townley Dyestuffs Ltd of Tarporley, Cheshire, has been fined £10K plus £6,963 in costs in respect of a fatal crush accident at its base on the Manway Business Park in August 2005. The company pleaded guilty to failing as an employer to providing a safe workplace after a 1.1-tonne container of dye came off the front forks of a forklift truck, killing a worker who had been emptying other containers in this manner prior to the accident. “The container had a specialist mechanism for emptying it, but an improvised method was  used when the accident happened,” observed an HSE inspector. 23rd January 2009
Japan
Fire at US air base in Tokyo
Tokyo fire crews took 5 hours to control a blaze at the US Yokota Air Base in west Tokyo on Tuesday evening. The fire started in early evening in a single-storey block housing the accounts section, no injuries were reported at the base which accommodates 10K people. 22nd January 2009
Germany
Festive tree explosion in mid-January kills 3 people
Several weeks after Christmas an exploding festive tree has killed 3 people in Friedberg, east of Augsburg, the tree was still decorated with lights and candles which ignited, the victims were a man of 63 and women aged 63 and 87, one other person managed to exit the house in time. 21st January 2009
England
Patient killed in fall from Midlands hospital window
A 72-year old male patient was killed in a fall from a window of the intermediate assessment unit on the first floor at Walsall Manor Hospital early on Monday morning. 20th January 2009
Canada
Vehicle falls from crane at Ontario welding shop, 2 killed
A cable lifting a vehicle and snowplough attachment by crane failed at the So Do It welding unit on Kenmore Road, south of Hamilton, falling on 2 workmen hired by the unit to replace the vehicle engine, both died from injuries inflicted by the falling mass. 20th January 2009
Russia
 Tajik migrants died in fire at Moscow  car park site
Investigators have been studying the circumstances of the fire last week at an underground car park construction site on Privolnaya Street, Moscow, where 7 Tajik migrant workers died in a fire. As many as 100 people were living there in makeshift accommodation subdivided into 20 rooms with electric heaters and other combustible items. 19th January 2009
Malaysia
DOSH strives for better accident figures
The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) recorded 1,303 workplace deaths and 63,600 workplace accidents last year, citing employers' failure to have an effective safety and health management system and workers' failure to follow established safety procedures in place.
Manufacturing accounted for the largest number of fatalities (188), Malaysia has a target of reducing to 3 accidents per 1,000 workers by 2020. 18th January 2009
Norway
Murmansk trawler sank in west Barents Sea
The skipper of the trawler Topaz-A of the Murmansk trawler fleet has drowned following the sinking of the boat off Bear Island (Bjornoya) in the west of the Barents Sea between Spitzbergen and the North Cape. The other 18 crew members were all rescued, 2 being hospitalised in Longyearbyen on Svalbard, the rest taken to Hammarby in Norway. 16th January 2009
USA
Worker killed at New Mexico power plant
A fatal accident occurred at the Four Corners Power plant of the Arizona Public Service Company involving a 56-year old employee who was operating environmental control equipment removing pollution from the facility's exhaust gases, the 2K-megawatt coal-fired plant in Fruitland, northwest New Mexico, serves the Navajo reservation. 16th January 2009
Denmark
Roof collapses at ice rink site
A roof collapsed at a sports centre under construction in Rodovre on Wednesday, trapping a number of workers under the rubble.  A section of steel fell from a crane and struck supporting walls, causing the roof to collapse, a 2-hour search using dogs located the missing workers, at least 1 of whom had a broken leg. 15th January 2009
Guinea-Bissau
Government bans pirogue canoe ferries
In the wake of 2 accidents this week involving canoe-type pirogues in which more than 70 people have drowned, the government has banned their use as ferries, most typically used to access around 100 off-shore islands on the Atlantic coast. High winds rather than overloading is cited as the cause of the accident near Biomba on the River Geba where 12 drowned as a pirogue was crossing to Pecixe island. 15th January 2009
England
Near electrocution during rail carriage maintenance
At Birmingham Crown Court Maintrain Ltd, taken over by National Express in December 2007, have been fined £75K plus £8,584 in costs in respect of an electrical accident 2 years ago at the Handsworth maintenance depot.
In February 2007, a worker received burns and an electric shock when he removed an axle cover while the 25Kv system was still live, fortunately the current became diffused through the carriage, preventing  a fatal accident. 14th January 2009
USA
 Engineer electrocuted on chemical tanker
The Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit in Galveston, Texas, reported the electrocution of a marine engineer on the Sea River Wilmington vessel which was anchored 12 miles off Galveston. Initial speculation suggests that the engineer was in contact with a live source during a circuit breaker test on the chemical tanker owned by Sea River Maritime, a subsidiary of ExxonMobil. 14th January 2009
South Africa
Death investigation at platinum mine
A Section 54 regulation order was issued to suspend work in a shaft at the Impala Platinum mine in Rustenburg following a fatal accident there in which a mine worker died when a ventilation pipe being moved by a number of workers fell on him. 13th January 2009
England
Forklift crushes Lancs warehouseman's foot
A Lancashire warehouse worker was hospitalised on Monday in an accident at B&M Retail on the Sycamore Industrial Estate on Blackpool's South Shore where the worker's foot was crushed by a forklift truck. 13th January 2009
India
Landslide kills youth at illegal quarry
Charges of negligence and breach of the Assam government's Child Labour Act have been levied against a quarrying contractor at an illegal stone quarry on the Baleswar riverbed in Cachar where a 13-year old youth died in a landslide. 12th January 2009
England
Industrial accident in Lancashire
It is reported that a man has died following an industrial accident at the premises of Autoy in the Deepdale area of Preston. The accident involved machinery and occurred on Saturday. 12th January 2009
USA
New York signaller killed by train
Investigation is ongoing into the weekend death of a signal maintainer of Metro-North Railroad who was killed by a New-Haven-bound train while at work near his Pike Tower base, Rye station. 12th January 2009
England
Worker killed on Newcastle airport apron
HSE is investigating a fatal accident in which a 50-year old worker of Newcastle International Airport was killed in an accident while working on the airport‘s apron, it would appear that no aircraft was involved in the accident. 10th January 2009
USA
Unstable machine fatality in Louisiana
A worker has died in a crush accident at Sattler Supply in Eunice, Louisiana, where the 18-year old worker was struck by an 800-lb engine which fell from a machine.  9th January 2009
South Africa
Fatal fall at gas refinery
A worker has died in a fall at the Mossel Bay refinery of Petro SA during the cleaning of a vessel at the refinery which converts gas to liquid. 8th January 2009
France
Boy falls through school playground roof cover
A 12-year old boy was hospitalised in Vannes this week after falling through a roof at the Armorique school in the town, the fragile roofing over the playground failed to bear his weight when he and 2 others climbed on to it. 8th January 2009
Canada
Cylinder explosion in kitchen at remote BC work camp
The explosion of a propane gas cylinder in a kitchen on a work camp at Stave Lake hydroelectric reservoir, 40 miles east of Vancouver, has hospitalised 3 workers in Abbotsford with a range of burns injuries and fractures. WorkSafe BC was aiming to have a representative at the camp yesterday which is only accessible by boat from Rocky Point, heavy snow locally has made travelling conditions difficult. 7th January 2009
USA
Machine accident at North Carolina plant
A worker was killed in an accident on Tuesday morning at the CMEX plant in north Charlotte, North Carolina, after becoming trapped under machinery used in stacking cinder blocks. 7th January 2009
Brazil
Valve blow-out death on Petrobras platform
Petrobras has announced a suspension of work at a platform in the Jubarte oilfield in Espirito Santo state where a worker was killed and 2 others were injured on Monday in a high pressure issue of oil and water when a valve on the platform failed. 6th January 2009
Ukraine
8 injured in Donetsk mine gas explosion
Surgery was undertaken on Monday on 4 seriously injured miners who were caught in a gas explosion at the Dzerzhinsky mine in the Donetsk, 8 miners in total were injured in the accident 1,150 metres underground at the mine owned by Dzershinskugol who have suspended all work there pending investigation. 6th January 2009
China
Alleged mining accident prompts investigation in north China
On Sunday, the Shuozhou Municipal Work Safety Board announced that it has launched an investigation into an alleged flooding accident last month at the Xinzhuang Coal Mine in Shanyin, Shanxi, in which 4 deaths occurred. It is alleged that the company failed to report the accident and even transferred corpses from the location. 5th January 2009
Germany
5 WW2 bombs found on Osnabruck site
Two hospitals are to be evacuated of patients on Sunday as the authorities in Osnabruck handle the biggest detonation of live WW2 ordnance detected by aerial survey in the Westerstadt and Westerberg districts of the city. 4th January 2009
England
Phosphorus release at Midlands chemical plant
An investigation is underway into a fire and release of phosphorus at the Rhodia chemical plant in Oldbury,  no injuries were reported. 4th January 2009
 
England
 Jury determines death by misadventure
A coroner's court jury has determined a death by misadventure verdict after considering the facts of an industrial accident at Sims Metal Management's dockside premises in Newport, Gwent, in June 2007 in which a forklift truck became unstable and toppled, killing the operator.
CCTV footage revealed the truck operator to be driving in an unsafe manner. The unloaded truck overturned as it cornered with the clamps elevated. 
30th January 2009
England
 Fatality at diving venue
A diver in his 30's has died at the Stoney Cove diving venue in Leicestershire. The diver was reported missing on Saturday afternoon, he was recovered but later confirmed dead in hospital. 29th January 2009
England
 Maintenance worker succumbs to gases
 A highway maintenance worker died in his van last Friday apparently overcome by generator exhaust gases. The incident occurred in a Siemens vehicle parked in Greenford, London. 28th January 2009
England
 Worker killed at Shropshire bus station
It is reported that a man in his 30's has been killed in an accident involving a bus.
The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon at the premises in Salop Road, Oswestry, one account states the mechanic was trapped under a bus. 27th January 2009
England
 Manslaughter conviction
 A jury has found the owner of a roofing company guilty of the manslaughter of  an employee who fell through the fragile surface of a factory in Uckfield in November 2005. The deceased man was working without the benefit of adequate training or fall prevention/protection safety measures.
The company was charged with breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which was admitted, sentencing takes place later this month. 26th January 2009
UK
 Scaffold fall; farming accident
A man was seriously injured in a fall at a scaffolding hoist on Friday morning at the Dunblane Hydro hotel in Perthshire.
A farm worker was badly injured in an accident this week on a farm in Tong, Yorkshire. It is reported that he became caught up in slurry spreading equipment and had to be freed by emergency services.
24th January 2009
England
 Pontoon incident at Felixstowe
On 27th November last year, a tug captain fell backwards whilst attempting to board the 16-metre vessel Haven Harrier from Felixstowe Landguard pontoon. His leg became trapped between the vessel and the pontoon causing an injury that led to his leg being amputated. The bow had pitched up, ridden over the fender, and then pitched down again, trapping the man’s lower leg.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch reports that risk assessments for use of the pontoon have since been revised and operational instructions now require pilot boats to reduce speed well in advance of approaching the pontoon, vessels to be parallel alongside and secured with at least one line before boarding or disembarkation begins, and tyre fenders not to be used as steps during boarding or disembarkation. 23rd January 2009
England
Asbestos training failure
Scriven Electrical Contractors Ltd of West Bromwich has been fined £3,000 with £2,757 costs for breaching r.10(1)(a) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 having been deemed to have failed to ensure that adequate information, instruction and training was given to its employees regarding the risks from asbestos-containing materials. The inadequacy came to light after Scriven installed 3 heat detectors and associated cabling in a commercial sized kitchen and boiler room of premises in Smethwick. Although the ceiling tiles contained 5-50% brown asbestos no asbestos awareness training was given prior to commencement of the work, despite a legal requirement. 22nd January 2009
Scotland
 Incident at ice rink
 A woman aged 23 has died in an incident at Lockerbie Ice Rink. She died at the scene on Sunday afternoon as skating on the rink was in progress, one account states she fell on the ice.
21st January 2009
Scotland
 Driver stabbed with syringe
A bus driver has been assaulted with a syringe as he drove his vehicle in Paisley, Renfrewshire. His assailant demanded money and stabbed his victim in the arm when thwarted. He fled the scene and disappeared in the Ferguslie area of the town, the driver must undergo 6 months of tests and procedures before being given a clean bill of health. 20th January 2009
Scotland
Lift shaft fall
Tricon Construction Ltd of Dundee has been fined £10,000 at Dundee Sheriff Court over an incident in which 2 men were badly injured whilst working to cap a lift shaft. The pair were manoeuvring concrete lintels using scaffold as a means of access, but this proved unstable and tipped when they stood on it, causing them to fall down the outside of the lift shaft, one of them falling 10m.
The access scaffold had not been correctly erected and there was a gap of between 0.5 and 1.0 metres between the existing floor and the wall of the lift shaft. Tricon had breached S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. 19th January 2009
Scotland
Aberdeenshire paper mill accident
A machine operator in his 20’s lost part of an arm last Tuesday when it was drawn into a paper reeling equipment. The incident occurred at International Papers Inverurie Paper Mill. 18th January 2009
England
Banksman crushed against wall
A removals worker was crushed against a wall by a reversing 17t vehicle whilst he was guiding it towards him. Serious injury was only narrowly averted.
The accident occurred in Louth, Lincolnshire, on 30th June 2007, and HSE says removals and haulage businesses must ensure proper training and safe systems of work are in place to avoid such events.
Fox Group (Moving & Storage) Limited was fined £3,515 with £2,000 costs by Skegness Magistrates for breaching the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and r.9(1) of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998. 16th January 2009
England
Workman succumbs to injuries
It is reported that the workman who was injured on 2nd December 2008 in a London industrial accident died on the 25th of the month.
The man in his 20's was contracted for work with Birse Metro at Tottenham Court Road, while working with pile caps he received severe burns in an electrical explosion. 15th January 2009
England
Nursing home resident fell from 1st floor window
Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd of Darlington has been prosecuted and fined in connection with the death of an 82 year-old resident at its Brookfield Christian Care Home, Little Bury, Greater Leys, Oxford, on 18th June 2003. The deceased, who had dementia, left her bed, opened the window, climbed out and fell, unseen by staff.
Southern Cross had breached S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and r.3 (1)(b) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and was fined £40,000 for each count plus £120,000 costs. 14th January 2009
England
Man with breaker struck a live 132Kv electrical cable
A London Borough and a contractor have been fined for safety failures that permitted the operator of a mechanical concrete breaker to strike a live electrical cable in Tower Hamlets in October 2005 as he installed a lighting standard.
The man had not been provided with service plans by either the local authority, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets or T Cartledge Ltd, his employer. He received severe burns in the incident.
The council was fined £15,000 with costs of £39,089, T Cartledge Ltd of Chelmsford, Essex, was fined £18,000 with costs of £14,555. Both had failed to adequately supervise the work. 13th January 2009
Scotland
Delivery driver electrocuted
The operator of equipment being used to deliver a container has been electrocuted when it came into contact with overhead cables.
The man in his 20’s was delivering the load to a farm near Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire, on Thursday evening. 12th January 2009
England
Reversing lorry killed teenager
Associated Waste Management Ltd of Brighouse, West Yorkshire, has been fined £75,000 with costs of £10,000 at Bradford Crown Court in connection with the death of an employee on 12th April 2007 who was working in the tipping area of the company's yard when he was hit by a reversing skip loader. The vehicle had no functioning visual aids, audible warning alarm or guidance.
An HSE official commented: "This incident was all the more tragic because it was avoidable. If the risks had been assessed, equipment  properly maintained and if appropriate safeguards been put in place it might never have happened. If work on the site had been properly planned to ensure separation between employees and manoeuvring vehicles, and the movement of vehicles had been properly supervised, this young worker may still be alive today".
9th January 2009
England
Patient dies after injuries
A patient undergoing treatment at the Christie Hospital in Manchester has died after being discovered outside at the bottom of a fire escape.
The male in his 70's was discovered by staff on Monday morning after being reported missing for 1 hour. 8th January 2009
England
Engineer injured in fall
A maintenance engineer has fallen and broken his leg at the University of Hertfordshire in Hatfield. One report states he fell 4m into a boiler room pit on Saturday evening.
7th January 2009
UK
Tyre handling causes back injury
The Health and Safety Executive is to stage a series of workshops with the help of the industry to advise on ways to reduce the costs of tyre manual handling injury.
The National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) and the British Tyre Manufacturers Association (BTMA) will run the 6 workshops about tyre handling during January to March 2009, the NTDA Director explains: "NTDA research shows that back injuries caused by lifting tyres incorrectly are responsible for a huge number of lost man-hours in our sector and we are delighted to be working with the HSE to highlight the dangers to the trade." 6th January 2009
England
 Council's wheelchair systems found wanting
Staffordshire County Council has been fined a total of £83,000 with costs of £21,000 at Stafford Crown Court in connection with an incident in which a 90-year old day care patient fell from the back of a vehicle operated by the Council. She sustained injuries from which she died a few days later.
The chair had defective brakes and no footrests which were lost several years ago yet, despite this, the wheelchair continued to be used daily to transport service users.
No daily or weekly checks were carried out on the wheelchair, combinations of tyre wear from several years' use, poor adjustment of brakes and lack of footrests all contributed to the incident. 4th January 2009