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Romania
 Double cement mixer fatality in Medgidia
Two workers were killed yesterday when a cement mixer inside which they were conducting maintenance activated, fatal injuries being inflicted by heavy 18Kg grinding balls, the accident happened at the Lafrage SA plant in Medgidia, 110 miles east of Bucharest. 31st July 2008.
USA
 Crane fatality at Texas bridge site
An employee of Stompers Demolition was killed on Wednesday when a crane became unstable during work at a bridge site near Smithville, 30 miles southeast of Austin, Texas, and toppled into the Colorado River, another worker was injured. Both workers were in a separate piece of equipment while the crane was removing a steel section from an old bridge. During this manoeuvre a second steel section became loose and struck the section being hoisted out, triggering the crane's instability and subsequently knocking over the victims' equipment. The crane operator managed to swim clear from the fallen crane. 31st July 2008.
Spain
 Uneven surface at level crossing leads to derailment
FGV (Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana) has indicated that Wednesday's derailment of a metro train at the site of a new level crossing at Cantreria station on line 1 was attributable to an unevenness of the surface where the work has been taking place. The train, from Benimamet to Valencia, was travelling at 12mph when a wheel on a rear carriage derailed. No injuries were reported but this was the site of a major accident 2 years ago where 43 people died in a rail accident. 31st July 2008.
Russia
SU-27 crashes in Primorye
A Russian SU-27 fighter aircraft crashed on Tuesday half a mile from the airfield at Ussuriisk in the far eastern Primorye region, 1 pilot has died but the other managed to eject safely. Although the cause of the accident is unknown, the aircraft had just recently been serviced. 30th July 2008.
Australia
Scissors lift fatality in Port Hedland
A scissors lift fell and killed a 52-year old worker who was maintaining it on Tuesday at the BHP Billiton Ltd iron ore rail and port operations in Port Hedland, Western Australia. 30th July 2008.
Rep Ireland
Grave digger killed in Limerick cemetery accident
An investigation has been launched into the death of a 51-year old grave digger at Mount St Oliver cemetery, near Limerick, where the municipal employee of Limerick City Council was killed in an accident apparently involving a fall while digging a lair. 29th July 2008.
Haiti
HGV accident kills 32 at busy market
At least 32 people died at a street market in Cavaillon, south Haiti, when apparent brake failure caused a lorry to run into a crowd, a further 60 people were injured, some are listed in critical condition in hospital in Cayes. 28th July 2008.
Argentina
5 killed in Buenos Aires level crossing accident
A level crossing accident at Loria street, 50 metres from Lomas de Zamora station, Buenos Aires, has killed 5 people when a car was struck by a train travelling from Ezeiza to Constitucion. The car driver survived the accident, initial speculation suggests that the barriers were down. 28th July 2008.
Dem Rep of Congo
Oubangui river accident could claim 150 lives
As many as 150 people are feared drowned in the Oubangui river after a ferry ran aground at cliffs, 182 passengers were on board, only 22 were rescued; 42 were known to have drowned but more than 100 others are missing, some bodies were recovered on Friday along the border with the Central African Republic. 26th July 2008.
Greece
Welding accident kills 8 at Perama shipyard
The Greek Merchant Ministry has announced that the death tally from the explosion aboard the Panamanian-flagged tanker Friendship Gas rose to 8 on Friday when 3 other bodies were recovered. Hot metal work was being undertaken near the ship's engine room while berthed at the Perama Shipyard, 12 miles west of Athens, when the explosion occurred, 4 other workers are recovering in Thriassio Hospital.
Later on Friday police arrested the ship's safety technician and a marine chemist in connection with the incident. 26th July 2008.
Argentina
 7 killed in Buenos Aires care home fire
Fire in the El Hogar de Mary elderly care home on Monteverde in the Castelar district of Moron, Buenos Aires, has killed 7 of the 23 residents, 4 others are in hospital but are not in life-threatening condition. The home was renovated in 1999 and was fully licensed, having been inspected in 2007. Investigators hope to glean information about the cause of the blaze from the caretaker who is now on a ventilator while receiving treatment for respiratory tract burns as well as 15% body burns. 25th July 2008.
The Netherlands
Self-built light aircraft crashes on test flight
The KPLD (Korps Landelijke Politiediensten) reports that a  47-year old pilot of a light aircraft crashed landed in a corn field beside Lelystad Airport on Thursday, he was taking his self-built aircraft on its first test flight but encountered problems after negotiating a 180° turn, landing on grass by the runway and overshooting into the corn field. He was admitted to the Academisch Medisch Centrum, Amsterdam, his condition is unknown. 25th July 2008.
USA
Fatal accident at Ford's Stamping Unit
A die-setter was killed on Wednesday morning in an accident at the Woodhaven Stamping Unit of the Ford Motor Company in Detroit, details of the accident have yet to be released. 24th July 2008.
Bahrain
Unstable pipes on forklift kill site worker
An Indian construction worker has been killed in an accident during the unloading of pipes at a site on Sitra island, Bahrain, the pipes were on a forklift truck but became unstable and fell on him. 24th July 2008.
China
 Race to reach trapped miners in flooded pit
Rescuers in Guangxi are racing the clock to reach 30 miners trapped in a flooded pit 1 mile from the entrance to the Nadu coal mine of Youjiang Mining Bureau of Baise. Conflicting figures have been quoted of the number of miners in the shaft when the accident occurred, it is believed that of 56 down there, 7 managed to escape to safety, 13 were rescued and 6 are known to have died. Although contact has been established with some trapped miners, oxygen levels are depleting rapidly. 23rd July 2008.
Israel
Malfunctioning air conditioning unit fire at Golan community
An electrical malfunction in an air-conditioning unit is speculated as the cause of a fire yesterday in a 3-storey dwelling house in the Keshet agricultural community in the Golan Heights, near the old Syrian city of Quneitra, 1 of 4 children has died in the accident, and an 11-year old girl is being treated in a Haifa hospital for critical burn injuries. The parents and 2 other children survived the incident. 23rd July 2008.
Australia
Report finds fatigue and familiarity contributed to NSW track workers' accident
A report into a fatal accident last July in which 2 track workers were killed by a train in Hunter Valley, New South Wales, has recommended improved communication between workers, a review of technologies alerting of a train's imminent approach and a review of safety clothing and equipment.
The Office of Transport Safety Investigations report found that the employees of the Australian Rail Track Corporation were working near Singleton station under "no authority needed", whereby one was on lookout at all times. It was determined that neither was on lookout as the coal train approached, one was kneeling by the points, the other was shining a light onto the tracks. Fatigue and familiarity were cited as contributory factors, both had worked 7 shifts in the previous week and one had considerable experience of such work zones, being comfortable in the working environment. 22nd July 2008.
USA
 Quadruple fatality at Houston refinery as crane collapses
A crane failed and collapsed at the LyondellBasell refinery in southeast Houston killing 4 workers and leaving 7 others injured, it is believed that the 100-metre tall crane of Deep South Crane & Rigging of Louisiana had been transported and assembled on site in recent weeks and was undergoing maintenance when it collapsed. 21st July 2008.
France
Aircraft collide during landing at Drome airfield; Dordogne and Vercors accidents
The midair collision on Saturday of 2 light aircraft 50 metres above ground preparing to land at the Creux-de-la-Thine aeroclub in Albon, Drome, killed 1 of the occupants and left the 3 others critically injured.
At Eyzies-de-Tayac in the Dordogne both occupants of a light aircraft were killed when it crashed in a flight from Domme-Sarlat aerodrome. Meanwhile a search was ongoing through Sunday in the Vercors massif for a glider missing from Valence-Chabeuil aerodrome. 21st July 2008.
Egypt
Level crossing accident kills 44
A level crossing accident 100 miles west of Alexandria killed 44 people, the list of fatalities grew overnight, some eyewitness accounts spoke of a lorry failing to brake competently as it approached the crossing, pushing other stationary vehicles including a bus into the train's path. 18th July 2008.
The Netherlands
Missing diver's body found off Zeeland
A body, presumed to be that of a 35-year old Belgian diver missing since 6th April, was recovered on Thursday off Tholen(Zeeuwse peninsula Sint Philipsland) in Zeeland, he had gone missing while diving with 2 colleagues near Anna Jacobapolder at a depth of 35 metres, a 4-day search at the time in an area of strong currents had proved fruitless. 18th July 2008.
Vietnam
7 crane erectors killed at Cai Lin Port
A container gantry crane collapsed during erection at port section 7 of Cai Lin Port, Quang Ninh province, killing 7 employees of Lilama 692 Company who were assembling it for Falcol Company of Vietnam Shipping Lines. Two 130-tonne crawler cranes were being used to erect the container crane which was imported from China. 17th July 2008.
Germany
Elbe collision leaves large oil slick
A 6-mile diesel slick has been left on the Elbe following the collision of the 82-metre long tanker Undine and the 95-metre long freighter Aldebaran, it is believed that the freighter's anchor breached 4 of the Undine's tanks below the water line. The Undine had just left Hamburg for Geesthacht, the freighter was sailing from Geesthacht to Cuxhaven. 17th July 2008.
Japan
Excavation explosion kills 2 workers in Niigata utility tunnel project
An explosion during excavation work killed 2 workers on Tuesday in a gas tunnel project in the Utsuo district of Joetsu, Niigata, where the Teikoku Oil Company is constructing the 40-mile long tunnel. At present half a mile has been completed, the victims were using heavy machinery and explosives when the accident occurred. 16h July 2008.
Serbia
Falling branch kills music festival camper
A falling tree branch has killed a 28-year old female visitor at the Exit music festival in Novi Sad, another Macedonian couple were left with critical injuries, the accidents happened while they were asleep in tents. 16h July 2008.
Madagascar
Search for missing ocean farm businessmen
An extensive search of the Indian Ocean near Madagascar is ongoing for a vessel and its 11 occupants who were undertaking inspection of ocean farms off Sainte Marie, the business party comprised of 8 Taiwanese nationals. 15th July 2008.
England
Worker fell through unsafe scaffold at Northants site
Castleoak Care Partnerships has been fined £8K and £8,441 costs after admitting to Work at Height Regulations breaches, failing to prevent falls from height and a failure relating to planning and supervision at a site in Bridge Meadow Drive, Grange Park, Northampton, where a Moldovan worker fell 3m through a 3x1m gap from a scaffolding which had no safety railing. 15th July 2008.
Sudan
 Crushing at Omdurman stadium kills 12
Crushing at the entrances to the al-Mureikh stadium in Omdurman has led to the deaths of 12 people where a throng was pressing to gain admission to a national service graduation ceremony inside the sports stadium. 14th July 2008.
Norway
 CO deaths in bus at music festival
Police in Agder, south Norway, are speculating that carbon monoxide poisoning caused the death of 2 visitors at the weekend music festival in Kvinesdal, the victims were recovered from inside a bus on the site, 6 other visitors have been hospitalised for treatment for CO poisoning. 14th July 2008.
France
4 killed in Savoy tourist plane crash
A tourist plane crashed on Thursday at Cote-d'Arbroz village near the Morzine ski station in the Savoy region leading to the deaths of all 4 people on board, the flight had been hired by the Annemasse club from where it had taken off. 11th July 2008.
Uganda
Quarry safety audits demanded
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) of Uganda has issued a deadline for all 26 quarries in Mukuno to submit safety audit reports conducted by competent personnel following public complaint over a number of safety issues. A teenager has had to have a badly broken leg amputated after being struck by a flying rock while riding in a lorry, while residential areas have been affected by flying explosion debris. A school roof and a health centre were damaged adjacent to the Cementers quarry. 11th July 2008.
Argentina
Temporary seating collapse leaves 1 dead at Tucuman presidential address
A temporary tubular metal seating structure collapsed on Wednesday at the Hippodrome del Parque 9 de julio in Tucuman, causing the death of 1 person and injuries to 16 others, the area where the accident occurred was to the left of the presidential box, excessive weight is speculated as the cause. 10th July 2008.
Bolivia
Dozens killed in market lorry crash
More than 30 people have died when a lorry transporting them to a market left the road and crashed 180 metres down into a steep ravine near Potosi, 270 miles south of La Paz, another 20 passengers have been injured. The accident occurred on a stretch of road with numerous tight bends. 9th July 2008.
Canada
Ontario mechanic killed in HGV accident
An Ontario HGV mechanic has been killed after becoming pinned against a wall by a lorry at All Makes Trucks in Milton, southwest of Toronto.. 9th July 2008.
Colombia
Cargo plane crash kills 2 Cundimarca farmers
A Boeing 747 aircraft of Kalitta Airlines operating for Centurion Air Cargo flying to Miami crashed early on Monday into the Casablanca  farm by Madrid, Cundimarca, killing 2 of the house occupants, all 8 crew on board survived although some members and another house occupant have been hospitalised in Santa Matilde de Madrid. An engine fire occurred shortly after take-off from Bogotá's El Dorado airport and it was attempting to return there when it crashed. 8th July 2008.
France
Provencal minibus crash kills  language student
At least 1 child died when a minibus carrying children from Belgium, Germany and Luxembourg from a language school overturned on Monday at Greoux-les-Bains, 40 miles northeast of Marseille, 3 other children aged 10-14 were badly injured. 8th July 2008.
France
3 dead after electrical fire at Alsace hospital
Fire in an electrical chamber at a geriatric unit of a hospital in Pfastatt, Alsace, led to the deaths of 3 people on Sunday evening, 20 patients were evacuated to a hospital in Mulhouse, it is believed that 2 other people were badly injured in the accident. 7th July 2008.
Germany
Gas explosion at southwest camping site
A gas explosion on a camping site in Ludwigshafen has left an 18-month old child with life-threatening injuries, her mother and 12-year old sister have also been hospitalised with severe burns, the incident occurred when they opened their caravan door, police have speculated a defective gas connection. 7th July 2008.
Slovenia
6 missing in east Slovenia after 2 small boats sink
At least 6 people are missing from 2 boats on the River Save near Sevnica, 50 miles from Ljubljana, after getting into difficulties on Thursday evening near the Blanca hydroelectric station. It remains unclear whether they collided or struck a wall, both boats were carrying between 10 and 14 passengers, 5 people were known to have been rescued from the fast-flowing river. It is believed that the excursion had been organised by a local politician who may be among the missing people. 4th July 2008.
Sweden
Iron ore miners await rescue from refuge 1km underground
A rescue operation was ongoing through Thursday evening to reach 8 miners trapped in a refuge more than half a mile underground following a vehicle fire at the LKAB(Luossavaara-Kiirunavaara Aktiebolag) iron ore mine in Malmberget, south of Kiruna. Around 50 miners were underground at the time, most escaped before the smoke-logging developed. 4th July 2008.
Austria
Separate tractor fatalities in Steyr
A 45-year old farmer accidentally ran over and killed his 75-year old mother on Wednesday while reversing his hay-laden tractor at a farm in Schoder, in the Murau district of Steyr, where she was standing unsighted at the rear.
On Monday, in Ranten in the same district, an 82-year old farmer was inspecting a pond on his property when his unbraked tractor rolled down a gradient and ran over him, he was admitted to hospital in Salzburg with life-threatening injuries. 3rd July 2008.
Australia
Fatal accident at Brisbane tyre depot
A 25-year old worker has died from head and upper body injuries when a jack supporting a lorry failed while he was changing a tyre at a tyre depot in the Sherwood district of Brisbane. 3rd July 2008.
France
Rail network employee hit by train at suburban Paris station
A female employee of RATP, the autonomous transit operator of Paris, was killed on Tuesday  while crossing the track at a designated foot crossing in Bourg-la-Reine station, 6 miles south of central Paris, she was struck by a regional RER train on the RER B line, she was working  for the GPSR (groupement de protection et de securisation des reseaux) division of RATP. 2nd July 2008.
South Africa
Farm worker's hand severed in unguarded harvester
A farm worker is recovering in Bophelang Hospital in Mafikeng(previously Mafeking) after losing his hand while working with a ground nut harvesting machine at a farm in Delareyville, his clothing became snagged and pulled him off balance, drawing his hand into the machinery whose blades were unguarded. 2nd July 2008.
Iran
 Unstable building collapse kills 19
At least 19 people have died following the collapse of an unstable building in the Sa'adatabad district of north Teheran, throughout the month of June the occupants failed to heed warnings of its structural weakness, on Monday the authorities in Teheran made 5 arrests, including the owner, in connection with the incident.
Elsewhere, an explosion of gas tanks occurred at the Mohammad-Shahr gas processing plant in Bidganeh, Shariar, initial reports indicated that 15 lives may have been lost but later reports suggested casualties were minimal. 1st July 2008.
Sudan
 Cargo plane crashes at Khartoum
An Ilyushin 76 cargo plane crashed on Monday shortly after take-off from Khartoum killing all 4 crew members, the flight, chartered by Ababiel and  bound for Juba, encountered difficulties immediately and struck an electricity pylon on take-off, bursting into flames and crashing within 1 mile of the airport. 1st July 2008.

 

  
Belgium
Exploding tyre kills vacation worker
A tyre exploded yesterday at a tyre depot in Kasterlee, east of Antwerp, killing a 17-year old student worker who was standing close by. 31st July 2008.
Germany
Orang-Utan drowns at Hamburg Zoo
The 10-year old Orang-Utan, Leila, drowned on Wednesday in the water feature surrounding her enclosure at Hamburg Zoo after attempting to retrieve a bread roll thrown short of the enclosure by a zoo visitor, despite posted warnings not to feed the animals. 31st July 2008.
France
Falling gable section kills joiner
A 47-year old joiner was killed on Tuesday when a timber gable section fell on him at a site in Mesquer, Loire-Atlantique, where the company from Saint-Lyphard is building a house. 30th July 2008.
USA
Fatal fall at Virginia site
An investigation has been launched into a fatal accident on Tuesday at the West Bridge Village construction project in Short Pump, 10 miles from Richmond, Virginia, where a worker laying flooring fell from a building. 30th July 2008.
Spain
 Unsecured worker falls during scaffold dismantling at Madrid site
A construction worker was hospitalised on Monday after falling from 4th floor level at the new Up-43 development on the Fuente Lucha estate in Alcobendas, Madrid, the accident occurred during dismantling of a scaffold which actually helped to break his fall. However, he is believed to have sustained a fractured skull and other serious injuries. Police on site indicated that no safety harness was being worn. As recently as last Monday a worker was killed in a lift accident in Alcobendas. 29th July 2008.
The Netherlands
Boy drowned in camp site pool slide accident
A 6-year old boy drowned at the weekend in an accident in the swimming pool at the Doornspijk camping site. He was found unconscious in the water just under a slide. Police investigating the accident are speculating that, given his light body weight, he came down the slide at such speed that he shot off the end and skimmed over the surface, sustaining serious head injuries on the side of the pool. He died shortly after being admitted to hospital in Zwolle. 28th July 2008.
France
Canyoning fatality in Basque area; woman missing in Jura accident
The body of a 34-year old member of a Spanish canyoning party has been recovered from an abyss into which he had fallen at Eaux Bonnes in the Pyrenees. The party of 4 had been connected by safety lines, the line may have been released as he was negotiating a waterfall.
Rescuers seeking a woman missing near Sainte-Claude, in the Jura, had to suspend the search such was the force of the Grosdar torrent on Sunday afternoon where she became detached from a canyoning party of 12, including professional instructors.  28th July 2008.
France
 Lift worker's death probed for illegal activity
The Public Prosecutor's Department has opened an inquiry into the death of a 47-year old Romanian who was allegedly working illegally when he was killed while undertaking maintenance work on Schindler lifts at a building on avenue Maine in the 14th arrondissement of Paris. 26th July 2008.
Kazakhstan
Gas cylinder explosion kills 5 site workers
An oxygen cylinder exploded on Thursday on the 12th floor of a new business centre under construction by Bazis-A in Astana in the north-central Akmola province,  5 construction workers have died and 4 others were injured. 25th July 2008.
Fiji
Passenger falls from festival Ferris Wheel
Occupational Health and Safety in Nadi have been informed of an accident at the Bula Festival where a 24-year old female passenger fell from the Ferris Wheel whose owner has already been interviewed by Nadi police. 25th July 2008.
Switzerland
4 killed in Wallis aircraft crash
A single-engine Robin light aircraft crashed on Wednesday just outside the village of Munster, in the Wallis canton, police have indicated that the pilot and 3 passengers have died in this accident. The plane had taken off from Munster airfield and had flown just half a mile when it came down. 24th July 2008.
Rep Ireland
Worker killed at Carlow agricultural plant
HSA is investigating a fatal accident at Keenans in Borris, County Carlow, where a 33-year old Ukrainian worker was killed in an accident while using equipment for cleaning steel in a maintenance building at the agricultural machinery plant. 23rd July 2008.
Bulgaria
Worker killed in fall from scaffold
A 50-year old construction worker has died in hospital in Razlog where he had been taken after falling from a scaffold on Tuesday at a site in Bansko, southwest Bulgaria. 23rd July 2008.
Bolivia
Venezuelan helicopter crash in Bolivian mountains
A Super Puma Venezuelan military helicopter has crashed at Colomi in the mountainous region of Cochabamba, 150 miles east of La Paz, all 5 persons on board are believed to have died. The flight had departed from Cochabamba for Cobija in the northeast Amazonian area.  22nd July 2008.
Kyrgyzstan
Tourist bus crashes in Tokmak, 10 killed
Ten passengers died and many others were injured yesterday when a bus carrying 49 Kazhak tourists from the Issyk-Kul highland lake resort to Almaty crashed on the Tokmak-Bishkek road near Tokmak, a criminal investigation has been launched. The bus was registered in Kyrgyzstan and driven by a Kyrgyz national. 22nd July 2008.
USA
New York refuse worker killed in fall from wagon
A seasonal refuse collector has been killed in a fall from the rear of a moving bin lorry in New York, the accident happened as the wagon was travelling south down Grand Boulevard by Vann Buren Street in Baldwin, Long Island. 21st July 2008.
South Africa
Elderly resident drowns at Limpopo village well
A 75-year old woman resident of Cottondale, Bushbuckridge, in Limpopo province, drowned last week while drawing water at a village well, this was the 3rd such death in 3 years in the village where alleged vandalism to boreholes has created a water shortage. 21st July 2008.
USA
New Jersey ride operator succumbs to injuries
The East European exchange student who was injured at Seaside Heights, New Jersey, at the weekend has now died. The 21-year old was working as a ride operator at Casino Pier and had entered a restricted area to retrieve a customer's hat when he was struck by the Star Jet Coaster. 18th July 2008.
Spain
Tyre blow-out, marble plant and cement works fatalities
The blow-out of a giant tyre on a vehicle used to lift boats from the water to dry dock at Club Nautico, El Campello, inflicted blunt force trauma injuries which killed a 47-year old shipyard worker at the yard 8 miles north of Alicante, a colleague has been hospitalised with chest injuries.
Elsewhere in Alicante yesterday a worker died from injuries after a 250Kg section of marble fell on him at a works in Novelda.
At Puerto de la Luz in Gran Canaria a worker died on Thursday after being drawn into machinery at a cement works at the Leon & Castillo bay. 18th July 2008.
USA
Wisconsin parks worker killed in overturning mower accident
A 31-year old Brown County Parks Department worker has been killed in an accident in which a mowing machine he was operating overturned and pinned him in an 8-metre deep ditch, the accident occurred close to Fox River Trail in Holland, on Lake Michigan, where one of the front wheels went over the edge of an embankment. 17th July 2008.
Switzerland
Swimmer struck by Zurichsee ferry
A female swimmer has been hospitalised with severe injuries after being struck by a boat of the Zurichsee Schiffartsgesellschaft (ZSG) which was reversing out of Enge harbour on the Zurich See bound for Burkiplatz. 17th July 2008.
Kosovo
KFOR helicopter crashes in Mitrovica
A KFOR (Kosovo Force) helicopter crashed in a field on Tuesday near Jagnjenica, Zubin Potok, in the Mitrovica district of northern Kosovo, it apparently struck high power lines in flight or after a technical problem occurred, no reports of injuries are available. 16th July 2008.
Bulgaria
Toxic incident at Black Sea resort hotel
An investigation is underway into a toxic poisoning incident at the Palace Hotel between Ravda and the Black Sea resort of Nesebar which left 3 guests hospitalised for the treatment of methane and sulphur dioxide poisoning, the ventilation and building materials are under scrutiny, the patients' lives are not in danger. 16th July 2008.
England
 Coy fined for plumber's fall at Haringey council flat
Homes for Haringey has been fined £10K plus £3,562 costs at City of London Magistrates' Court for breaching section 2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 in respect of an accident in which a trainee plumber of Haringey Council fell 3m through a skylight.
On January 18th 2007, the plumber was working in the loft of a council property when he fell through a skylight covered by loft insulation and sustained spinal injuries which kept him off work for a year. An HSE inspector criticised the absence of a simple safe system of work, namely securing the boards to create a stable working platform and crawling boards to afford access over unboarded areas of loft. 15th July 2008.
Germany
2 extreme runners die on Zugspitz course
Exhaustion and hypothermia claimed the lives of 2 extreme sportsmen participating in the 8th Extreme Mountain event on the Zugspitz  organised by Get Going in Garmisch-Partenkirchen on Sunday.
The 600 participants encountered snow and freezing temperatures, as forewarned at the end of the week by the organisers, as they set off from an altitude of 2,051m to tackle the 16.1km course. The fatalities occurred near the Knorrhutte refuge at 2,962m where desperate reanimation attempts were made by paramedics. Runners target a top time of 2hrs 3mins to cover the course over which a climber would take 9 hours. 14th July 2008.
Somalia
Ransom freed kidnapped cargo boat
According to reports from Nairobi a sum of $750K(478K euros) was paid by the European freight enterprise of Karl Lehmann to secure the release of the vessel Lehmann Timber and its 15-man crew which had been taken prisoner by heavily armed pirates in late May as it was sailing from the Indian Ocean towards the Suez Canal.
All 15 crew members, a Russian captain, 4 Ukrainian officers and 10 seamen from Myanmar (Burma) and Estonia, were uninjured following the 41-day confinement. 14th July 2008.
The Netherlands
 Rotterdam crane operator killed
A crane operator was killed in an accident on Thursday at the Prins Alexander site on Prinsenlaan, Rotterdam, when the crane collapsed during work at a multi-storey development. The upper section of the crane was inclined over the top of the building and it is speculated that the operator leaped out, he was discovered there later by the police. 11th July 2008.
Switzerland
Driver injured during site clearance
A lorry driver was badly injured in an accident on Thursday at a new social project site in Grenzach after being struck by a large section of timber weighing 40Kg which had become dislodged by an excavator which had just scooped up a pile of rubble. 11th July 2008.
Australia
Worker killed by 3-tonne concrete falling off fork lift
An unstable concrete section being transported by a fork lift truck fell and killed a worker at Brick & Block Manufacturing in Port Kembla, the 3-tonne section had been raised and the fork lift was reversing when it fell off and pinned a worker against a wall and under its weight. 10th July 2008.
France
 Investigation into child's death in supervised swim zone
An investigation is studying how a 5-year old girl came to drown in a water feature designated for supervised swimming at Roeschwoog, Alsace, another swimmer came across the unconscious child who was taken to hospital in Strasbourg but could not be revived. 10th July 2008.
Germany
ICE hits lorry in Pfalz track work zone
An ICE express train travelling from Paris to Frankfurt struck a lorry by a work zone outside Kaiserslautern on Tuesday evening, no serious injuries have been reported. It is believed that the lorry was attempting to turn in the work zone but became trapped in loose gravel with a section of its cabin projecting over the track, the train was unable to stop despite a warning signal being activated. 9th July 2008. 
Bulgaria
Air Force plane crash lands at Varna
A Spartan C27 J aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force was badly damaged on landing on Tuesday at Varna airport on completion of a flight from Plovdiv, a propeller was broken on impact but no injuries to the crew were reported. 9th July 2008.
Japan
Search for missing media helicopter
A search was ongoing through Monday in foggy conditions in the sea off Cape Oma, the northernmost promontory of Honshu, where a media helicopter chartered by Asahi Broadcasting Aomori (ABA) disappeared into the sea after take-off from Aomori Airport, the flight chartered from Ogawa Air Inc comprised of 2 pilots and an ABA presenter and cameraman. 8th July 2008.
New Zealand
Dust explosion at fibreboard plant
A 30-year old employee of Dongwha Patinna sustained serious burns injuries at the weekend following a dust explosion at the fibreboard plant near Mataura, Southland, Department of Labour officials are investigating the accident which appears to have been caused by the spontaneous combustion of wood dust in a hot duct pipe, the victim was in close proximity to a manhole when the blow-out occurred. 7th July 2008.
USA
Fatal fall at Honolulu water plant
A subcontract worker of Commercial Roofing has died in a 14-metre fall in Halawa, Honolulu, where he was working on a project at the Menehune Water Company. 7th July 2008.
USA
 Contractor electrocuted at Wal-Mart Missouri store
A worker was electrocuted in the early hours of Thursday at the Wal-Mart superstore in Kirksville, northeast Missouri, where Timberland Lighting of Illinois is undertaking contract work. 4th July 2008.
USA
Flash-over incident in Georgia
A flash-over accident involving an oxygen tank left 3 workers with severe burns on Wednesday at Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah, local fire crews assisted airport firefighters when combustible material ignited in F building where forklift maintenance is undertaken. 3rd July 2008.
China
Girls killed in fall into open sewage tank in Shanghai
An uncovered sewage tank at a site on Jinqiao Road in the Qingpu district of Shanghai led to the deaths of 2 girls aged 4 and 5 who fell in while playing there. 3rd July 2008.
Indonesia
Improvised fishing stun bomb kills 2 Banten fishermen
The explosion of an improvised fishing bomb in a cabin in Pandegland, 40 miles west of Jakarta, has killed 2 fishermen. It remains unknown whether the device exploded during manufacture or after completion, the improvisation of such explosive devices of sulphur and fertiliser to stun fish is illegal in Indonesia but is a common practise. 2nd July 2008.
Mexico
Worker killed in trench collapse
A 28-year old employee of the Organismo Descentralizado de Agua y Saneamiento was killed yesterday in an unstable excavation in the San Antonio barrio of San Vicente, Chicoloapan, another 40-year old worker was rescued from the trench at a site where a new sports ground is being developed beside San Efren Street.  2nd July 2008.
India
 Double fatality during oxygen cylinder filling at Delhi plant
An explosion during the filling of oxygen cylinders at Seema Air Products in Sector 3, Noida (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority), southeast Delhi, killed 2 workers aged 50 and 35, another worker was injured in Monday's accident. 1st July 2008.
 
Indonesia
Tainted sopi kills 19 Thai fishermen
The number of visiting Thai fishermen who have died from imbibing tainted Sopi, a mix of coconut oil and methylated alcohol, has risen to 19, the incident arose after their boats berthed in Merauke, Papua. Almost 100 others have been hospitalised with symptoms worsening daily. 31st July 2008.
France
Tractor accident leaves 6-year old in critical condition
A 6-year old boy was critically injured yesterday after becoming caught between a tractor and trailer on a farm at Jarnosse, in the Loire region. His 4-year old brother had disengaged the hand brake which caused the tractor to roll slowly backwards and jump start, only being halted when it hit the farmhouse wall. 31st July 2008.
Macedonia
Government phases in smoking ban
The government has passed a new law banning smoking in public places such as halls, waiting rooms and offices from October, with fines  of €1,600-4,000 for non-compliance by business and €700 for individuals. The ban will be extended to cover bars and nightclubs from January 2010. 31st July 2008.
Hungary
Large WW2 bomb under old Budapest building
The discovery of a 2-tonne WW2 bomb at the site of a former industrial mill in the 9th district of Budapest led to a 1km-clearance zone and the evacuation of 16K people on the Pest side of the city on Tuesday, with the work expected to continue until late into the evening to defuse the bomb dropped by the Americans over 60 years ago.
The authorities are getting practice with this work, earlier in the month a 500Kg bomb containing 300Kg of TNT and amatol was discovered at a site in the city's 13th district. 30th July 2008.
USA
Unsafe gate kills Kentucky watchman
A security guard has been killed by a falling 250Kg gate at Echo Tech's premises in London, Kentucky. The 50-year old watchman had noticed the gate ajar, but after apparently being secured, the gate fell on him just as he turned away. 30th July 2008.
Rep Ireland
Electrocution at Mayo farm site
The boom of a crane-mounted lorry contacted high power lines during the loading of materials at a Mayo farm building site in Meelick, Swinford, which led to the electrocution of a worker engaged in the loading. 30th July 2008.
India
2 killed in temporary scaffold collapse at Noida site
Police in Delhi are filing a case of death by negligence under Section 304A in respect of an accident which occurred on Sunday at Noida (New Okhla Industrial Development Authority), southeast Delhi, where a temporary steel structure collapsed, causing the deaths of 2 workers and injuries to 4 others who fell 24 metres while maintaining signage at The Great India Place, one of the country's largest retail centres owned by International Recreation Parks Private Ltd who had engaged subcontractors for the maintenance work. 28th July 2008.
Romania
 Sawmill dust explosion
A dust explosion at a timber mill in Gheorgheni, northern Romania, has injured 23 workers, 9 of whom have severe burns, 1 with critical 50% burns. 28th July 2008.
Canada
15-year old worker buried under hot asphalt at Manitoba site
A 15-year old Manitoba worker was killed on Friday after being covered in a load of hot asphalt deposited from a lorry in Stony Mountain, north of Winnipeg. He was standing at the rear of the lorry from which Interlake Asphalt was depositing a load of asphalt for various municipal road repairs. The worker was assisting with the activities, the load buried him, only the top of his head was visible. 26th July 2008.
Iceland
Tourists unaware of unpredictable swell and waves
Tour operators and guides are urging the authorities to erect signs warning of heavy swell and rogue waves at hazardous points on the south Icelandic coast. This week at Dyrholaey, the southernmost coastal promontory which features rock pillars and an arch of black lava, 5 German tourists were drawn into the ocean by a large wave, 3 managed to rescue themselves, 2 others were only saved by opportune life-saving by another tourist. Last year, a Pennsylvanian tourist drowned at Reynisfjara, where  a black pebble beach features basalt column sea stacks. The dangers posed by unpredictable swell and waves are not perceived by tourists who see no warning signs or life-saving equipment. 26th July 2008.
USA
Fatal accident at Indiana metals plant
A fatal accident occurred on Thursday at the Berlin Metals plant in Hammond, northwest Indiana, where a 52-year old worker sustained blunt force trauma injuries after being struck by a machine, the plant produces Tin Mill plate and sheet products in slit coil form. 25th July 2008.
New Zealand
Fire crews counter risk of arsenic exposure
Fire crews tackling yesterday's blaze at Regal Castings in Mt Eden, Auckland, took the precautionary measures of deploying an industrial fan to diffuse toxic fumes and also availed themselves of portable showers to counter any risk of arsenic exposure, given that arsenic is used in gold smelting at the factory which casts precious metals. 25th July 2008.
Canada
Ontario company fined $65K for unguarded machine accident
An Ontario court has fined Stellarc Precision Bar $65K(£32,395) following an accident 2 years ago in which a worker sustained serious crush injuries after being drawn into unguarded machinery at its premises on Wayne Gretzy Parkway, Brantford.
In February 2006, a worker's clothing became snagged by a rotating steel bar released from a straightening machine, his snagged clothing saw him drawn onto a section of the machinery.
The company pleaded guilty as an employer to failing to ensure that equipment, material and protective devices were in place as required by the Occupational Health & Safety Act. Ministry of Labour investigation found the straightening machine to be without guards. 24th July 2008.
USA
Accident investigation in West Virginia
Investigators are studying a fatal accident at Eagle Manufacturing in Wellsburg, West Virginia, where a 57-year man fell 7 metres through a warehouse roof. 24th July 2008.
USA
Iowa grain silo fatality
A crush fatality has occurred at Ag Processing Co-operative outside Sergeant Bluff, Sioux City, west Iowa, where a 20-year worker was killed when grain shifted in a silo there, 5 other workers were injured. 23rd July 2008.
Spain
Worker killed during lift installation in Madrid
A worker has died when a cable broke during installing of a service lift at premises in Alcobendas, Madrid, the 32-year old worker for Ascensores Express, under contract to Uicesa, was inside the lift which fell 20 metres, and was then trapped under a detached metal panel.
This was the 75th national workplace fatality of 2008. 23rd July 2008.
Paraguay
Children missing in Parana after boat sinks
Hope is fading of finding alive the 3 children missing in the Rio Parana from a boat which sank in rough water late on Monday. A family of 2 adults and 6 children had gone out in the boat from Puerto Triunfo to cross over to Puerto Rico, in the Misiones province of Argentina, but the craft became swamped and overturned as the weather worsened. 23rd July 2008.
USA
Flyover parade B-52H crashes NW of Guam
A US Air Force B-52H aircraft of the Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, has crashed some 30 miles northwest of Apra Harbour, Guam, having flown to Andersen Air Force Base to participate in a flyover commemorating Liberation Day 21st July 1944, marking the end of Guam's occupation by the Japanese Imperial Army. Initially 2 crew members were rescued, their condition was unknown. 22nd July 2008.
South Africa
Fatal accident at Mpumalanga parachute jump
A 27-year old female parachutist died on Sunday in a 100-metre fall when her parachute failed during a competition at Weetgekraal farm in Bapsfontein, Mpumalanga. 21st July 2008.
England
Northumbria printer fined for unguarded machine accident
Printers Britton Decoflex Ltd of Hartlepool have been fined £6,383 after pleading guilty to safety breaches in respect of an accident in which a 20-year old Polish worker lost the tip of a finger and broke a hand in moving rollers of machinery. On July 17th 2007, he had climbed  a ladder to clean an ink spillage at the print station. However, the cloth in his hand was drawn into the unguarded rollers, guards were not working on account of a malfunctioning switch which required maintenance. 21st July 2008.
Malta
Simshar fisherman rescued, but 2 dead, 2 missing
The vessel Brecale has picked up 1 of the 5 fishermen from the fishing boat Simshar which went missing last week between Malta and Lampedusa, 2 of the other crew members have been recovered dead, 2 others are missing. 21st July 2008.
South Korea
North Korean killed as unstable steelwork collapses
Structural steelwork collapsed at the site of a new South Korean fibre manufacturer on the Gaesong Industrial Complex killing a North Korean worker and injuring 4 others, speculative comment has suggested that heavy rains may have undermined the foundations. 18th July 2008.
Wales
Unfastened seatbelt saves farmer in tractor accident
A 35-year old Powys farm worker survived a tractor accident by dint of not wearing a seatbelt. After the tractor became unstable on a steep gradient at Cil Haul Farm, Trefeglwys, he was pitched out of the bouncing vehicle prior to its 900-metre rollover down a steep embankment, which would have claimed his life. 18th July 2008.
Sweden
Gothenburg fairground and Stockholm building site accidents
The Swedish Work Environment Authority (Arbetsmiljoverket) was inspecting the Kista Galleria shopping centre site in Stockholm on Wednesday where a fatal accident occurred after 3 people fell from an arch at the Hantsavagen extension of the site, 1 died and 2 others have been hospitalised.
An investigation has also been launched into an accident involving the Rainbow Ride at the Liseberg entertainment park in Gothenburg which saw 40 people hurt, some with serious injuries.   17th July 2008.
Australia
Fatal crush accident in Melbourne suburb
A fatal accident has occurred on Wednesday at Ninks Road, St Andrews, northeast of Melbourne, where a man was crushed between a crane and a lorry trailer. 17th July 2008.
South Africa
Fatal  accident at Kloof gold mine
A fatal accident occurred early on Tuesday at the Gold Fields Kloof mine, the main shaft has ceased operations pending investigation and a risk assessment. 16th July 2008.
Philippines
Steel erector killed at Hanjin shipyard
A 31-year old steel erector of Subic Hansung Inc was killed after being struck in the back by an unstable 8-tonne girder in an accident at Assembly Shop C of Hanjin Heavy Industries Corp -Philippines (HHIC-Phil), this is the 13 fatality at the shipyard since 2006. 15th July 2008.
The Netherlands
Marburg fatality linked to Uganda visit
A 40-year old Dutch woman who has died of Marburg disease had visited the Maramagambo Forest of Uganda in June, a location of bat colonies in caves there. The contraction could also have occurred from rodents or monkeys, from urine, waste or sweat.
The woman, who worked at Philips in Eindhoven, was admitted to hospital last Saturday in Helmond and later transferred to Leiden, this has been the first known Marburg case coming to Europe from Africa in 41 years. 14th July 2008.
Germany
Major fleet inspection following derailment
Following the derailment last Wednesday of an ICE train on a bridge just outside of Cologne, the DB (DeutschBundesbahn) has withdrawn from service many of its 67 ICE-3 fleet of trains pending ultrasound checks at 3 centres across Germany. DB has also announced a future 60Kkm( 6 weekly) check on wheels as opposed to the normal 300Kkm checks for certain maintenance items. Each wheel check takes 30 minutes, this will be the most significant rail investigation since the Eschede accident in 1998. 14th July 2008.
England
Special lift to free trapped Hants worker
A Polish subcontract worker has been hospitalised in Southampton with non-life-threatening injuries after being struck by a falling girder at the new Marchwood Power site in Hampshire. Specially trained fire crews deployed hand-operated winches and an airbag with a hoisting capacity of 56 tonnes to free the victim. 11th July 2008.
India
Demolition fatality in Chennai
A wall collapsed during demolition work of an old property on Vanniyar Street in Choolaimedu, Chennai, killing a worker who was working alone at the time of the accident. 11th July 2008.
Austria
 Robotic arm drills screw into worker's cheek
A 20-year old female employee at Magna-Auteca Werk in Kottendorf, Steyr, underwent emergency surgery and further plastic surgery in Graz following an accident on Wednesday in which her head became pressed against a working surface and a screw began to drill into her cheek from a robotic arm. Another worker had unwittingly disabled a safety mechanism while he was performing maintenance on it. 10th July 2008.
Germany
 ICE derails on Cologne's Hohenzollernbrucke
 An ICE train derailed on Wednesday on the Hohenzollern bridge spanning the Rhine in Cologne, no injuries were reported, the Munich - Dortmund train had just left the central station and was travelling at low speed when it derailed. 10th July 2008.
Norway
Arctic research base abandoned to melting ice
An emergency evacuation is being arranged for Russian scientists from an Arctic research base 75 miles north of Svalbard where melting ice  is proving too hazardous for the project's safe continuation. When the researchers established the base in September 2007 the ice range was 10 miles, this has now reduced to just 600 metres. 9th July 2008.
USA
Fatal fall at Chattanooga plant
A fatal fall occurred on Tuesday at the Alston Plant on Main Street, Chattanooga, where a 48-year old worker has died in a 14-metre fall from a platform.  9th July 2008.
France
Patient killed in jump from ambulance in Brittany
A psychiatric patient has died after jumping from a moving ambulance and being struck by a car on the RN 12 highway at St Brieuc, he was being taken to Guingamp, an ambulance man was badly injured in the incident. 8th July 2008.
China
CO poisoning kills 21 Shanxi miners
A gas explosion has killed at least 21 miners at the Wujiu mine in the Nanjiao district of Shanxi, although 11 miners managed to flee the accident the exact number working at the time was unknown. 7th July 2008.
South Africa
 Transport fatality at east Rand gold mine
The Department of Minerals & Energy is investigating a fatal accident which occurred yesterday at Pamodzi Gold's East Rand operation where a locomotive guard was killed after being struck by a hopper at the K12 work area. 4th July 2008.
USA
Forklift accident at Ohio packaging plant
A worker at Pro-Pak Industries on Ford Street in Maumee, Toledo, has been admitted to hospital after being struck by a forklift truck, his condition is unknown. 3rd July 2008.
Scotland
£200K fine after worker's ear severed at quarry
Lafarge Cement UK plc, formerly Blue Circle Industries, were fined £200K after pleading guilty to failing to provide employees with adequate training, instruction and supervision and failing to make a suitable risk assessment in respect of an accident at a site in Dunbar, East Lothian, where a worker lost an ear after falling into a motor's electrical cooling fan.
On January 29th 2007, the victim, a welder, was working on a motor on the quarry's stacker machine which crushes limestone when he became caught in the uncovered fan when it was activated. The company's guilty plea saw the fine scaled down from £300K. 2nd July 2008.
Switzerland
 Worker's 5-metre fall at Basle site
A worker was seriously injured on Monday in a 5-metre fall at a building site in Binningen, Basle. 1st July 2008.
 
England
Exploding tyre kills workman
A man died yesterday when the HGV tyre he was fitting exploded, inflicting a head injury as he worked at the premises of Chilton Grain Ltd in Sudbury, Suffolk. One report suggests he was the employee of a tyre fitting company. 31st July 2008.
England
Suspended cradle collapse killed 1 and injured 3
Bradway Construction Ltd and Apollo Cradles Ltd of Barnsley have been fined over the death of one of the former's employees and the injury of 3 others in an industrial accident during maintenance and painting work on an office building in Sheffield on 3rd July 2003. All 4 were using a suspended access cradle provided by Apollo when it failed, causing them to fall from a height of 10 metres.
Apollo was fined £115,000 with £45,000 costs, Bradway was fined £25,000 with £18,000 costs.
An HSE Principal Inspector commented: "This is a tragic case involving 4 men who had never worked in a suspended access cradle before. The incident could have been avoided had Apollo Cradles Ltd ensured that the equipment it was providing was safe and fit for use. By failing to operate an effective maintenance regime and to properly examine the condition of the cradle, they betrayed the trust of workers whose lives depended on them.
Added to this, the workers were required by their employers, Bradway Construction Ltd, to carry out painting and maintenance at height in a cradle without any training or instruction as to its safe use. This is unacceptable in this day and age - all workers have a right to expect to be trained on how to use the equipment they are working with, and there is plenty of advice and guidance available to employers in the construction industry to help them meet their legal obligations." 30th July 2008.
Scotland
Woman killed in mine shaft fall
A 44-year old woman has died following a 15m fall down a shaft of former mine workings near her home in Galston, Ayrshire. Reports state that she may have fallen following ground subsidence while walking in the area to which the public have access. 28th July 2008.
Wales
Falling wall kills girl
A 3-year old girl has died after a garden retaining wall fell on top of her as she walked past it with her mother in Prestatyn, Denbighshire. 28th July 2008.
England
Fatal industrial accident in Derbyshire
A man in his 30's has died at the scene of an industrial accident in Duckmanton near Chesterfield. The accident occurred on Tuesday when the deceased's skip lorry overturned as a skip was being unloaded at the premises of Adis Scaffolding. 25th July 2008.
England
Flue problems puts company in court
Wates Construction Ltd of  Leatherhead, Surrey, has been fined £7,000 with £2,491 costs by Birmingham Magistrates after the integrity of warm air flues of a number of properties put residents in danger of carbon monoxide poisoning following roof work for which it was the Principal Contractor.
The flues, which vent through roof ridge terminals, were discovered to have been disrupted in 11 properties, potentially causing a build-up of  carbon monoxide in the loft space.  The roofing work was carried out by subcontractors working for Wates throughout June to September 2006. 24th July 2008.
England
 TMV not fitted to hospital bath
On 10th October 2007, an elderly patient was scalded in a bath that had been filled with water at approximately 55°C, sustaining burns which required 6 weeks of hospital treatment.
Investigation found the bath was 1 of 4 in the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford not fitted with a thermostatic mixing valve (TMV).
Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust was fined £8,000 with costs of £2,286, £500 in compensation, as well as a £15 victim surcharge at Oxford Magistrates' Court. 23rd July 2008.
Scotland
Buchan scrap yard accident
It is reported that an elderly man has sustained serious crush injuries under a trailer at a scrap yard on a farm northwest of Auchnagatt, Aberdeenshire. The industrial accident occurred yesterday morning, he was air-lifted to hospital in Aberdeen.
As the helicopter arrived an ongoing incident there required the evacuation of 150 employees following a spillage of formaldehyde. 22nd July 2008.
England
 Fatal accident at Yorkshire engineering works
It is reported that an employee of engineering company DavyMarkham has died following a forklift truck accident at its Sheffield premises. One account states that the forklift operator received crush injuries when a lifting operation went badly wrong as he negotiated a shipping container on Tuesday. 21st July 2008.
England
 Vehicle killed seaman at docks
A 33-year old Russian seaman was struck by a 'reach stacker' and sustained fatal injuries on Aldam Terminal at Goole quayside on 2nd October 2006. The vehicle, used to lift containers on board, struck the deceased who was responsible for overseeing the loading of his vessel, the MV Odin.
Transatlantic UK Ltd was fined £10,000 with costs of £7,442, having breached s.3 of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, dockside operations had not been well planned, an HSE official commented: "Employers must look carefully at the hazards and risks in their workplace and take steps to eliminate or reduce them. In this case the system of radio communication had failed which meant that workers were repeatedly putting themselves at risk by disembarking to check the even distribution of the vessel's cargo. Added to this there were no agreed working procedures for moving vehicles around the terminal, something which creates an obvious risk in busy, noisy dockside conditions where the movements of vehicles and pedestrians need to be clearly segregated." 18th July 2008.
England
 Council fined over workman's death
Dacorum Borough Council, Hemel Hempstead, has been fined £37,500 with £17,500 costs over failures to ensure the safety of its employees. During November 2006, a Council workman was helping plumbers working to fix a burst water main at a house, he clamped an electric cable thinking it was a domestic water main, but the property had a mains water pipe and electricity supply cable both of similar size and colour, and the cable ruptured, electrocuting him.
A cable avoidance tool (CAT) had not been used, an HSE official explained: “I hope this tragic incident makes it clear to employers that they need to take positive steps to risk assess the obvious hazards involved with underground work, such as electricity and gas, and to manage them. They must ensure that staff are properly trained in the use of detection equipment, such as a CAT, and are aware of the potential risks involved in this type of work”. 17th July 2008.
England
 Workman contacted 400V conductor
A construction worker picked up an item of what he thought was rubbish during site clearance and received burns from what was a 400V cable. His employer, Hogarth (Construction) Ltd of South Cave, Yorkshire, was aware of the presence of live cables but neglected to inform its workforce or take the correct steps required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and the Electricity at Work Regulations to ensure safety. It was fined £4,000 plus £1,616 costs for the failures on the North Ferriby site during September 2006. 16th July 2008.
England
 Rail worker killed
It is reported that a man working for the rail contractor Leda Rail was killed in an industrial accident near Rugby station, Warwickshire, on Saturday. 15th July 2008.
Scotland
Open hatch trapped elderly woman
An 89-year old woman fell down a floor hatch in her house, the opening left unprotected as men worked on gas pipes. She fell nearly 2 metres beneath the floor of her kitchen just behind its door.
Contractor Progas Heating Ltd of Denny, Stirlingshire, was fined £5,000 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court, an HSE Inspector explained: "Contractors must take positive steps to prevent any incident by implementing a safe system of work approach where all holes are barriered or covered to ensure the safety of all persons whether occupants or visitors. This was a wholly preventable incident, which has greatly affected the householder, and it could very well have proved fatal.” 14th July 2008.
England
 Safety failures revealed by inquest
A 24-year old worker at Transition International Ltd of Sheffield died in March 2007 of 80% burns after water inside a furnace used to melt scrap metal exploded.
An inquest jury returned a narrative verdict, having found the deceased may have survived the industrial accident had he been wearing  protective clothing. The accident may not have occurred had he been made aware of the danger of allowing contaminants to enter the furnace or had benefited from formal information, training and instruction. 11th July 2008.
Scotland
Lift shaft death fall
A resident at the Cube Housing Association's flats in the Wyndford area of  Maryhill, Glasgow, has died after falling down a lift shaft. The deceased, aged 32, fell 25m during the early hours of Wednesday, reports suggest the lift had broken down and was stationary at the time. 10th July 2008.
Northern Ireland
Farming fatal accident
It is reported that a farmer died following an accident on Sunday at a farm near Moneymore, County Londonderry, it is stated in one report that a tractor was involved. 9th July 2008.
England
 Care home resident perishes in fire
A man has died following a fire at The Hockeridge care home in Westgate-on-Sea, Kent.
The outbreak started on the 1st floor of the 3-storey building on Sunday evening at around 11pm, another person required hospital treatment, 25 residents were evacuated. 8th July 2008.
England
 Man dies 3 weeks after industrial accident
It is reported that the man who fell 6 metres from a mobile elevating work platform while working on overhead cables on the permanent way between Norwich and London at Margaretting, Essex, on June 11th has now died.
The platform of the equipment is believed to have detached from the arm supporting it, 2 of the deceased's colleagues sustained injury. 7th July 2008.
England
 Legionnaires' disease claimed 2 lives
HP Bulmer Ltd of Staines, Middlesex, has been fined over a failure to institute and maintain an effective cleansing treatment and disinfectant regime for 2 seasonally used cooling towers, at its Cider Mills, Plough Lane site in Hereford. Its specialist contractors, Nalco Ltd, of Northwick, Cheshire, were also fined £300,000 with costs of £50,000 over the 2003 outbreak which resulted in 26 cases of Legionnaires' disease, 2 of whom died. 4th July 2008.
England
 Apprentice's fatal  fall through fragile roof
S. Cartwright & Sons (Coachbuilders) Ltd of Altrincham, Greater Manchester, has been fined £7,000 with £17,376 costs after a 16-year old employee fell through a fragile roof in February 2006 while attempting to retrieve a football during a lunch break.
An HSE official commented: "The dangers of fragile roofs are not always apparent, so access routes to roofs should be appropriately marked. Additionally, access to the roof should be restricted to employees and contractors with adequate knowledge and training in working at height." 3rd July 2008.
England
 Health trust fined over fatal scalding
A vulnerable 68-year old man died following a March 2004 incident in which he was scalded and suffered a heart attack. The resident of the care home in Stechford had admitted himself to the bathroom, locked its door and entered a bath with water at 95ºC.
Investigation found the home lacked an understanding of his specific needs and an efficient, working means of controlling the supply of water to the bath. Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust was fined £25,000 with over £9,000 costs. 2nd July 2008.
Wales
Glamorgan roof plunge boy critical
The 15-year old boy who fell through the fragile roof of industrial premises in Loughor remains in a critical condition. The incident occurred on Saturday evening. 2nd July 2008.
England
 Perilous work with petrol
On 12th December 2005, a mechanic working on a vehicle's fuel system at Alexanders of Twickenham Ltd was beginning to drain it when his clothing caught fire, inflicting serious burns to which he later succumbed. Alexanders were fined £20,000 with costs of £16,905, an HSE official later commented that the company had failed in its duties to its employees, having no risk assessment for fire and explosions, a lack of safety measures for this type of work and failing to ensure that all staff were suitably trained. 1st July 2008.