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USA
Contractor killed in Tennessee mine accident
A contract worker of Cowin and Company Inc of Alabama has died in an accident during the replacement of structural steelwork in the main shaft at the Immel Mine of East Tennessee Zinc Company in East Knox, Tennessee, it is believed that the fatal accident involved a fall, the Mine Safety & Health Administration has issued a stop- work order at the mine which had been closed for 5 years. 31st July 2007.

USA
Worker trapped 2 hours in Florida silo
A temporary worker had a fortunate escape yesterday after slipping waist-deep into a sand and rock silo at C & D Thin Pavers, Leesburg, 20 miles northwest of Orlando, the worker was cleaning the inside walls of the metal silo which converts rock into sand when he slipped and became trapped, rescuers used ropes and a safety harness to bring him out, he managed to walk away following the 2-hour ordeal. 31st July 2007.

Sweden
Legionnaires suspected on cruise ship
Six cruise ship passengers, 5 British, have been hospitalised in Stockholm from the Fred Olsen vessel Black Watch with suspected legionnaires' disease, the ship with 756 passengers is returning to Dover from a Baltic cruise. 30th July 2007.

France
Pilot training course fatality
A Jodel D112 light aircraft has crashed near le Cher airfield south of Vierzon, killing a pilot of the Ailes Vierzonnaises flying club undertaking training, an instructor was in radio contact from the ground. 29th July 2007.

USA
Nitrous oxide explosion kills 3 at Californian space rocket facility
Three workers were killed when nitrous oxide exploded during component testing on a new space tourism vehicle at the Mojave Air and Space Port in Mojave, California, 3 others are listed in critical condition from flying shrapnel wounds.
The nitrous oxide under pressure was flowing through an injector during testing of the propellant system for the Pioneering Rocket company at the Scaled Composites facility. 28th July 2007.

Syria
Ordnance explosion kills 15 at military school
Searing heat is speculated as the likeliest cause of a major explosion on Thursday at a military school in Musalmiya, 6 miles north of Aleppo, in which at least 15 people died, the establishment includes an ammunition stockpile and a tank range, locally temperatures have soared to c 50°C. 27th July 2007.


France
Tourist plane crash near Bordeaux kills 4
The crash of a light tourist aircraft shortly after take-off on Thursday from La Teste-de-Buch airfield southwest of Bordeaux killed all 4 occupants, investigation into the accident has begun. 27th July 2007.


France
Student party ill-equipped for Mont Blanc
French authorities have recovered the bodies of 4 climbers on the Bionassay crest of Mont Blanc, the victims are believed to be international students based in Grenoble, the party is alleged to have set out without a tent and unsuitably clothed, local temperatures dipped significantly in recent days. 26th July 2007.


Estonia
Harder line on drunk drivers
Estonia is set to introduce new legislation to tackle drunk driving, with a new limit of 0.15 promille blood/alcohol, at present in the Baltic republic only repeat offenders are taken to court.
Last weekend Estonian police encountered unacceptably high numbers of offenders during random checks, some requiring immediate medical attention for their level of intoxication. 26th July 2007.


USA
Alaska construction deaths
Two men have died following an industrial accident at the Rock Creek gold mine site near Nome in Alaska.
It is reported they fell 12m from a mobile elevating work platform as they attached cladding to a building.
NovaGold Resources Inc and the Federal Mine Safety Authority continue to investigate the weekend's accident. 25th July 2007.


Belgium
Confined space fatality in Antwerp port
A confined space incident has claimed the life of a 28-year old Turkish seaman following the unloading of a cargo of cyclohexane for BASF at the port of Antwerp.
It appears that, after the unloading, 2 crew members were checking the condition of the hold when they were overcome by vapours, a 3rd crewman managed to raise the alarm.
Both victims were rescued unconscious but revived by oxygen therapy. The 28-year old died later in Jan Palfijn hospital, his 41-year old colleague remains in critical condition in Stuivenburg hospital, Antwerp. 24th July 2007.


USA
Runaway military train derails in nw New York
Investigation is underway into the circumstances of a runaway military train which rolled for 8 miles down a gentle gradient yesterday from Fort Drum before colliding with a Conrail track maintenance vehicle and derailing near Watertown, northwest New York state, a propane gas tanker ignited and some local evacuation was necessary. 24th July 2007.


Romania
Train hits bus on level crossing
The collision of a bus and train on the Gura Ocnitei level crossing on the stretch of line between Ploiesti and Targoviste in southern Romania killed 8 people yesterday, the coach was part of a convoy of vehicles returning from a wedding. 23rd July 2007.


Poland
Belarus bus overturns on motorway
At least 26 Byelorussian bus passengers en route to Germany were injured yesterday when their coach struck a barrier and overturned on the Polish A2 motorway near Poznan, no indication has been established yet of human error or technical malfunction. 23rd July 2007.


India
Mumbai building collapse leaves 28 dead
The collapse of a 7-storey structure yesterday in Borivili, west Mumbai (Bombay), left at least 28 people dead, allegations are being made that renovation work undertaken in Vandana Jewellers on the ground floor undermined the structure's integrity. The building was 20-years old, questions are also being raised over a roof water tank and the quality of cement used at construction, when the latter was in short supply.
20th July 2007.
Hungary
Six Romanian tourists killed
The collision of a tourist bus and a car transporter yesterday between Moko and Szeged in southeast Hungary left 6 Romanian tourists dead, the transporter is believed to have veered across the highway and knocked the bus with 35 tourists on to a railway line.
20th July 2007.
Brazil
200 dead in air crash on difficult runway
The crash of an Airbus 320 of TAM Linhas Aereas at Congonhas airport, Sao Paulo, left 200 people dead after the aircraft appeared to encounter braking problems as it landed in wet conditions, the plane crossed a busy road before hitting a TAM building.
The runways only just reopened on June 29th after resurfacing work to prevent aquaplaning, for some time surface water had been slow to clear. The airport's short runways and surrounding high buildings test pilots' skills. It is speculated that the TAM flight may have attempted to abort its landing and take off again.
On Monday this week a Pantanal flight with 21 passengers experienced 2 burst tyres after landing. Pilots' Associations have advocated the use of soft cement beyond the 6,362-foot long runway to provide emergency braking.
19th July 2007.
Ukraine
Phosphorus spillage as chemical train derails
Ukrainian authorities have issued a chemical hazard warning for the Bussky district of western Ukraine following the derailment and fire which involved a goods train carrying phosphorus, the accident occurred 50 miles from Lvov involving a train travelling from Kazakhstan to Poland.
The liquid chemical spillage has seen 815 people evacuated, some rescuers and service personnel have been hospitalised.
18th July 2007.
Australia
2 track workers killed by NSW coal train
Two signal technicians of the Australian Rail Track Corporation were killed on Monday morning after being struck by a coal train at Singleton station in New South Wales Hunter Valley, 125 miles northwest of Sydney, they had been working on points at the station shortly before the accident.
17th July 2007.
Germany
9 injured in explosion at farming show
Nine people were injured yesterday, 3 seriously, when fire broke out in a fast food outlet and gas cylinders exploded at the Tarmstedt agricultural show near Bremen, the largest farming show in north Germany.
17th July 2007.
Italy
Long jumper hit by flying javelin
A French long jumper is recovering in hospital in Rome after being struck by a flying javelin while preparing in the warm-up area at the Golden League athletics meeting in Rome on Friday evening, the javelin left a 3cm wound in the athlete's side.
16th July 2007.
New Zealand
Maintenance worker killed in crush accident at quarry
OSH is investigating a fatal crush accident at Cape Foulwind, on the northwest coast of South Island, where falling machinery killed a worker engaged on maintenance of a conveyor belt at Holcim's Westport Works Cement Quarry, the conveyor drive was not operating at the time of the accident. 14th July 2007.

Switzerland
6 soldiers killed in Jungfrau accident
Six Swiss soldiers were killed in an accident on Thursday on the Jungfrau mountain in the Bernese Oberland, the accident occurred at a height of 3,800 metres, it is unclear whether they were in ascent or descent on the southern face. They fell into the Rottal area, it has been speculated that the fresh snow of recent days may have precipitated an avalanche.
The victims included a supervisor and 5 recruits from west Switzerland in their 17th week of a 21-week training programme. It is understood that they were linked by ropes in groups of 3, eight others were uninjured. The Swiss army often uses the Andermatt base for such specialist training on the Jungfrau. 13th July 2007.

USA
Unsecured worker in scaffold fall at Vermont church
A Vermont construction worker of Northeast Masonry has sustained serious injuries in a 20-metre fall through a gap in scaffolding at the Ira Allen Chapel tower at the University of Vermont, Burlington, the worker was replacing boards on the scaffold when the accident occurred and was allegedly not wearing a safety harness. Northeast is subcontracted to Consigli Construction of Milford, Massachusetts. 13th July 2007.

Indonesia
Ferry missing in stormy waters
The Indonesia ferry KM Wahai Star is presumed sunk after it encountered storm conditions and 3-metre high waves and experienced engine failure early yesterday near Pulau Tiga island in the eastern province of Maluku, an oil tanker has recovered the bodies of 2 children but is also believed to have rescued around 2 dozen of the 70 passengers and crew of the stricken ship which was in transit from Buru island to Ambon.
The tanker has waited in the vicinity in the hope of rescuing more people. 12th July 2007.

China
Crane collapse kills workers on HK demolition site
All work has been suspended at the demolition site on Hennessy Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong, following a crane collapse there on Tuesday morning which left 2 workers dead and 5 others injured. 11th July 2007.

Indonesia
Volcanic vapours kill 6 schoolboys
Six secondary school pupils out of a party of 20 from Jakarta on a camping trip to Mount Salak, south of the capital, have died from sulphur poisoning after straying too close to the rim of the volcano and inhaling sulphur vapours, one of the deceased manifested classic signs of the condition with foam coming from his mouth.

10h July 2007.

South Africa
Miner's body recovered at Limpopo mine
The body of a 31-year old miner was recovered yesterday at the Two Rivers mine in Steelport, Limpopo, he was listed missing last week following mud ingress at the mine.
10h July 2007.
Japan
Boy's head wedges in vehicle electric door
The Japanese Automobile Manufacturers' Association is investigating an incident in which a small child's head was caught in a 15-cm aperture between a door and the vehicle body after an electric sliding door was activated, the Tokyo Fire Department rescued the child at the scene in Edogawa, the Association is probing if this was an isolated incident.
9th July 2007.
Philippines
Triple training flight fatalities
Three people were killed in a weekend accident when 2 Cessna aircraft clipped wings during training flights as they were preparing to land at the airfield in Plaridel, 20 miles north of Manila, the aircraft came down in a rice field just outside Malolos, a couple of miles from the airfield.
One of the planes carried a flight instructor and student, the other was flown by a female pilot practising take-offs and landings in a single-engine Cessna 152.
9th July 2007.
Spain
Coal silo collapse kills 4 at Almeria cement works
The collapse of an industrial coal bunker late on Thursday afternoon at the cement works of Grupo Holcim near Corral de Carboneras beach in Almeria left 4 workers dead and 4 others injured, 3 are listed in very serious condition in Hospital Torrecardenas.
6th July 2007.
Ireland
Stair collapses at Dublin museum
Eight people were being treated at different Dublin hospitals yesterday evening after sustaining injuries when a limestone staircase collapsed at Dublin's 150-year old Natural History Museum, 11 people in all were injured when the incident occurred around noon on Thursday, the museum is to undergo an extensive renovation programme.
6th July 2007.
Australia
Hand severed in chainsaw accident
Surgeons in South Australia have attempted to re-attach a man's severed hand following an accident at a house in the south Adelaide suburb of Hackham West, following the accident with a chainsaw the victim retained sufficient composure to place the severed hand in a fridge before seeking emergency aid.
5th July 2007.
Germany
Bus driver error alleged in level crossing accident
The collision of a train and a bus on a controlled level crossing in northeast Germany yesterday has left 1 person dead and 29 injured, 9 in serious condition. The accident occurred on the Pisede crossing, between Teterow and Malchin in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the crossing is barrier and light-controlled.
Initial investigation suggests that traffic congestion beyond the crossing saw the 24-year old bus driver unable to clear the crossing with his vehicle, whose rear third was left exposed and was subsequently struck by an approaching Lubeck-Szczecin express train.
4th July 2007.
Belgium
Radiotherapy equipment investigated
The Agence Federale de Controle Nucleaire (AFCN) is investigating radiotherapy equipment at Ghent University hospital after being contacted by installing company, Elekta, who expressed concerns over the equipment's functioning.
The agency regards this as "an isolated case", the hospital's concerns focus on patients receiving treatment between December 05 and September 06.
4th July 2007.
USA
Worker almost sucked out of broken plane window
An air ambulance worker had an almighty struggle to prevent himself being sucked out of a twin-engine aircraft over Idaho when a window shattered at an altitude of  20K feet, his strength and his 16-stone frame proved crucial in winning the struggle after an arm and a section of his upper body were being drawn out of the window.
3rd July 2007.
Peru
Tourist bus and lorry collision
At least 19 people died and 15 were injured when a lorry crossed the carriageway and struck a Peruvian tourist bus in the La Libertad region, 400 miles north of Lima, fire crews had to spend 6 hours cutting victims free from the wreckage. 2nd July 2007.

USA
Worker killed on New York amusement ride
A 21-year old female employee of S & L Amusements has been killed while working on the Mind Scrambler ride at Playland Amusement Park on Long Island Sound, 25 miles north of Manhattan, the victim was apparently securing riders into their twin-seat cars when the ride was inadvertently activated by another worker, causing her to be pitched off.
It is alleged that safety precautions required following a fatal accident on it in 2004 had not been implemented. 1st July 2007.

 

 
Israel
14-year old employee in site fall
A 14-year old boy sustained serious head injuries after falling 15 metres from scaffolding at a construction site in Nazareth, he was transferred to hospital in Haifa for treatment of head injuries.
Youths of this age can be legally hired during the summer holidays to work a maximum 8-hour day/ 40-hour week. 31st July 2007.

USA
Food cart breaches elevator in Philadelphia sports stadium
An elevator accident at the Citizens Bank Park sports stadium in Philadelphia at the weekend has left 2 food services workers of Aramark with serious injuries after a food wagon travelled through elevator doors at 3rd floor level on to the top of an elevator and fell 10 metres into the shaft, the operator is in critical condition, the other worker who was in the elevator has serious arm and head injuries. 30th July 2007.

Bulgaria
Petrol train derails
A Neftohim Burgas train carrying petrol derailed yesterday near Dupritsa station as it travelled to Blagoevrad, southern Bulgaria, 3 wagons derailed, 1 of which overturned, no injuries have been reported. 30th July 2007.

France
Defective brake causes metro fire
A brake shoe detaching from its axle and rubbing on the rail is speculated as the cause of yesterday's fire on Line 13 of the Paris metro between Invalides and Varennes stations, a short circuit subsequently occurred and 35 people required treatment for smoke inhalation, 15 being hospitalised. 30th July 2007.

New Zealand
Silo coy fined over unsafe work practices
The 5-metre fall of an employee of Sharpes Stock and Wellington Egg Company from a silo top near Pauatahanui which left the victim with a fractured spine has led to a $30K(£11,744) fine for the company at Porirua District Court and a recommendation from the Department of Labour's regional manager for workplace safety that silos should be serviced and maintained from ground level, making it unnecessary for a worker to have to climb them.
He observed that a simple rope mechanism could open and close a silo lid.
28th July 2007.
Japan
Ship collision off Tokyo
Two ships collided in the early hours of Friday 5 miles northeast of Tokyo's Toshima Lighthouse, no injuries were reported of the crews of the Singapore-registered Wan Hai or the Greek ship Alpha Action, concern is being expressed over oil leaking from the stern of the Wan Hai.
28th July 2007.

Russia
Gas pipe explodes in northwest region
A gas explosion occurred early on Thursday on the Lavriki-Severnaya Tets 80cm-diameter high-pressure pipeline near the area where the St Petersburg and Leningrad regions bound, workers have been unable to approach the locus on account of the gas accumulations, the cause of incident is being speculated as technical failure.
27th July 2007.


China
Gas leak ex chemical plant affects students
A gas leakage from the petroleum and Chemical Storehouse in Liaoning, Shenyang, has seen 37 students in adjacent premises hospitalised after becoming unwell.
27th July 2007.


Canada
Crane with transformer hits house at Saskatchewan site
Investigators in Saskatchewan are studying the circumstances of an accident in east Regina yesterday when a crane lowering a transformer into position for Sask Power behind a dwellinghouse lost its stability and hit the house occupied by 6 people, the crane operator sustained minor injuries.
26th July 2007.
China
Gas explosion kills miners
It is reported that 7 miners have lost their lives in an explosion in Liaoning province.
The accident occurred on Sunday at the Xinfa coal mine in Fuxin, in the country's northeast, 27 other miners escaped.
25th July 2007.
Switzerland
Overturned plant traps site worker
A 51-year old site worker was badly injured yesterday when an earth moving vehicle he was driving overturned into an 80cm-deep, 3 m-wide excavation at the site of the new Lausen railway station, in the Ergolz valley near Basle, he was pinned between the 4-tonne vehicle and a boundary wall.

 24th July 2007.

France
Plan Rouge after bus crash
The Plan Rouge was deployed in the Isere region of France after a Polish tourist bus from Szczecin crashed into the river Romanche at Vizille at the weekend, 26 passengers returning from a pilgrimage died in the incident when the bus apparently experienced brake failure on the notorious Laffrey gradient. 23rd July 2007.


La Reunion
Tourist plane crash kills 4
A light aircraft crash on the island of La Reunion has left 4 tourists dead, further details have yet to emerge. 23rd July 2007.


Japan
Fire claims 2 lives in non-nationals' residence
Fire in a dormitory for foreign residents in Tokyo left 2 women dead yesterday, it is thought that a casually discarded cigarette in Room 208 of the accommodation in the Kohimata district of Bunkyo-ku caused the accident.
20th July 2007.
Netherlands Antilles
New stadium has problems
Demands for enhanced safety and security measures are becoming more strident following recent vandalism at the new football stadium in the French Quarter, Marigot, where casual access is being gained.
Concerns are being expressed that boundary walls are not high enough to prevent falls; recently a child's head became wedged in revolving gates, local fire crews deployed jaws of life rescue measures.
20th July 2007.
USA
Falling equipment kills engineer
The fall of the 250-Kg bucket of an earth mover at Kearney Mesa, San Diego, killed an employee of Straight Line Engineering on Thursday morning, the accident occurred as the victim was working in an excavation on Sudberry Properties land on Copley Drive.
20th July 2007.
USA
Steam pipe explosion in Manhattan
A steam pipe explosion occurred on Wednesday evening at 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue near Grand Central Station, New York, clouds of steam issued high into the air, it is speculated that a transformer exploded, causing the pipe to fracture.
19th July 2007.
Bulgaria
Tram driver electrocuted
A tram driver has been electrocuted in midweek after climbing on to the top of a colleague's tram in central Sofia to untangle a steel cable using a metal rod which contacted a 600-volt power line.
19th July 2007.
USA
Roofer electrocuted deploying ladder
A 25-year old Texan roofer has died in an apparent electrocution after his 11-metre long aluminium extension ladder contacted overhead power lines while working on a property in West Main Street, Denison, 60 miles north of Dallas.
18th July 2007.
France
Polish drivers succumb to alcohol abuse
Two Polish lorry drivers have died from alleged alcohol poisoning after falling into a coma at the end of the weekend at la Motte Servolex in Savoy, they are alleged to have drunk beer and a litre of whisky each, Polish and Lithuanian colleagues found them asleep in seated positions but stretched them out supine to sleep it off, both men in their 50's lapsed into a coma from which they could not be revived.
17th July 2007.
Switzerland
Dangerous driver and vehicle
A Belgian HGV driver returned a blood alcohol reading of 1.2 promille at the Basle customs control point exiting Switzerland, his vehicle also manifested numerous failings, including an overload of chipboard and defects in one of the front brakes.
17th July 2007.
USA
Falling steel fatality in Michigan
A 46-year old Michigan female worker was killed at the Macsteel plant in Napoleon, 40 miles southwest of Detroit, on Saturday when 0.5 tonne of steel fell on her as she was attempting to deactivate a loose air hose, it is speculated that her accessing the button in a machine to switch off caused the steel bars above to dislodge.
16th July 2007.
Serbia
Farmer killed by ox
A Serbian farmer was killed by one of his oxen at the weekend on land near Pribij, his wife only managed to escape the incident by climbing a tree, 2 farmers have been killed in livestock accidents in recent weeks in this same region near the Bosnian border.
16th July 2007.
Ireland
Gas survey helicopter crashes in Clare
The pilot of an A-5 3-50 Squirrel helicopter of Irish Helicopters survived the crash of his craft during gas pipeline inspection survey at Ballynacally, County Clare, air accident inspectors are investigating the incident. 14th July 2007.

India
Leopard kills girl in factory residential area
A 3-year old girl was killed by a leopard just outside her home in the residential quarter area of the Ordnance Factory at Chandrapur, which comprises a 2K acre complex of factory and living quarters. Although the forest is about 1 mile distant, thick vegetation predominates nearby, the animal approached from there into the compound. 13th July 2007.
Greece
OSE investigates Athens rail collision
Hellenic Railways Organisation (Organismos Sidirodromon Ellados) is investigating the head-on collision of 2 trains in the Athens district of Sepolia which left 53 people injured yesterday, a busy commuter train travelling from north Athens to the city centre collided with a goods train from Corinth on the same track. 13th July 2007.

Greece
Firemen killed fighting forest fire on Crete
A sudden change of wind direction fanned flames towards firefighters and claimed the lives of 3 firemen from Doxaro fighting forest fires near Rethymno on the north coast of Crete on Wednesday, a 4th firefighter is listed in critical condition.
12th July 2007.
USA
Newbuild structure collapse on Colorado site
The collapse of a building under construction at the site of a new military facility off Titus Boulevard in Fort Carson, Colorado, has left 1 worker dead and 3 others injured, one of whom is in critical condition. Concrete sections were being positioned when the accident occurred, 1 of the victims is believed to have been in a mobile elevated work platform (MEWP), 8 workers were on site at the time. 11th July 2007.

France
US student's body found in stair well
Police are treating as an accident the death of a 20-year old US student found in a stair well at an apartment block on Boulevard Poissonniere in Paris, Tuesday's autopsy found no signs of violence, it is speculated that the victim, who was in possession of a Tennessee driver's license, for some reason lost his balance and fell. 11th July 2007. 

Bulgaria
Worker killed by reversing lorry
A 59-year old worker has died after being struck by a reversing lorry during timber loading at a site near Dobralak, in Kuklen, southern Bulgaria, the driver being unaware of his colleague's presence. 10th July 2007.  

India
Two workers killed in fireworks factory explosion
An explosion during the mixing of chemicals at a fireworks factory in Vadamalapuram, near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, left 2 workers dead at the weekend, another person was badly injured by flying debris at the site. 9th July 2007.  

Niger
Chinese uranium mine worker abducted
A Chinese national working for a uranium company in north Niger has been kidnapped by the Niger Movement for Justice (MNJ), Tuareg rebels who are demanding of Chinese companies to stop working in the desert.
His abduction near the In-Gall oasis, 75 miles west of Agadez, north of the Tiguidit cliffs, is not regarded as life-threatening but as a bargaining chip, the Tuaregs, who have been raiding uranium mines in the salt plain areas earlier this year, are claiming they seek greater integration. 9th July 2007.  

Vietnam
Lightning strikes kill farmers at harvest
Farmers are being urged to be vigilant of lightning in the wake of 5 deaths which have occurred this week in Thai Binh in north Vietnam where farmers in their fields were taken by surprise by lightning during harvesting, 1 person died on Saturday and 4 more in midweek, with 2 farmers surviving with burns injuries. 6th July 2007.  

France
Panther missing from French zoo
Police in Calvados were searching yesterday for a 50Kg black panther reported missing from its enclosure at Cerza Zoo in Herminal-les-Vaux. 6th July 2007.  

Canada
Female rail worker killed in Alberta
A 34-year old female employee of Chief Hauling Contractors Inc died after becoming caught in train equipment while working on the Athabasca Northern Railway in Fort McMurray,north Alberta, initial investigation indicates that the victim, who took up her employment last month, was not struck by a train. 5th July 2007.  

USA
Confined space fatal accident claims 5 lives on Virginia farm
Four members of a Mennonite family and their hired labourer have died in a confined space fatality after being overcome by methane gas on their farm in Briery Branch, 10 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
The farmer was supervising the transfer of manure from one pit to another via piping when a blockage occurred, he succumbed from the fumes during investigation of the blockage, the subsequent fatalities occurred during rescue bids. 4th July 2007.  

Canada
Confined space fatal accident in Ontario
A confined space incident claimed the lives of 2 workers inside a Bell Canada manhole in Oakville, 20 miles southwest of Toronto, while the victims were inspecting ducts, the Ontario provincial government placed a stop-work order at the site.

3rd July 2007.  
Germany
Off-road lorry accident near Nurburgring
German prosecutors in Trier are considering bringing charges of death by negligence (fahrlassiger Totung) in respect of a fatal accident yesterday in which 1 person died and 19 were injured when a lorry overturned at the Offroad-Park area in Drees, in the Vulkaneifel area near the Nurburgring, it is believed that as many as 25 people were on the rear and top of the lorry when its 48-year old female driver lost control of it and it overturned. 2nd July 2007.  

Slovakia
Pilots survive light aircraft collision
Two Slovakian pilots survived the collision of their light sports aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 metres in central Slovakia, both ejected and parachuted down over woodland; 1 pilot was badly injured, the other's descent was cushioned by tree tops from where he was rescued by helicopter, suffering principally from shock. 1st July 2007.  

 
Canada
Worker's loses section of leg in crane accident
A 35-year old worker has had the lower section of a leg amputated after he slipped and fell into a crane's gearing while working on a site off Range Road, Calgary, the victim was standing on the side of the crane but slipped down 1 metre into the gears. 31st July 2007.

South Africa
Woodwork teachers subdue fire
Two teachers from Benoni High School in Johannesburg were hospitalised following smoke inhalation after tackling a fire which broke out yesterday morning in a storeroom of the school's woodwork department. 31st July 2007.

China
70 miners trapped by flooding
Rescue efforts are ongoing to reach 70 miners trapped by flooding yesterday at the 50-year old state-owned Zhijian coal mine in Shanxian county, Henan. 30th July 2007.

Russia
Cargo plane crashes outside Moscow
The crash of a 4-engine turboprop Antonov-12 cargo aircraft yesterday just 3 miles beyond take-off from Moscow's Domodedovo airport has killed all 7 crew of the Atran company plane.
The 43-year old plane, which was heading for Bratsk, had a cargo capacity of 20 tonnes and was scheduled for decommissioning in November this year. 30th July 2007.

Russia
Research vessel's technical problems en route to Pole
The Russian nuclear power icebreaker Rossiya has been asked to assist the Polar research vessel Akademik Fydorov whose electric propeller motor failed some 60 miles after setting out into the Barents Sea from Murmansk for the North Pole where it is proposed to conduct survey work at a depth of 4,300 metres under the Pole.
28th July 2007.

USA
Maintenance worker dies
An Ohio maintenance worker, an employee of Pete Miller Inc, has died while working on an air-conditioning unit at the Nucor Steel plant in Marion, the victim was suspended in a harness c 14 metres above ground but apparently became snagged and drawn into the machinery, the incident was unwitnessed as the plant is closed for a maintenance programme. 
27th July 2007.


Austria
Fire on Salzburg Cathedral roof
A section of the roof of Salzburg cathedral ignited during hot work yesterday, the damage occurred in the area directly above the museum where a hole had been cut and timbers were exposed.
 
26th July 2007.
USA
Maintenance men injured in Wisconsin food plant
Two Wisconsin subcontract maintenance workers have sustained serious injuries after being struck by a loose frame while working on an elevator system for waste material at Jack's Frozen Pizza plant in Little Chute, 60 miles north of Milwaukee, the elevator lifts bins with waste material, for some reason the frame became loose and hit the 37- and 43-year old workers.
26th July 2007.
Germany
ADAC bridges test
The German automobile association, ADAC(Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobilclub), has completed its first check of road bridges, with 6 of 50 being found to be defective or very defective. In the latter category the Eckstrasse bridge, near the centre of Chemnitz, was closed to HGV's with immediate effect, 2 others in Chemnitz, the Leipzigerstrasse and Neefstrasse bridges were deemed defective.
Also in the defective category were the Heringsmuhlen bridge in Saarbrucken, the Schleusen bridge in Rostock and the Mozartstrasse bridge in Koblenz, the ADAC wants more regular checks to be made of the nation's bridges.
25th July 2007.
Norway
Tourist falls into glacier crevasse
A Czech tourist who went missing from a party of 50 tourists at one of the Svartisen glaciers in the Saltfjellet-Svartisen national park, north Norway, was found dead in a 50-metre deep crevasse in the glacier, several tonnes of ice had fallen on him.
24th July 2007.
Indonesia
Crash grounds military turboprops
All 7 OV-10 Bronco turboprop aircraft of the Indonesian Air Force have been grounded following the crash of one yesterday shortly after take-off near Abdurahman Saleh airport in Malang, east Java.
One pilot died and a colleague ejected with a parachute, it is speculated that engine failure caused the accident.
24th July 2007.

Spain
Tractor fatality on olive farm
A farm worker died after being clouted by a tractor's bucket containing 200 litres of liquid sulphur during work at an olive farm at Fuente Camacho, 30 miles north of Malaga. 23rd July 2007.


Saudi Arabia
Fire incident at oil terminal
Fire at the North Product Terminal of the Ras Tanura oil facility has killed 4 workers believed to be subcontractors, maintenance work was ongoing at the time. 23rd July 2007.


USA
Teenager killed in fall from moving vehicle
Investigation has begun into the death of a 16-year old boy who fell under the wheels of a lorry/trailer at a farm near Lawton, southwest Oklahoma, it is speculated that the victim was riding on the side of the vehicle and was attempting to alight but his foot caught on the rear wheel, causing him to fall under the vehicle. 23rd July 2007.


Singapore
Shell fined over chemical burns fatality
Shell Petroleum has been fined $25K (Singaporean) after pleading guilty in court to safety lapses which led to a 35-year old worker sustaining 17% chemical burns to his body during chemical replacement process work on a facility 2 years ago.
20th July 2007.
Canada
Municipal grounds worker killed by HGV
A 51-year old female municipal worker of Edson's Public Works Department, Alberta, has died after being struck by a vehicle exiting a petrol station on Highway 16 while she was strimming the grass verge.
20th July 2007.
Nigeria
Police intercept lorry of child slave workers
Police in Edo state in southern Nigeria have intercepted a lorry carrying 62 children believed to have been taken from Cross Rivers for transfer to Lagos where they would later be deployed in mines, plantations or domestic service, some arrests have been made, such procurement of children for slave labour carries mandatory 10-year prison terms.
19th July 2007.
USA
Honolulu worker injured during controlled rock explosion
An employee of Hi-Tech Rockfall Construction Inc has been seriously injured by flying debris during a controlled explosion of rock in the north Waimea Bay area on O'Ahu, Honolulu, the victim was part of a 4-man crew breaking large boulders in a technique regarded as non-explosive, which involves drilling the boulders and filling them with water, prior to introducing a charge like shotgun ordnance. All workers should be 33 metres distant on ignition.
18th July 2007.
Japan
Quake causes fire at nuclear reactor
A transformer fire occurred at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa No 3 nuclear reactor of Tokyo Electric Power Company in Kashiwazaki, north Japan, yesterday following an earthquake in the region.
17th July 2007.
Italy
Light aircraft crashes in Venice Lagoon
A Piper light aircraft crashed into the Venice Lagoon yesterday shortly after take-off, having failed to gain altitude, the 71-year old pilot survived the accident which saw the aircraft come down in 80cm of water.
16th July 2007.
USA
Fatal accident at Florida incinerator
A casual worker at the Waste-to-Energy recycling plant in St Petersburg, Florida, was killed on Saturday after becoming caught in belt-driven equipment while shovelling ash at the incinerator.
16th July 2007.
Denmark
Human error causes Jutland ferry harbour accident
The Master Cat ferry with 561 passengers on board bound for Kristiansand in Norway crashed against the harbour as it left the port of Hanstholm, northwest Jutland, on Friday morning, owners Master Ferries are attributing the incident to human error, the ferry, which offers a competitive pricing structure, sustained "fairly severe" damage according to the operators but was scheduled to sail later on Friday evening. 14th July 2007.

USA
Fatality in Washington roads work zone
A roads worker engaged on the repaving project of the Department of Transportation on Route 20 between Burlington and Anacorta, northwest Washington, was killed on Thursday by a street sweeping machine in a work zone north of La Conner.
13th July 2007.
Austria
Lorry driver misjudges railway bridge
A 34-year old lorry driver was fortunate to avoid injury yesterday when he misjudged the height of a railway bridge when driving along Schmelzhutterstrasse towards the centre of Dornbirn, south of Bregenz, the roof of his vehicle was torn off, it is understood that it was the first time he had taken this route with his load of flowers, Austrian Rail (OBB) is inspecting the bridge's integrity.
12th July 2007.
Germany
3 separate chemical incidents
30 people were injured in 3 separate chemical incidents in Germany on Wednesday.
At a holiday park in Gunderoth in the Eifel 20 people were injured when poisonous vapours emanated from a tank during filling with a chemical substance which overflowed; 3 staff members and 10 trainees at a job training centre in Timmendorfer Strand near Lubeck required treatment after a chlorine ethylene fluid leaked during filling of textile cleaning equipment; and a 16-year old pupil in a school in Gluckstadt, 25 miles northwest of Hamburg, was hospitalised with burns to his upper body following an explosion during a school chemistry lesson, under supervision, to distil alcohol.
12th July 2007.
Spain
Ship strikes rocks in Mediterranean
The 142-metre cargo ship Don Pedro sank on Wednesday just 10 minutes after sailing from Ibiza for Valencia, the 24-year old vessel is believed to have struck rocks just off the port. All 20 people on board were rescued before it sank in 30 minutes and now lies in 45 metres of water. Concern is being expressed over its 150 tonnes of fuel oil.
12th July 2007.
Russia
Train derails in Sverdlovsk
The Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations reports that a technical malfunction caused the derailment of a 9-carriage train on Tuesday, 12 miles northwest of Yekaterinburg, a number of passengers were injured, one was hospitalised, others declined further medical assistance. 11th July 2007.

Malta
Seamen injured in naval base fire
Two seamen were injured yesterday when fire broke out at the Maritime Squadron base of the Armed Forces of Malta in Haywharf, outside Valetta, a boat and other equipment were destroyed in the blaze which is under investigation. 10th July 2007.  

Israel
Gas cylinder explodes in food delivery lorry
A Nigerian male in his 40's was killed when a gas cylinder exploded as a food delivery lorry was manoeuvring in Yefet Street in Jaffa, the authorities' initial investigation ruled out terrorism, it is speculated that the cylinder exploded when the vehicle impacted slightly against a wall. 9th July 2007.  

Mexico
Cargo plane crash kills 9 in Sinaloa
The crash of a cargo aircraft during take-off at Culiacun airport, 400 miles north of Guadalajara, on Thursday has killed at least 9 people, including the aircraft's 3-man crew, the plane went on to a highway adjacent to the airport; 2 soldiers on duty for the visit of President Felipe Calderon were among the fatalities. 6th July 2007.  

Italy
Polish mountaineers found dead on Mont Blanc
Three Polish mountaineers, 2 males and a female, were found dead on Mont Blanc on Thursday following an avalanche, recovery work was hampered by adverse weather conditions, 2 members of the party survived and were able to descend to raise the alarm. 6th July 2007.  

Argentina
Youth killed by train in Buenos Aires
A 15-year old boy was killed by a train yesterday in Caballito station on the Buenos Aires Sarmiento line, it appears that he had rushed across the tracks to catch a waiting train unaware of another oncoming one. 5th July 2007.  

USA
Forklift fatality in Michigan warehouse
Investigation is ongoing into a fatal crush accident in which a forklift truck fell over and crushed a worker at a Meijer warehouse in Berlin, Monroe County, southeast Michigan. 5th July 2007.  

China
Mobile phone explosion kills worker
The Jinta Administration of Work Safety is treating as a workplace accident the death of a welder whose mobile phone exploded and led to his death during electrical welding work at the Yingpan iron smelting plant in Shuangcheng, Gansu province.
The phone exploded in his pocket, causing his ribs to fracture and pierce his heart, very high temperatures are being interpreted as a factor in the explosion of the lithium-ion battery, which can also be vulnerable to over-charging or short circuits. 4th July 2007.  

Japan
Lorry's swinging gate severs woman's arm
A female cyclist's arm has been severed by an unsecured metal gate on the rear of a lorry which swung loose and inflicted the injury in Yamatokoriyama, in Nara, central Japan, the lorry was transporting second-hand cars, it is speculated that retaining bolts became loose in transit. The 25-year old driver has been arrested over allegations of negligent driving resulting in injury. 4th July 2007.  

USA
Worker crushed in plant accident on Oregon motorway site
The Oregon Department of Transportation is investigating a fatal accident which occurred on Sunday evening when a 47-year old worker became pinned between stabilising equipment and the rear bucket of an excavator during work on the Interstate 205 project in Tualatin, just south of Portland. 3rd July 2007.  

USA
Sports stadium site accident
The New York Department of Buildings has issued a partial stop-work order to Bovis Lend Lease following a weekend accident in which a worker was injured when he fell 3 metres into a stair shaft at the site of the new Mets Stadium in New York. The Department also picked up on violations regarding working without a tower scaffold and failure to have mandatory signs in position. 1st July 2007.  

 
Scotland
One killed, another injured in building collapse
A man in his 50's lost his life and a colleague sustained major injuries in an industrial accident on Sunday when, it is reported, a floor failed in a former cinema in which they were working in Falkirk.
The deceased fell around 10m, he was breaking up concrete when the accident occurred, and is believed to have been employed by Glasgow company Dimension Shopfittings. 31st July 2007.

England
Workplace transport failures cost life
On 17th February 2006, a 56-year old security officer employed by G4S Security Services (UK) Ltd, was struck and killed by a car leaving the premises of packaging company, Rigid Containers Ltd, at Desborough, Northamptonshire. He was checking an HGV leaving the site when he was hit by an employee's car that was also exiting the site through a different security barrier.
At Northampton Crown Court Rigid Containers was fined £65,000 after pleading guilty to breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and r.17(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. G4S of Surrey was fined £50,000 after pleading guilty to breaching S.2(1) of the Principal Act.

No separation
HSE wishes to warn firms of the need to act on workplace transport safety, a Northamptonshire HSE Inspector explained: "This incident showed all the classic signs of a workplace transport collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian. There was no separation of vehicles and pedestrians at Rigid's main entrance, the area where the accident occurred was poorly lit and road signs and markings to direct traffic were insufficient.
Rigid had not thought about the effect of making changes to the routing of vehicles and Rigid and G4S had not communicated effectively with each other to decide issues of worker training, and the use of a safe system of work around workplace transport.
I hope other businesses can learn something from the accident that occurred at Rigid Containers by appreciating the high risks that affect workplace transport activities and do more to control those risks." 31st July 2007.


England
Inquest jury determines accidental death
A 55-year-old man died in a forklift truck accident at the Southampton docks' premises of Montague Meyer in September 2006.
A Southampton inquest jury listened to evidence concerning the industrial accident in which the deceased was crushed against wood panels. The jury members heard an eye-witness account by a colleague who described how the deceased had attempted to move a forklift truck by operating its controls while standing next to it. He failed to retain control of the machine and sustained fatal injuries, crushed between it and some panels. 30th July 2007.

England
Arborist killed in horror accident
It is reported that a man died on Wednesday in an accident as he worked on a tree at a residential property in Lower Lydbrook, Glos.
It appears he may have injured himself initially with a chainsaw, his body was later recovered from the tree.
28th July 2007.
England
Confined space deaths of father and son
Two men have died, a father aged 64 and his son, it is speculated from intoxication resulting from the use of an internal combustion engine-powered pump in the confined space of Tewkesbury Rugby Football Club's cellar.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening, club members discovered the pair the next morning.
27th July 2007.
England
Floor collapse badly injured 2
Demolition company J W Ousby and Sons Ltd of Preston has been fined £15,000, with £5,000 costs, at Manchester Crown Court, for failures that permitted 2 of its employees to suffer serious injuries when a floor collapsed and they fell 4 metres at the former BAE Ordnance site on Hercules Business Park, Lostock Lane, Lostock , Bolton, on 23rd October 2002.
Investigation found Ousby had failed to provide a safe system of work and provide the employees with sufficient information, instruction and supervision for safe demolition, an HSE Principal Inspector (Construction) explained: "The work being done by J W Ousby & Sons could have been carried out safely without extra cost if the planning or supervision had been adequate. The employees were seriously injured when the floor they were standing on collapsed beneath them. The long-term effects on them and their families have been devastating, as their injuries have meant neither has been able to work again. Ousbys were working to prepare the building at the BAE Ordnance site, Lostock, for conversion to a superstore. An internal concrete mezzanine floor was being demolished with a heavy-duty machine that can demolish the structure from a distance. This is a safe method of working so long as it is properly planned; the planned sequence of work takes account of the effects on the stability of the structure; and personnel are excluded from the vicinity of the work. This accident occurred because J W Ousby & Sons failed on all three of these points."
 
26th July 2007.
England
Estate worker killed in tractor accident
A man in his 50's died on Monday evening when the tractor he was driving left a track and fell 12m down an embankment at Hulne Park on the Duke of Cumberland's estate in Northumbria.
The tractor was attached to a trailer with a load of timber, the deceased had became trapped underneath the vehicle.
25th July 2007.
England
Unsafe system cost workman's life
A steel company has been fined for failing to recognise and stop an unsafe system of work used by its employees which ultimately ended in tragedy when a man sustained fatal crush injuries in April 2005. Arcelor Avis SSC Ltd., formerly Avis Steel Services Ltd, of Worsley, Manchester, was fined £75,000, with costs of £7,282, at Manchester Crown Court having been found guilty of breaching S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The deceased, a despatch loader, worked as part of a team that loaded wagons overnight ready for delivery the following day, and it was the adopted practice that, if vehicles needed to be moved, they would reach into the vehicle to turn on the ignition while standing on the ground. Once all the wagons to be moved had been started up, they would then be manoeuvred in turn to their required positions.
On this occasion, it is believed that the wagon was parked in gear without the brakes on and when the deceased reached in to start the wagon, it set off. He pulled the driver's door back open and tried to stop the wagon, but it collided with another wagon and he was crushed.
24th July 2007.
England
Workplace transport fatality in Immingham
It is reported that a maintenance worker, aged 48, has died after being struck by a vehicle at Hargreaves Services premises at Immingham docks.
The account states he was working with coal screening equipment when he was crushed by a coal-carrying vehicle's shovel.
23rd July 2007.
England
Workman dies after fall from vehicle
It is reported that a 48-year old man has succumbed to head injuries after falling from the top of his van as he loaded equipment in Biggleswade, Beds.
The accident occurred last week, the deceased was an employee of Gutter Maintenance based in Launton, Oxon.
20th July 2007.
Scotland
Gas incident at animal incineration plant
A worker has been admitted to hospital with serious breathing problems following an incident on Wednesday at the Sacone Environmental Ltd plant in Brechin, Angus.
Two of his colleagues and a paramedic also required treatment for the inhalation of an irritant gas, there has been speculation that the gas involved is hydrogen sulphide.
19th July 2007.
Scotland
RNLI crewman badly injured
A teenage crewman of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution boat based in Kinghorn, Fife, remains in a coma following surgery for a head injury sustained when he fell overboard during a training exercise on Sunday.
He was reportedly struck on the head by the vessel's propeller 
18th July 2007.
Scotland
Worker falls to his death at fairground
An 18-year-old man has died after an accident on a fairground ride at the Loudoun Castle Theme Park in Galston, Ayrshire.
The accident occurred on Sunday afternoon, accounts state that he fell 20m whilst attempting to move a car on a ride which had come to a halt.
17th July 2007.
England
Prosecution highlights need to assess key aspects of pool safety
The Office of the Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis was fined £75,000, with £50,000 prosecution costs, and the London Borough of Barnet was fined £16,500, with £10,000 costs, for breaching S.3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the deaths of 2 teenagers who drowned at the pool operated by the Metropolitan Police Training College at Hendon, North London, in July 2002.
Investigation revealed serious deficiencies in the operation of the swimming pool and also that poor control of the summer play scheme by the London Borough of Barnet had contributed to the tragic outcome.

Number of lifeguards
An HSE Principal Inspector explained: "Health and safety isn’t about stopping fun activities, such as those organised for young people. However, this case illustrates the tragic results when the safety of swimmers is not properly considered. Pool operators need to make sure that there are enough lifeguards for the size of the pool and the activities taking place. Play scheme organisers need to establish the swimming ability of the children involved and the suitability of the activity and pool." 14th July 2007.


England
Manager was overcome in confined space
A tragic accident claimed the life of a Basingstoke farm manager in December 2005, an event which should serve as a warning to others of just how easily lives can be lost in confined spaces where dangerous gases can build up.
The manager entered a slurry valve chamber at Cockington Farm and was later discovered by a colleague and rescued by emergency services, but he succumbed later to the effects of the toxic atmosphere.
An inquest held at Barnstaple County Court determined a verdict of accidental death, an HSE inspector commented: "Mr Davies was a respected and experienced farm manager and this incident highlights the need for everyone in the industry to think carefully about whether there are potentially dangerous confined spaces on their farms. Some may not be obvious at first and people may be working in them without realising the dangers. For example, many people working on farms will know that slurry stores are dangerous but they might not be as aware of the risks from inspection pits, valve chambers or other normally 'dry' parts of their slurry systems. Here, the presence of harmful gases might not be anticipated - but even very low levels of slurry gases can be toxic. Furthermore, it's not just slurry systems which pose risks but dirty water-treatment tanks, inspection chambers, forage tower silos, rapid composting systems, moist grain silos and the like, which can be equally hazardous. We have advice on how to work safely within confined spaces on farms and I urge everyone who might be affected to look at the HSE website or ask us for further information."

13th July 2007.
England
Teenager drowns in London pool
A post-mortem has confirmed that the 18-year old man who lost his life last week in an incident at a leisure centre's swimming pool in Enfield, London, had drowned.
The centre is owned by Enfield Borough Council and run by Enfield Leisure Centres Ltd.
12th July 2007.
Northern Ireland
Boating accident claims life in NI
A man died on Lough Erne, Co Fermanagh, on Saturday when he attempted to pull free another craft using a rope attached to his own boat.
It appears that the metal casting he tied the line to on the stranded boat detached from the deck and flew back striking him on the head. 11th July 2007.   

Scotland
Public house incident sends woman to hospital
A female customer of a Dundee public house in the city's Strathmartine Road became violently ill last Wednesday just after she consumed an alcoholic drink.
There has been speculation that the alcoholic drink she imbibed may have contained a caustic substance, requiring her to be treated for burns to her mouth and gullet.
Tayside police and Dundee City Council officials continue to investigate. 10th July 2007.  

England
Norfolk farming fatality
It is reported that a worker has died in an accident yesterday on a farm at Attleborough, southwest  of Norwich.
The account states that the person died in the incident which involved a tractor and trailer. 9th July 2007.  

England
Number of dead unclear after fire guts disused Staffs factory
At least 2 rough sleepers are known to have perished in the outbreak of fire early yesterday at disused industrial premises in Black Horse Lane, Hanley.
It is unclear whether others have died as the condition of the building has not permitted fire personnel to enter, police have arrested 6 persons in connection with the incident. 6th July 2007.  

England
Prisoner dies in custody
An outbreak of fire yesterday morning in a cell at Glen Parva Young Offenders' Institution in Leicestershire has killed its occupant, a 19-year-old man.
It is reported that he was considered to be a potential suicide, prison staff were unable to save his life following smoke inhalation. 5th July 2007.  

England
HPA cautions on high chlorine levels in pools
The Health Protection Agency is raising awareness amongst leisure facility managements of the problems that can arise for swimming pool users when accidentally high chlorine levels are encountered.
Exposure can initially result in eye and lung irritation, the severity of which will depend on the concentration of the chemical and the length of time people were exposed. Even relatively minor exposures can result in burning of the eyes and throat, while more significant exposures can result in coughing and breathing difficulties.
An Agency spokesman explained: "Chlorine is one of the chemicals routinely used to disinfect swimming pools, as it keeps the water clean and prevents the transmission of waterborne diseases. When done correctly this does not pose a public health risk. However, accidents do occur and exposure to chlorine gas due to the unintentional mixing, or poor storage, of these chemicals can be hazardous to health.” 4th July 2007.  

Scotland
Legionnaires disease concerns in Highlands
It is reported that NHS Highland and Highland Council are looking closely at the possibility that two members of the public who have contracted Legionnaires' disease may have done so at a hotel in Strathpeffer.
It is understood that both patients visited the same hotel in June, however, the health authority is some way short of confirming the hotel, which has a pool and jacuzzis, as the source.4th July 2007.  

England
Council worker's lost hours
An employee of Macclesfield Borough Council became so intoxicated by the herbicide that he was applying to grounds throughout the Borough that he cannot account for his movements on the night of 12th April 2006 during which time his wife alerted the authorities to his absence.
Investigation by HSE officials found the Council had failed to properly instruct, inform and train its employees concerning the equipment and materials they worked with, for which it was fined £3,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, and fined £3,000 after pleading guilty to a breach of S.3(1) of the same Act in that it failed to protect persons not in their employment from the work activity. It was also ordered to pay £3,747 costs.

No recollection
An HSE Inspector commented: "The charges were brought after a Council employee failed to return from work. He was reported missing by his wife after spending a day spraying the herbicide 'Enforcer' at recreation grounds throughout the Borough. The employee had not been trained in proper use of the herbicide nor was he given the correct protective equipment and therefore suffered prolonged exposure to its effects. As a result, when he returned to his normal workplace he became disorientated and has no recollection of where he spent the night of 12 April 2006. He was not found until the following morning when a colleague found him wandering in Bollington Recreation Park.
It is vital that businesses of all types and size realise that they must ensure their staff has been properly trained in using equipment and materials and are also given the correct protective equipment to reduce the risks from using it." 3rd July 2007.


England
2-year old victim of industrial accident
A young child sustained substantial injuries to both hand and fingers after putting their hand in the bottom roller of the conveyor at Bel-Shrimp Ltd's premises in Kings Lynn, Norfolk, in November 2002.
The company was fined £5,000 with £4,300 costs, and its director fined £400 with £100 costs at Kings Lynn Magistrates Court for breaching the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of the accident.

Guarding
An HSE Inspector commented: "The HSE wishes to make it clear that we expect business risks to be properly managed and machinery to be guarded in accordance with published guidance. A working factory is no place for a child, the risks in this factory were even greater as there was machinery which was not guarded to the extent it should have been. The message from this case is that HSE will continue to take action against those who flout the law and that managers and directors can be held directly responsible should their actions lead to employees or others being put at risk." 1st July 2007.