USA
Wisconsin workers overcome in
adhesive rich atmosphere
A confined space accident occurred
at Vivid Image, a video equipment manufacturing plant in Theresa,
Wisconsin, where a 55-year old worker died and a 65-year old colleague
was hospitalised after being found in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere
pervaded by a strong odour of glue and adhesive.
30th November 2011
|
Italy
Worker fractures skull in fall at church
A Florentine worker has been
hospitalised in Torregalli with a fractured skull after falling
4 metres while installing lights at the San Colombano church in
Scandicci, 4 miles southwest of Florence.
30th November 2011
|
Italy
Steam blast kills Abruzzo paper mill worker
A 50-year old night shift worker has died in an accident at the Burgo
paper mill in Avezzano, Abruzzo, when a valve burst and he was struck
by an issue of steam.
29th November 2011
|
Japan
Squid fisherman missing after Tsushima Strait boat collision
A crew man of the No18 Kairyo Maru, a 16-tonne squid fishing boat, is
missing, presumed drowned, after the boat sank following a collision
with a South Korean cargo boat in the Tsushima Strait, 35 miles east
of Tsushima, the force of the impact split the Kairyo and saw it sink
rapidly. There were reports of the Korean vessel managing to rescue
other Kairyo crew members.
29th November 2011
|
Kuwait
Worker decapitated in lift shaft accident
A 31-year old construction worker was decapitated in an accident at
the weekend on a newbuild site on Salhiya Street, Kuwait City. He had
opened the door leading into a lift shaft when the lift fell on him as
he looked in. 28th
November 2011
|
Italy
Umbria farm worker crushed by tractor shovel
A 23-year old Romanian worker was killed yesterday in a crush accident
involving an agricultural vehicle with a mechanical shovel at
premises in Collazone, Umbria.
28th November 2011
|
France
Falling lift kills Parisian engineer, 3 others injured
A lift engineer of Euro Ascenseur was killed and 3 others were injured
yesterday when a lift fell down on to them as they worked in the shaft
at the Salvation Army building on rue Crespin du Gast in Paris.
Initial reports seemed unsure of the number but fire crews spoke of 4
workers in the shaft, the injured were all listed in critical
condition, one was in a coma.
25th November 2011
|
USA
Auger accident leads to leg amputation
A 31-year old worker of Treehouse
Almonds in Delano, California, has had to have a leg amputated after
an accident while carrying out maintenance work on an auger.
25th November 2011
|
New Zealand
Helicopter crashes installing Auckland Xmas tree
The pilot of a B2 Squirrel helicopter had a remarkable escape when his
craft struck scaffold cables as he was attempting to install a
Christmas tree on the waterfront in Auckland. He emerged virtually
unscathed from the crashed helicopter which was carrying 200 litres of
fuel, the accident is under investigation by the Civil Aviation
Authority. 24th
November 2011
|
Chile
Worker killed in Linares trench collapse
A 39-year old construction worker, an employee of Albornoz, has died
after being covered in debris when an unstable excavation collapsed at
a site on La Reserva, Caliboro. Colleagues managed to hand dig him
free and transfer him to the Consultario Rural in Caliboro where he
later died of his injuries.
24th November 2011
|
Sweden
Worker's fingers severed in meat processing machine
Arbetsmiljoverket, the Work Environment Authority, has been advised of
a serious accident on Tuesday at the Scana AB meat processing plant in
Skara where a worker had 2 fingers severed in processing machinery.
It is speculated that a blockage had occurred and the worker had first
put his hand down into a meat grinder to clear the blockage. After
this proved unsuccessful, he placed his hand inside from the underside
of the processor while it was still active.
23rd November 2011
|
USA
Snagged clothing draws mill owner into drive shaft
The proprietor of Shamrock Mills, an agricultural feed mill in
Shamokin, Pennsylvania, is listed in critical condition in hospital
after an accident on the mill's 3rd floor here he was drawn into a
drive shaft in which his clothing snagged.
23rd November 2011
|
Switzerland
Mask proved ineffective in confined space incident
A confined space incident claimed the life of a worker yesterday at
the Syngenta plant in Monthey where he died in an oxygen-deficient
atmosphere in a chemical tank into which he had descended to retrieve
a dropped tool. He was wearing a respiratory mask but the standard was
insufficient for the toxicity of the atmosphere.
22nd November 2011
|
England
Crush accident on River Mersey
A crew man of the MV Cameron which is used for buoy handling in the
Mersey estuary was admitted to University Hospital Aintree in
Liverpool last night following a crush accident on the river in the
afternoon when he became pinned between a buoy being lifted by crane
and the Cameron's ventilator. His condition was not known.
22nd November 2011
|
USA
Snagged clothing drew worker into wood chipper
An Illinois arborist's clothing snagged in wood chipping equipment as
he was feeding cut timber into it at a work site in Belleville,
drawing him into the equipment head-first, the 54-year old worker's
colleagues were unable to save him.
21st November 2011
|
Australia
NSW care home fire leaves 7 dead, nurse charged with
arson
A 35-year old male nurse will appear at Parramatta Bail Court
today(Saturday) charged with 4 counts of murder over alleged arson in
a New South Wales nursing home fire. The fire appeared to have a
double locus at the rear of the building.
At least 7 elderly residents
of the Quakers Hill Nursing Home died in the fire there, many others
were injured and 14 were listed in intensive care with severe burns.
Fire crews tackling the blaze referred to chaotic scenes with extreme
smoke logging in premises lacking a sprinkler system.
19th November 2011
|
Italy
Jacked car falls on motor mechanic
A 49-year old Ligurian motor mechanic was admitted to Santa Corona
Hospital in Pietra Ligure with head and thorax injuries yesterday when
a Mini Cooper under which he was working fell on him, it is speculated
that either a jack failed or had been incorrectly positioned. Most of
his body was not directly under the vehicle, initial report was that
he was severely injured but not in life-threatening condition.
18th November 2011
|
USA
Guam forklift operator crushed lifting old bus
A worker was crushed to death in a forklift truck accident on the
Harmon Industrial Park in Harmon, Guam. It appears that the 48-year
old worker was using a heavy duty forklift to lift an old bus but the
forklift became unstable during the operation and overturned. OSHA has
despatched an investigator to the locus from Honolulu. It remained
unclear on whose property the accident had taken place and who was the
owner of the forklift or if the accident had been reported to OSHA
within the mandatory 8-hour period of occurrence.
18th November 2011
|
USA
Falling material kills Chicago site worker
Chicago Fire Department attended a fatal accident on Wednesday at a
site in East 79th Street in the south of the city where a falling
material, either a steel section or wall, killed a construction
worker. 17th
November 2011
|
New Zealand
Vehicle collision severs forklift driver's leg
A Northland worker is listed in stable condition in Whangarei Hospital
after his leg was severed in an accident at Carter Holt Harvey's LVL
plant at Marsden Point where his forklift truck was involved in a
collision with a larger vehicle.
17th November 2011
|
Germany
Crush fatality at Saxony station
A crush accident occurred on Tuesday morning in the shunting yard at
Oelsnitz station in Vogtland where a 58-year old rail worker died
after being pinned between a locomotive and rail wagon, it was unclear
whether he was engaged in coupling.
16th November 2011
|
Germany
Falling bricks kill Munich site worker
A pallet of bricks fell on top of a 43-year old construction worker on
the ground floor of a 2-storey building in Bierbaum Street in Munich
on Tuesday. Colleagues managed to clear the debris away but he died
later in the day of his injuries. None of the other 12 workers were
injured. 16th
November 2011
|
China
9 killed in restaurant LPG explosion
Gas leaked from an LPG cylinder at a fast food outlet in Xi'an,
Shaanxi, at the beginning of the Monday morning rush hour. The ensuing
explosion killed 9 people and injured 34 others, many of the victims
being passers-by.
15th November 2011
|
Spain
Crane load falls on Madrid site worker
A load of material fell from 11th storey level during hoisting by
crane at a new build site on Avenida de la Constitucion in Coslada,
Madrid, killing a 52-year old worker on a scaffold, another 42-year
old worker was also injured in the accident and the crane driver is
being treated for shock.
This was the 79th workplace death in the Madrid region this year and
the 23rd in construction.
15th November 2011
|
Belgium
Spectators killed by car at Condroz rally
Two spectators were killed and at least 3 others were injured when the
Dutch driver of a Mitsubishi Evo participating in the Rallye du
Condroz lost control of the vehicle on a bend in Villers-le-Temple
where it struck several spectators. 14th November 2011
|
Sweden
Woman struck by aircraft propeller
SHK(Statens Haverikommissionen) who investigate transport accidents
are expected to be advised of a near fatal accident at the weekend in
which a woman in her 70's sustained life-threatening injuries after
being struck by an aircraft propeller at the Viared air field, Boras,
where she had walked out to meet guests from an aircraft, which was
stationary but with its engine running when the accident occurred.
14th November 2011
|
China
Yunnan gas incident kills 20 miners, another 23 trapped
A gas incident on Thursday at the Sizhuang Coal Mine in Qujing,
Yunnan, has left at least 20 miners dead, an intensive rescue effort
was ongoing throughout the day to reach a further 23 trapped miners.
Initially it was believed to have been a gas explosion but this was
subsequently revised to a leak or excessive accumulation of gas.
11th November 2011
|
Australia
Ammonia release at Orica plant
Orica has closed its ammonia nitrate tanks on Kooragang Island in
response to a leakage of 900Kg of ammonia in which 2 railway workers
were affected while working in the Mayfield East area of
Newcastle. Initial speculation pointed to a relief valve on a tank
opening 3 times under pressure. The Environment Protection Authority
has expressed its concern over the incident, given that there was a
hexavalent chromium release as recently as August.
11th November 2011
|
Serbia
Student pilot and flying instructor killed in air crash
A flying instructor and student were killed on Wednesday when their
Piper light aircraft crashed in Medveda, near Trstenik from where the
flight had departed. The Civil Aviation Directorate is investigating
the accident, it was speculated that the aircraft had struck power
lines. 10th
November 2011
|
South Africa
Worker dies fighting farm fire
A 23-year old Northern Cape agricultural worker died while fighting a
fire at a farm in Norvalspont, 3 other farm workers are being treated
for burns injuries.
10th November 2011
|
Italy
Falling marble severs Brescia mason's leg
The lower section of a stone mason's leg was severed yesterday when a
heavy section of marble fell on it at Bresciani Graniti on via
Scaiola, Nuvolera. A colleague promptly transferred him by car to
Civile Hospital in Brescia from where an ambulance was later
dispatched to retrieve the severed section. It was thought that the
delay may have jeopardised the prospect of surgical re-attachment.
9th November 2011
|
USA
3rd Kentucky mining death in 10 days
The 7th Kentucky mining death of the year has occurred, on this
occasion at the Hubble
Mining Company's No.9 pit in Letcher County, East Kentucky, where a
47-year old foreman died after being struck by equipment. This was the
3rd state mining fatality in 10 days after 2 workers died in a West
Kentucky mine transport accident.
9th November 2011
|
USA
Connecticut construction worker crushed during site clearance
A Connecticut construction worker has died in a crush accident during
site clearance prior to work at a site on River Road, Lisbon. A tree
had been removed but the victim subsequently became pinned between an
excavator and another tree.
8th November 2011
|
Austria
Worker killed repairing stone breaking machinery
A 57-year old maintenance worker died on Monday in an accident while
working with stone breaking machinery at Steinbruch Bernstein in
Burgenland. The circumstances of the accident remain unclear but he
fell backwards and down 2 metres from the machinery.
8th November 2011
|
Japan
Boy's finger severs in shopping centre play area trampoline
A 3-year old Chiba boy has had the middle finger of his left hand
severed in an accident while playing on a trampoline in a shopping
centre play area in Naganumaharacho. The accident appears to
have occurred as he was in the act of leaving the trampoline when his
finger caught in a hole.
7th November 2011
|
Peru
San Martin worker killed in trench collapse
An unstable excavation collapsed in Sargento Tejada Street in
Moyobamba in the San Martin region of Peru, killing a 53-year old
construction worker who was buried under a tonne of rubble. Other
workers in the crew, engaged in subcontract work to the municipality
to install water pipelines, managed to escape from the trench.
7th November 2011
|
Germany
Rail track worker killed by train
A rail track worker subcontracted to DB was killed by a train
yesterday while working on track maintenance at Heringen station,
Nordhausen. A lookout for the workers had alerted the crew of an
approaching train but the victim left his work station and crossed the
tracks in the wrong direction into the path of the oncoming goods
train. 4th November
2011
|
Jordan
Passenger drowns after jumping from ferry fire
A man drowned yesterday having jumped in panic into the Red Sea after
fire broke out on a ferry 15 miles off Aqaba. All the remaining 1,230
persons on board were safely rescued from the ferry sailing from Aqaba
to Nuweiba in Egypt, a few were treated for minor fractures and smoke
inhalation. 4th
November 2011
|
Italy
2 workers dead after artesian well walls collapse
The bodies of 2 workers of Ottaviano, east of Naples, were recovered
yesterday from a collapsed excavation on via Pizzone Casante, Somma
Vesuviana, Naples, where it is believed that they were attempting to
deepen an artesian well when the excavation walls collapsed.
3rd November 2011
|
Dubai
Fall from scaffold fatality
Dubai Municipality is investigating a fatal accident at a site in
Deira which saw an Egyptian construction worker die in a fall from a
scaffold, another man was also injured.
3rd November 2011
|
Germany
NRW worker's foot severed in drive shaft
A worker's foot was severed on Tuesday in an accident at a
construction material plant in Waltrop, Recklinghausen, after he had
placed his leg in a mortar tub and his foot contacted the drive shaft.
2nd November 2011
|
UAE
Falling timber kills worker on Sharjah site
A worker died in Al Kuwaiti Hospital from head injuries sustained when
timber fell on his head at a construction site in Al Gafiah, Sharjah.
2nd November 2011
|
Australia
Lifting operation accident at Brisbane university
A construction worker was killed yesterday at the University of
Queensland site in the St Lucia suburb of Brisbane. It is thought that
he was struck by a formwork shutter which was being lifted by crane. A
lifting point failed and the shutter swung out and struck him.
1st November 2011
|
Dubai
Iranian crew arrested over dhow fire
The skipper and crew of an Iranian dhow have been arrested and charged
over alleged negligence in respect of a fire which occurred in their
boat while docked at Berth 1, Dubai Creek Port. A generator had been
placed below deck to pump out water but it developed a short circuit
and several dozen barrels of diesel fuel ignited.
1st November 2011
|
|
Peru
Roads worker killed in tractor accident
A 55-year old worker has died in an
accident while trying to undertake repair work on a caterpillar
tractor while working just off the Pan-American Highway on the 3rd
stage of the Urban Development Plan in Sullana. He had injuries to 70%
of his body but it was initially unclear if the injuries stemmed from
the vehicle running over him.
30th November 2011
|
Malaysia
Lightning strikes workers carrying racking
Lightning has killed a worker and badly injured another at a
construction site in Taman Mei Lin in Muara Tuang where they were
struck as they carried metal racking into a building, the surviving
worker is being treated for burns injuries in Sarawak General
Hospital. 30th
November 2011
|
Australia
Worker bled to death and lay undiscovered for 3 days
Worksafe was summoned to investigate a fatal accident on Monday
morning at Smith Broughton and Sons, industrial auctioneers in the
Bellevue district of Perth where a 53-year old mechanic was found
dead, having bled to death 2 days earlier.
It is speculated that he severed a major artery in his arm while
working on a digger late on Friday.
29th November 2011
|
Canada
Pumpjack maintenance worker crushed at Alberta oil site
A crush accident claimed the life of a worker of Paradis Pumpjack
Maintenance who became pinned under a counterweight as he engaged in
maintenance work inside the pumpjack on an oil lease site north of
Rocky Mountain House, 150 miles southwest of Edmonton. The pumpjack
was inactive at the time of the accident.
29th November 2011
|
Pakistan
6 workers electrocuted as crane jib touches power line
Six labourers died at the weekend
in an electrical burns accident and 3 were critically injured during
the unloading of goods at the Volta car spares factory in Shadab
Colony, Lahore. A crane was lifting the load and the workers were
holding supporting chains when the jib contacted an overhead power
source. Lahore police are considering bringing charges of alleged
negligence under Section 322 of the Penal Code against the factory
owner, his son, a foreman, the crane owner and crane driver, the
latter was alleged to have absconded from the scene of the accident.
28th November 2011
|
New Zealand
Northland timber mill fire
A 10-metre tall burning silo collapsed as firemen were tackling a
blaze at the Juken New Zealand timber mill in Kaitaia, Northland. The
fire crew was using an "external defensive attack" to prevent
the fire spreading to other buildings when the collapse occurred.
Although some of the men fell, no injuries were reported.
28th November 2011
|
Japan
1 survivor, 2 drown, 2 missing after fishing boat fire
Two fishermen have died and 2 others are missing after fire broke out
on the Koei-maru, an 18-tonne tuna boat of the Kawaminami fishermen's
co-operative in Miyazaki. The fire broke out off Hachijojima island,
200 miles south of Tokyo and the 5 crew men jumped overboard. An
Indonesian national survived and reported that all were wearing life
jackets, he was picked up by a fishing boat which also found the 2
dead fishermen.
25th November 2011
|
Australia
Wrong foetus of twin-bearing mother terminated
An accident is under investigation at the Royal Women's Hospital in
Melbourne where a patient carrying 32-week twins had the wrong foetus
terminated. She had been advised that one of the twins had a
congenital heart defect but surgeons mistakenly terminated the healthy
one. 25th November
2011
|
Austria
Falling hammer embeds in worker's skull
A claw hammer fell from the belt of a window installer at a site in
Reichenau im Muhlkreis, Upper Austria, and embedded itself in the
skull of a worker who was on a scaffold at a lower level. He was
transferred to hospital in Linz for surgical treatment with the hammer
still partially embedded in his skull.
24th November 2011
|
Spain
Six critically injured in gas explosion at hotel
Six people were critically injured yesterday in a gas explosion at the
Cordial Mogan Playa hotel in Mogan on Gran Canaria, the explosion
occurred at the time a lorry was delivering gas at the 487-room hotel.
Around 900 people were evacuated as a section of roof collapsed.
One of the injured is a 55-year old Norwegian guest with burns over
100% of her body, the other 5 severely injured are hotel workers with
70% burns. 24th
November 2011
|
Japan
Elderly care home resident charged with another resident's murder
An 86-year old resident of an elderly care home in Kotohira, Kagawa,
has been arrested and charged with alleged murder over the death of a
79-year old resident who was stabbed there and subsequently succumbed
to shock from massive loss of blood.
This incident took place on the 3rd floor of the premises, there is a
further charge that he subsequently attacked a 68-year old woman on
the 2nd floor. 23rd
November 2011
|
Canada
Electrician in MEWP crushed against roof piping
A subcontractor electrician who was injured in a crush accident while
installing overhead lighting at General Motors in St Catherines has
died of his injuries. He was in a MEWP(mobile elevating work
platform), a scissors lift, when he became crushed between the
platform and steel piping, firemen used jaws of life equipment to
secure his release.
23rd November 2011
|
Canada
Falling equipment injures oilsands worker
A worker was admitted to the University of Alberta Hospital with
serious lower body injuries following an accident at a Weatherford
Ampscott oil sands service company site in Nisku. He was deploying a
crane to position a pump jack component into the ground when the
equipment fell on him, a stop work order for securing equipment and
materials was delivered.
22nd November 2011
|
France
3 died in Charente retirement home fire
An investigation is ongoing into a fire at Les Flots retirement home
in La Rochefoucauld in the Charente where 2 residents died and 12 were
hospitalised after fire broke out in the ground floor of the premises.
It is speculated that the fire may have been caused by a cigarette,
one of the victims, an 82-year old man, was known to be a smoker and
died in his room of burns and asphyxiation. A 70 year old resident
died of asphyxiation in the corridor and an 87-year old woman died of
a heart attack during evacuation.
A fire occurred in a building adjacent to the home last September but
on that occasion there were no injuries.
22nd November 2011
|
Israel
Beersheba garage worker killed
A 25-year old worker from Hebron has died from what is believed to
have been a crush accident yesterday in a garage in Beersheba, he was
transferred to hospital where he succumbed to his severe injuries.
21st November 2011
|
South Africa
Warehouse worker killed, another critically injured in bee attack
An attack by a swarm of bees has killed a 58-year old factory worker
and left another in critical condition after the swarm entered a
warehouse in Germiston where the men were working.
21st November 2011
|
China
14 dead after explosion at melamine factory
An explosion occurred on Saturday at a factory which manufactures
melamine in Xintai, 4 workers died in the factory, another 10 died
shortly afterwards in hospital.
Maintenance work had just been undertaken on a condenser at the time
of the accident.
20th November 2011
|
Austria
Driver crushed between lorry and trailer after uncoupling
An HGV driver was killed in a crush accident on Friday after
uncoupling his vehicle from a trailer at a supermarket on Ortseingang
in Ischgl, Tyrol, when the trailer rolled back on him as he stood
between it and the lorry.
19th November 2011
|
Switzerland
Zurich maintenance worker falls through roof
A 62-year old worker sustained serious head injuries on Thursday when
he fell through a section of roof during maintenance work at premises
in Illnau-Effretikon, Zurich.
18th November 2011
|
USA
Farmer electrocuted alighting from live tractor
A 44-year old Florida farm worker was electrocuted as he alighted from
his tractor at Wm P Hearne Produce Farms in Manatee where twin booms
connected to a fertiliser tank at the rear of the vehicle appear to
have contacted an overhead power source prior to him alighting.
18th November 2011
|
Russia
White Sea missing ship incident
The Captain Kuznetzov, owned by the North Western River Shipping
Company, was spotted in aerial reconnaissance yesterday apparently
aground 35 miles east of Cape Terski-Orlov at the narrow entrance to
the White Sea, some 24 hours after contact was lost with the ship
which works out of St Petersburg. Rescuers from a helicopter managed
to land on deck and later in the day the cargo ship's engines were
restarted and it heaved away under its own steam for Arkhangelsk.
Contact was lost with the ship during a storm but all 11 crew and a
passenger are believed to be well. Sea conditions are rough but the
ice breaker Dikson is also in attendance.
17th November 2011
|
Uruguay
Painter dies in scaffold collapse
A 33-year old worker died in a fall from scaffolding which failed
while he was painting the exterior of a building in Maldonado, 80
miles from Montevideo.
17th November 2011
|
Canada
Worker badly injured on Quebec site
A load fell during a lifting operation involving chains on Tuesday
morning at a site on Route de l'Eglise in the
Sainte-Foy-Sillery-Cap-Rouge area of Quebec where 3 workers of
Cofrages LD were working at a height of 5 metres. Two of them were
injured, one sustaining critical head and neck injuries, the other
injured a leg. 16th
November 2011
|
France
Leg may be amputated after conveyor accident
A worker's leg has been so seriously injured that amputation may
be necessary following an injury at SNWM(Societe Nouvelle Wagon
Manufacturing) on Boulevard Faidherbe in Douai where he apparently
went on to a conveyor system to try to clear a blockage of metal and
his leg became caught and crushed.
16th
November 2011
|
India
Worker dies from acid spill burns
An acid spillage at the
Sterlite plant in the southern Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu has
killed a contract worker and left a Sterlite engineer injured with
serious burns, both were undertaking maintenance work in the plant's
acid tank unit. 15th
November 2011
|
Austria
Sulphuric acid/chlorine accident in hospital workshop
A mistake in a basement workshop at Tamsweg Hospital in Lungau
yesterday led to a chemical reaction between sulphuric acid and a
chlorine-containing substance entering the ventilation system. Thirty
patients had to be evacuated from the hospital while fire crews
cleared the hospital's ventilation system.
15th November 2011
|
USA
Cement freighter crewman killed in conveyor accident
A fatal accident investigation is ongoing in Milwaukee where a 61-year
old crew member of the St Mary's Challenger was found dead in an
accident with machinery involving a conveyor belt.
The freighter had just docked 3 hours earlier at the St Mary's Cement
Company on the Kinnickinnic River and was unloading cement.
14th November 2011
|
Italy
Handicapped parachutist killed in jump; ultralight pilot hits power
lines
A 78-year old handicapped parachutist died in a jump at 4km with the
Sky Dream Centre in Turin on Sunday. His main parachute failed to
open, it remains unclear if the reserve chute failed or if his
disability prevented him from activating it.
Elsewhere in Piedmont, an ultralight pilot died when he was pitched
out of his craft when it struck power lines in Cunesse, Revello.
14th November 2011
|
Czech Republic
3 killed in shooting incident at aircraft factory
At least 2 male workers, possibly board members aged 50 and 52, were
killed by gunfire at Aircraft Industries in Kunovice on Thursday, it
is thought that the 56-year old gunman subsequently turned the weapon
on himself. 11th
November 2011
|
USA
Rhode Island roofer injured in fall through skylight
A roofer of Apex Roofing of Rhode Island has been hospitalised with
spinal injuries after an 8-metre fall through a fragile roof light at
Environmental Responses Services on Cambridge Street, Middlebro,
Massachusetts. 11th
November 2011
|
Italy
Romanian killed in tractor rollover
A 27-year old Romanian agricultural worker died in an accident on
Wednesday afternoon in Papiano Scale, Umbria, where he became pinned
under an overturned tractor.10th
November 2011
|
Chile
Underground wall collapse kills worker at supermarket site
A wall collapsed during subterranean construction work at the Reyes
supermarket on Avenue Huamachuco in San Clemente, killing a 47-year
old site worker buried under the rubble.
10th November 2011
|
Canada
Worker drawn into gravel pit conveyor
A 31-year old Alberta quarry worker was killed in an accident at
Surmont Sand and Gravel quarry 30 miles south of Fort McMurray when
his
arm became caught in conveyor system
rollers and he was drawn into the equipment as he tried to remove
excess gravel from the conveyor.
9th November 2011
|
Colombia
Arcing power kills mine plant engineer
Electricity arced from a metal conductor to the cable of a bulldozer
undergoing maintenance by an electrician at El Descanso mine of
Drummond Company in Valledupar, the 7,200-volt charge electrocuted the
plant engineer. 9th
November 2011
|
Norway
Workshop explosion during equipment testing
An explosion occurred on Monday at the Malm Orstad premises in
Stavanger, 5 workers were injured in the accident at the plant which
supplies parts and equipment to the oil and gas industry. It is
thought that the explosion occurred during equipment testing.
8th November 2011
|
South Africa
Elephant tramples to death Limpopo safari park guide
A 29-year old game ranger and guide at the Makweti Safari Lodge
between Vaalwater and Lephalale in Limpopo province has been trampled to
death by an elephant, he was working alone at the time of the
accident. 8th
November 2011
|
Austria
Jonathon,3, survives tractor runaway and rollover
Jonathon, a 3-year old Vorarlberg boy, survived a tractor runaway and
rolloverer accident unscathed at the weekend in Sulzberg in the
Bregenz forest. Unseen by his parents he had climbed on to the
tractor's trailer, the movement may have activated the tractor which
was in 2nd gear and it rolled forward. As it approached a small dyke,
the bumping motion over rough ground was enough to pitch the boy out
of the trailer and into a soft landing in undergrowth, the tractor
overturned and fell 30 metres down an embankment.
l7th November 2011
|
Argentina
Accident at Cordoba airport led to amputation of worker's foot
A worker's foot had to be amputated and 2 other workers were injured
when a 3-metre high wall collapsed during work in the hangar area of
Ingeniero Ambrosio Taravella International Airport in Cordoba.
7th November 2011
|
Canada
Alberta teenager killed in refinery transport accident
An 18-year old worker died in a transport accident yesterday when he
was run over by a lorry at Shell's Scotford refinery northeast of
Edmonton. 4th
November 2011
|
Canada
Baker's hand trapped in equipment
A baker was admitted to hospital in Toronto on Thursday morning after
his arm became trapped in the mechanism of an overhead bread proofer
at Stickling's Bakery in Cavan Monaghan Township. Fire crews were
required to extricate the worker from the mechanism, a Ministry of
Labour investigator arrived later at the premises.
4th November 2011
|
USA
Electrician crushed in Minnesota post office accident
A 58-year old electrician has died in a crush accident at a post
office on North Fourth Avenue, Sioux Falls. He was operating an
electric lift and appears to have been looking down as he became
pinned on the lift against piping or roof rafters.
3rd November 2011
|
Canada
Worker killed in pulp mill tank explosion
An explosion at the Terrace Bay Pulp Mill in Terrace Bay, Ontario, has
claimed the life of a worker and left 2 others injured, the explosion
occurred in a blow tank into which pulp is pumped from a digester.
3rd November 2011
|
Romania
Girl dies after rat poison was mistaken for cough mixture
A 3-year old girl has died in Calarasi after swallowing rat poison
which had been given to her and her brother by her great-grandmother
who had mistaken the bottle for cough mixture. The 5-year old boy is
in a coma in hospital in Bucharest.
2nd November 2011
|
USA
Transport fatality at Montana precious metals mine
The Mine Safety & Health Administration is investigating a fatal
transport accident at the Stillwater Mine near Nye, Montana, where a
lead equipment operator driving a lorry lost control of it and ran
into a ditch 400 metres underground. A rock bolt struck his neck,
inflicting fatal injury.
2nd November 2011
|
Italy
Calabrian surveyor critically injured in roof fall
A 24-year old worker was rushed to Pugliese Hospital in Catanzaro
yesterday with critical injuries after falling from the roof of a
building in Favelloni, Cessaniti, where he was undertaking survey
measurement work.
1st November 2011
|
USA
Bronx worker killed in structural collapse
A structural collapse during renovation work of a 2-storey commercial
building on Stratford Avenue, the Bronx, has claimed the life of a New
York construction worker who found himself 2 metres under bricks and
debris when a dozen support columns failed, 2 other workers managed to
escape to safety.
1st November 2011
|
|
The Netherlands
Chemical reaction ails workers
Fifteen workers were hospitalised yesterday when leakage from a tank
led to an issue of hydrogen peroxide and natriumhypochloride which
reacted to form a toxic atmosphere at the Refresco soft drinks plant
on Europeweg in Bodegraven. Five of the injured were plant employees,
the 10 others were from adjacent premises.
30th November 2011
|
Germany
Shored trench fails on Brandenburg roads site
A 29-year old Brandenburg worker has been hospitalised in Berlin after
becoming badly injured in an unstable excavation at a roads site in
Petershagen-Eggersdorf. Although the trench was apparently shored the
excavation still proved insecure.
30th November 2011
|
Norway
Film crew washed away by large wave
Two members of a media crew aged 25
and 27 were swept away by a large wave and are presumed drowned during
the shooting of scenes for the animated fantasy film
Skumringslandet(Twilight Land) at Eigersund which had been buffeted by
gale force winds and heavy swell. A third member of the team managed
to swim ashore but the coastguard at Sola reported virtually no hope
of survival for the missing men.
29th November 2011
|
England
Police shoot cow escaped from cattle market
A police marksman had to shoot dead a runaway cow yesterday which had
escaped from the Darlington Auction Market and was posing a risk to
public safety in the Victoria Embankment area.
29th November 2011
|
Wales
5 Russian seamen missing in Irish Sea after Swanland sank
A search-and-rescue mission for 5 Russian seamen missing in the Irish
Sea following the sinking of the cargo ship Swanland was suspended
last night. Two rescued seamen were hospitalised in Bangor, Gwynedd,
another was found dead.
The ship, carrying 3K tonnes of limestone from Landdulas to Cowes,
issued a mayday after being struck by a rogue wave in stormy
conditions off the Lleyn peninsula, causing the ship to roll and its
hull to crack. An empty life raft was reported to have been found off
Bardsey Island.
28th November 2011
|
England
Diver dies in Plymouth Sound
A 54-year old diver has died in an accident after being lifted
unconscious from the water near Breakwater Fort in the Plymouth Sound
where he had got into difficulty during a dive from the Topgun dive
boat. 28th November
2011
|
Germany
Worker injured as crane jib contacts power line at railway station
A 50-year old worker was listed in life-threatening condition with
burns and fractures in hospital in Munich following an accident at the
city's Aubing railway station where he fell 3 metres from a ladder. He
was helping to position guttering which was being lowered into
position by crane when its jib contacted overhead power lines.
25th November 2011
|
Rep Ireland
Bus driver died in workshop accident
A fatal accident investigation
has taken place at Bernard Kavanagh and Sons Ltd in Urlingford, County
Kilkenny, where a 49-year old bus driver died in an accident in a
maintenance workshop.
25th November 2011
|
England
Narrative verdict in Yorks aerobatic crash
A jury at Leeds Coroner's Court has delivered a narrative verdict over
a fatal accident in June 2010 at the Methley Bridge Boatyard Festival
where a 31-year old pilot of Sherburn Aero Club died in a crash during
an aerobatic display.
The death was caused "primarily by an error of judgment" and other
"cumulative personal and professional pressures", the victim was also
a pilot for commercial airline Jet2 and was involved in a building
project and a heavy work schedule.
Earlier that day he had flown at a gala at Sherburn Aero Club and had
complained of turbulence and smoke in the cockpit of his aircraft. The
Coroner made a series of recommendations regarding the process through
which pilots are certified to perform aerobatic displays.
24th November 2011
|
England
Girl's arm severed in level crossing
incident
Surgeons at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle were attempting
re-attachment of a 12-year old girl's arm which was severed as she and
friends were on a level crossing at Killingworth where she received a
glancing blow on the arm from the passing train.
24th November 2011
|
Australia
Perth cathedral organist falls into utility chamber
A Stoke's basket vertical lift rescue was required to lift an organist
from a basement chamber at Saint George's Cathedral in Perth into
which he had fallen 3 metres. Utility workers installing air
conditioning had removed the cavity cover and had locked an entrance
door to prevent access while the gap was open. However, the organist
had required access and was unaware of this and fell into the gap
after unlocking the door, sustaining suspected spinal injuries.
23rd November 2011
|
Nigeria
Barge welder injured in gas explosion
A worker was seriously injured when a gas leak led to an explosion
during hot metal work on the Britannia U1 oil barge at the Marina
jetty in Lagos.
23rd November 2011
|
Italy
Crush fatality at Foggia sugar refinery
A worker died in a crush accident on Monday at the SfirLog premises on
the outskirts of Foggia where he became crushed under a load of
falling sugar at the refinery.
22nd November 2011
|
Rep Ireland
Latvian fishermen rescued again off Clare
A coastguard crew from Kilkee rescued a boat with 4 Latvian fishermen
after it experienced engine failure off the Clare coast, a repeat
effort having rescued the same men less than a fortnight ago.
22nd November 2011
|
England
Worker dies at Northumberland quarry
The HSE has been advised of a fatal accident which occurred at the
weekend at Longhoughton Quarry, near Alnwick, Northumberland, where a 58-year old worker operating
excavating machinery was found drowned in a flooded excavation.
21st November 2011
|
South Africa
Lion attacks park visitor through open car window
A game park visitor is listed in stable condition in hospital in
Johannesburg after being attacked by a lioness while visiting the Lion
Park in Lanseria, the animal clawed at him through his open car window
and bit his arm.
20th November 2011
|
Germany
Formaldehyde incident in Norderstedt
Four workers of a medical company in Nordrerstedt were hospitalised on
Thursday following a release of formaldehyde into the air conditioning
of the premises from an insecure container.
18th November 2011
|
Canada
Saskatchewan farm accidents
Two Saskatchewan farm deaths have been under investigation this week.
In Edenwold a 31-year old man was killed in a whiplash accident when a
rope or cable being used to tow a tractor snapped and struck him on
the head.
In Melville a 17-year old youth died in an accident involving a saw
while cutting timber on a family farm. These were the 8th and 9th
agricultural workplace fatalities of the year in Saskatchewan, a
figure 33% below last year pro rata.
18th November 2011
|
Malaysia
Reversing ferry kills kayak tourist
A ferry skipper was detained following a fatal accident off Kota
Kinabalu in Sabah where an 18-seater ferry taking staff of the Gayana
Resort to work reversed into a tourist twin kayak, an accident in
which a woman has died and her husband hospitalised.
17th November 2011
|
Australia
Fire fighting farmer run over by vehicle
A transport accident has claimed the life of a 62-year old Queensland
farmer who was struck by a vehicle while fighting a fire on land off
Landsborough Highway in the Blackall area southeast of Longreach. It
was initially unclear whether he had been run over by his own car or
another vehicle.
17th November 2011
|
Austria
Fall from scaffold kills Polish man
A 45-year old Polish worker died yesterday in a 12-metre fall from a
scaffold at a site in the Modling area of Vienna.
16th
November 2011
|
Italy
Albanian worker injured in Aosta
A 28-year old Albanian worker was admitted to Parini Hospital in Aosta
yesterday with severe head injuries after falling while operating
equipment at a site in Ville Sur Sarre.16th
November 2011
|
Romania
Boy run over by tractor in western Romania
A 3-year old boy sustained critical injuries yesterday after being run
over by a tractor rear wheel on a family farm in Biledin, Timis.
15th November 2011
|
Northern Ireland
Farmer dies in Co Londonderry accident
It is reported that a man has died in a farming accident in Maghera,
no further details are available.
15th November 2011
|
France
Pilot missing in Channel after plane crash
A search was ongoing yesterday for a man missing in the English
Channel following the crash of a light aircraft 25 miles northwest of
Guernsey. A woman was rescued from a life raft by the Russian ship
Jork rider which had responded to the mayday and taken to Pasteur
Hospital in Cherbourg, the flight had taken off from Portsmouth. 14th November 2011
|
Rep Ireland
Pilot entered active runway without permission
A near miss occurred at Dublin Airport on October 16th 2010 when
a Germanwings Airbus with 130 people on board came within 50 metres of
contact with a Turkish Airlines jet carrying 105 people.
The German flight was preparing to land but the Turkish aircraft on
the ground had failed to comply with the air traffic control
instructions and had entered an active runway without permission. The
German pilot performed a "go-around" and climbed back up to 1K metres
and subsequently completed a safe landing.
The Air Accident Investigation Unit established that the Turkish plane
had been cleared to taxi in preparation for take-off but told to
remain short of the runway. The Turkish pilot reported that he had
been distracted by "heads-in" tasks in the cockpit and neither saw nor
correctly interpreted signage for the holding position. The Irish
Aviation Authority has advised the airline to amend its procedures
with pilots maintaining an external lookout at all times during
taxiing, with the crew conducting a verbal cross-check prior to
entering a runway. 14th November 2011
|
USA
Delaware utility workers in electrical flash accident
Two municipal electricians, aged 27 and 41, of the City of Dover,
Delaware, sustained burns injuries in an electrical flash accident on
Thursday at the junction of Route 8 and Independence Boulevard in
Dover, the older electrician is listed as having severe burns.
11th November 2011
|
Germany
Loco crashes through sidings buffer on to road during driver training
A trainee driver and instructor stepped shaken but unscathed from a
locomotive engine which crashed through buffers and down on to a main
road in the Billwerder district of Hamburg early on Thursday morning.
The training drive of the private Teutoburger Eisenbahn somehow got on
to a sidings track after negotiating a shunting area.
11th November 2011
|
Argentina
Tucuman roofer killed in 20m fall
A 20-metre fall from the roof of a building at a sports ground
in Los Sauzales, has killed a 57-year old Tucuman roofer. At the
locus it was clear that he had broken an arm and pelvis but his severe
internal injuries proved fatal as he was transported to
hospital. 10th
November 2011
|
Cuba
Workplace deaths continue to fall
During the first 9 months of this year 63 Cuban workplace deaths
were recorded, notably in agriculture, construction and sugar, with
Havana and Santiago de Cuba accounting for the majority of accidents.
The figure for the whole of last year was 93, workplace deaths have
fallen steadily over the decade from 151 in 2000.
10th November 2011
|
England
Aerobatics pilot killed in ground accident
A Red Arrows pilot died yesterday in an accident in which he was
ejected from a Hawk T1 jet standing on the ground at RAF Scampton,
Lincs, Red Arrows training was temporarily suspended.
9th November 2011
|
England
CO incident at London recycling unit
A chemical accident involving a leakage of carbon monoxide occurred on
Tuesday at computer recycling company Maxitech on the Jeffreys Road
industrial estate in Brimsdown, Enfield. A 50-metre evacuation and
hazard zone was created and 7 workers required medical attention.
9th November 2011
|
Scotland
Offshore worker injured in fumes exposure
The Sumburgh coastguard helicopter airlifted an offshore worker to
hospital in Lerwick the Dunlin Alpha platform of Fairfield Energy, 115
miles northeast of Shetland, following an accident in which it is
believed he became exposed to fumes.
His condition was monitored and he was
later released.
8th November 2011
|
Malta
Gozo worker critically injured in forklift accident
A worker was admitted to Gozo General Hospital with critical injuries
on Monday following an accident involving a forklift truck at premises
on it-Tokk Street, Gozo.
8th November 2011
|
Germany
Cut bough kills arborist in MEWP
A Hanseatic arborist was killed in an accident while working in a
MEWP(mobile elevating work platform) to cut a tall tree at premises in
Lubeck at the weekend. He was using a saw to cut the tree section by
section but as he cut the second highest bough it came down on his
head. 7th November
2011
|
Spain
Fatal accident may have involved unlicensed activity
Investigators have been studying a fatal accident at a site in the
Guanarteme district of Las Palmas where a worker was killed during
roof work being undertaken which resulted in material falling on him.
It is alleged that he was an unlicensed worker on a project without a
building control permit.
7th November 2011
|
USA
Worker killed, another missing in Texas confined space accident
A confined space accident has claimed the lives of 2 workers of SJ
Lewis, subcontracted to North Texas Municipal Water District, who were
trying to unblock a sewer at the rear of a residential property in
Fairview, 25 miles northeast of Dallas.
One worker entered the manhole and was apparently overcome by fumes. A
colleague followed in a rescue attempt, his body has not been
recovered. Rescuers wearing breathing apparatus recovered the body of
the first worker, neither of the contractors was wearing respiratory
gear. 4th November
2011
|
New Zealand
Falling steel kills worker during unloading
A 53-year old storeman died in a crush accident yesterday at
Mainfreight Transport, Invercargill, when a large steel section became
unstable during unloading from a lorry and fell on him.
4th November 2011
|
England
Lancs paper manufacturer pleads guilty to machine accident
At Furness Magistrates Court Kimberley-Clark Ltd has pleaded guilty to
a breach of S.2(1) of the Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974 between
3rd July and 9th November 2007 of failing to ensure, so far as was
reasonably practicable, the health safety and welfare of employees
working at the Perini P3 Paper Converting Line at its paper mill on
Park Road, Barrow. A worker died in an accident in which he became
trapped in the machinery while looking through a gap to check on work,
an inquest jury last year ruled the death an accident but one which
could have been avoided.
Sentence will be delivered on 25th November at Lancaster Crown Court.
3rd November 2011
|
Croatia
Fishing boat sank in alleged hit and run collision
A marine accident investigation was launched after the fishing boat
Golub sank 5 miles off Pula in a collision with the Maltese boat Joerg
N which was alleged to have continued its course without stopping.
The 8 fishermen took to life rafts and within an hour had made it
safely to shore.
3rd November 2011
|
Scotland
Orkney diving accident
A 53-year old diver was pronounced dead at Balfour Hospital, Kirkwall,
after getting into difficulty while diving to a German wreck in Scapa
Flow. 2nd November
2011
|
Poland
New York flight's emergency landing without wheels at Warsaw
A Boeing 767 of Lot Airlines made a safe emergency landing at Warsaw
on Tuesday after its landing gear failed to open at the end of a
flight from New York. The runway was treated with flame retardant foam
to prepare for the landing, no injuries were reported.
2nd November 2011
|
England
Disc cutter sparks fire during demolition
Sparks from a disc cutter are reckoned to have caused the fire at
Iggesund Paperboard at Siddick, Workington, where a section of the
premises is undergoing demolition. The sparks from the cutting gear
ignited insulation panels, one worker required hospital treatment for
smoke inhalation.
1st November 2011
|
Colombia
Soldier killed as electricity arcs to survey staff
A solider of the Bejarano Munoz battalion of the XVIIth army brigade
was electrocuted in the Las Pailas district of Palmira when
electricity arced from power lines to a survey staff.
1st November 2011
|
|
England
Workmen injured as walkway collapsed
Two workmen were treated for minor injuries after the partial collapse
yesterday afternoon of a walkway serving HMS Belfast moored on the
Thames near Tower Bridge.
The walkway is constructed partly from scaffolding members and appears
to have sheared at the point it joins with the ship. It came to rest
partially submerged in the water.
One report states work was being undertaken
by 3 workmen just before the incident,
more than 100 people on board were evacuated using small craft.
30th November 2011
|
England
Narrow escape for mother and son
A wheelbarrow that fell 5 metres from scaffolding on a site in King
Street in South Shields struck a teenage mother as she pushed her son
along the footpath in her pram last Friday afternoon. She was attended
to by paramedics but escaped serious injury. HSE has been informed of
the incident. 30th
November 2011
|
Scotland
Tow rope fells worker
A crewman was injured on Sunday evening as he worked in the effort to
pull the grounded P&O ro-ro ferry Norcape from the sands at the
entrance to Troon Harbour. He sustained leg injuries when the tow rope
failed and struck him, no passengers were on board. The injured man
has since been released from hospital. 29th
November 2011
|
England
Hotel neglects teenage employee
An accident at a hotel in Filey, Yorkshire, has exposed a failure by
the 17-year old's employer to meet its obligations under health and
safety law.
The female employee sustained severe burns to 3 fingers while using a
commercial rotary iron at the Downcliffe House Hotel on 2nd May this
year. The burns caused damage to the nerves and tendons in her fingers
and there may be a permanent loss of feeling and damage to the lower
knuckles on all 3 fingers. As a consequence of the burns she has
permanent scarring, lost fingernails and now has limited
movement in the fingers.
Investigation by Scarborough Council officials and examination of the
rotary iron revealed serious faults. It had not been properly serviced
or maintained and was not being operated in accordance with the
manufacturers instructions. A safety micro switch had been
disconnected and this impeded the safe functioning of the machine. The
examination resulted in a prohibition notice being served.
The employer failed to provide a suitable and sufficient risk
assessment, a young person’s risk assessment, evidence of suitable
training and information. It had exposed a young person to the risks
of extreme heat, and these omissions had permitted the accident
to occur.
The Downcliffe House Hotel Limited pleaded guilty to 7 offences under
the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and associated regulations
and Scarborough Magistrates fined it £5,000.
Scarborough Borough Council Health and Community Safety Manager
commented: "The owners of the Downcliffe House Hotel showed a complete
disregard for health and safety which led to serious injuries and
permanent damage to a young person. This accident was foreseeable and
preventable. It is essential that all employers promote good health
and safety practices in the workplace; they have a duty to protect
their employees and others who may be affected by the activities they
carry out."
29th November 2011
|
England
Risks to young worker
were not assessed
A 21-year old worker was left to operate an industrial saw without any
instruction or training in its use. He subsequently lost 3 fingers
while using the equipment which had no adjustable guard in place
around the part of the blade not being used on engineering premises in
Heywood, Rochdale. He was unsupervised at the time of the October 2010
accident.
Employer Adelaide Engineering Company Ltd of Burford,
Oxfordshire, which has contracts to supply materials for the
aerospace, nuclear, oil and gas industries, was fined £8,000 and
ordered to pay £2,514 in prosecution costs having admitted breaching
r.3(1)(a) of the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999 and S.2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
At Trafford Magistrates’ Court
the investigating HSE inspector commented: "It’s astonishing that an
employee was left to work unsupervised on the saw, despite not having
any previous experience or receiving any training on how to use it
safely. As a result, he has lost parts of 3 fingers on his left hand
and will have to live with the injury for the rest of his life."
28th November 2011
|
England
3 companies prosecuted following leg
amputation
The courts have fined 3 companies implicated in an industrial accident
on 30th June 2005 in which a 41-year old man had his leg run over by a
dumper truck as he worked on the Ashburton Grove Stadium being built
for Arsenal FC. He had been kneeling at the time, cleaning steel
shuttering. The dumper ran over his leg and fractured his pelvis. His
leg injury was so severe it was necessary to amputate it above the
knee.
The HSE was highly critical of those responsible for ensuring the
separation of personnel and vehicles on the site, the Principal
Contractor and 2 contractors. It also deemed the cleaning of
shuttering to be neither properly planned nor carried out safely.
Sir Robert McAlpine Limited, of Hemel Hempstead, admitted breaching
S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and was fined
£19,000 plus costs of £10,000.
Sub-contractor Skanska Utilities Limited, of Rickmansworth, admitted
breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and
was fined £17,000 with £10,000 costs.
Maylim Limited of Watford, sub-contracted by McNicholas Plc to
undertake the work on the South Bridge area of the site, admitted
breaching the same legislation and was fined £18,000 with costs of
£10,000.
An HSE official commented: "Traffic needs to be managed effectively on
all construction sites. Had proper controls been in place, this
appalling incident would never have happened. At construction sites,
workers and vehicles need to be separated wherever reasonably
practicable. There was no demarcation between the route the dumper
took and areas where people could work or were working on this
site. None of these 3 companies had carried out a meaningful
assessment of the risk to workers of being struck by plant in general
and the dumper in particular."
28th November 2011
|
England
68-year old fell from ladder
An employee of a Blackpool double-glazing company fell almost 5 metres
from a ladder he was using to access a window of a house he wished to
measure in Bispham during April this year. He fractured his knee,
ankle, ribs and punctured his lung.
Investigation of the accident established that on occasions he had
been allowed to work alone, unmonitored, without anyone footing his
ladder to stop it falling. This was contrary to company policies.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) instigated a prosecution of the
accident victim's employer, the proprietor of Direct Window Co. based
in Fylde Industrial Estate, Arkwright Court, Blackpool. He admitted
breaching r.4(1) of the Work at Height Regulations 2005 for which he
was fined £8,000 plus £2,000 costs. He had failed to ensure that work
at height was properly planned, appropriately supervised, and carried
out in a manner which is so far as is reasonably practicable safe.
25th November 2011
|
England
Logistics company had 'extremely
dangerous' work environment
A 54-year old HGV driver was seriously injured when he was crushed by
a reversing 15-metre long heavy goods vehicle in the Grays, Essex,
yard of a logistics company. The environment there was described by a
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector as 'extremely dangerous'.
On 13th May this year the driver was
guiding the lorry using a torch because the yard was poorly
illuminated. Whilst doing so he dropped the torch and bent down to
pick it up, at which point he disappeared from the vision of the
driver who failed to stop reversing, crushing his colleague between
the office wall and his vehicle. He sustained severe injuries to his
arm, torso and collar bone. The yard had no adequate separation of
vehicles and personnel, furthermore the operations were inadequately
supervised and investigation also established that managers and other
staff had no health and safety training.
The investigating HSE official commented that it was only good fortune
that the driver's injuries did not prove fatal, and explained:"This
was a small yard used by a large number of lorries which were often
forced to reverse as there was no room to carry out a U-turn. It was
common practice for employees to wander across the yard from the
workshop or from where they parked their cars to the office, to and
from the diesel tank and to where the lorries were parked making the
yard an extremely dangerous environment."
Employer KBC Logistics Ltd, registered at 117 Dartford Road, Dartford,
Kent, admitted breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc
Act 1974 and was fined £12,000 with costs of £3,009.
25th November 2011
|
Northern Ireland
Farmer's fatal error
A Magherafelt Coroner has recorded 'accidental death' following the
hearing of testimony regarding the death of a 38-year old farmer in an
incident at a Stewartstown farm on 3rd March this year.
The deceased was attempting to move a tractor link box off the ground,
but had elected to operate the controls from a dangerous position
standing outside the cab rather than seated within it. While standing
between the tractor cab and link box he moved the lever which suddenly
elevated the box, trapping his head between the rear of the cab and
the box, inflicting injuries from which he later died.
24th November 2011
|
England
Oxygen cylinder explodes in Bath hospital
A patient has been transferred to a specialist burns unit to be
treated for leg burns following an explosion and fire in an intensive
care ward at the Royal United Hospital in Bath on Tuesday evening.
Several staff members were treated for the effects of smoke inhalation
following their efforts to evacuate other patients in the ward.
24th November 2011
|
|
England
Supervisor's disabling
industrial injury
A supervisor lost 2 fingers of his dominant hand, suffered nerve
damage to the rest of his hand and now must live with a permanent
disability for the rest of his life, a result of an industrial injury
on 10th August last year at his Thirsk, Yorkshire, employer's premises. He has as yet been unable to return to work.
At the start of his shift that day at the feed supplement company the
supervisor was informed by a production worker that an air slide on an
animal feed mixer was not operating, a regular problem owing to a
build-up of sticky feed deposits on the slide and runners. To rectify
this by cleaning the slide and runners, he ascended a set of moveable
steps and reached up to undertake the work, but was injured as his
hand came into contact with the dangerous moving parts of the machine.
His right hand was crushed, 2 fingers severed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) instigated a prosecution at Northallerton Magistrates' Court
where A.One Feed Supplements Ltd of North
Hill, Dishforth Airfield, Thirsk, admitted breaching r.11(1)b of the
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998* and was fined
£15,000 with costs of £2,594. The Court would have noted that company
was prosecuted in 2007 when another employee was injured undertaking
maintenance on an energised machine.
23rd November 2011
|
England
Child injured in play equipment fall
It is reported that a boy fell from play equipment at Oakdale Primary
School in Peterborough on Monday afternoon and sustained a severe
compound fracture of his arm.
The Health and Safety Executive is investigating, as are Peterborough
City Council.
23rd
November 2011
|
England
Pet product company forklift operator
wasn't trained
Vital Pet Products Limited of North Tawton, Devon, has been prosecuted
and fined £2,000 plus costs of £2,633 following an investigation by
officials of West Devon Borough Council which revealed that one of its
forklift truck operators had received no training in its operation.
22nd November 2011
|
Scotland
Fatal hospital window fall in
Fife
An investigation is proceeding into the incident during the early
hours of Thursday in which a 61-year old female patient was fatally
injured after falling from a window at the Queen Margaret Hospital in
Dunfermline. 22nd
November 2011
|
England
Accidental death of hotel porter
An inquest jury sitting at Knaresborough, Yorkshire, has determined by
majority that the death of a 41-year old hotel porter in a fire at the
Majestic Hotel in Harrogate was the result of an accident.
The fire started in the deceased's room situated on the top floor in
the early hours of 5th May 2010, heat detectors alerted staff and the
fire service were summoned but they could not reach the room.
There was no evidence that the fire had been started deliberately and
it is speculated that a cigarette may have been the source of
ignition.
21st November 2011
|
England
Excavation claimed life of workman
A 49-year old workman died on Tuesday 8th November when an
excavation he entered collapsed on top of him. He was working at the
3-metre deep trench on a farm at Clatworthy, near Wiveliscombe,
Somerset, where a pipe was being laid.
19th November 2011
|
Scotland
Fatal accident at Paisley abattoir
A 23-year old man has died as a result of an industrial accident on
Thursday afternoon at the premises of Sandyford Abattoir (Paisley) Ltd
in Renfrewshire.
Reports say he sustained head injuries when was struck by a falling carcass.
18th November 2011
|
England
Worker killed at Airbus Broughton
A 62-year old employee of Airbus has died following an industrial
accident on Wednesday evening at its Broughton premises.
The accident occurred at its garage maintenance facility.
18th November 2011
|
England
Unstable scaffolding was risk to public
The proprietors of Scaffolding Systems South West Ltd of Heavitree,
Exeter, have been fined in connection with an incident on 25th March
2009 in which a large section of scaffolding erected by the company at
a builders' merchants fell away from the building and damaged
cars.
The scaffolding collapsed in strong winds, it had been erected on a
re-roofing project.
Examination of the structure revealed that netting had been fixed to
the scaffolding but extended almost 1.5 metres above the roof of the
building, and was attached to the inside edge of the scaffold instead
of the outside. This caused it to act like a sail, and collapse ensued
given the inadequate number of ties used.
An HSE official commented: "The degree of risk and danger to workers
and the public was considerable. The standard of the scaffold as
installed fell far short of the appropriate level. This incident could
easily have led to human tragedy and should act as a wake-up call to
scaffolders to carry their work out to industry standards."
The proprietors of the business admitted breaching r.28(2) of the
Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007, one was fined
£8,000, his partner £5,000. Both are required to pay costs of
£2,040. 18th
November 2011
|
England
Workman drilled through 415v
cable
During October 2009, a 26-year old employee of a Scunthorpe
construction company was instructed by a director to dig 2 holes to
erect a new sign outside their site entrance in Scunthorpe. The sign
needed 2 large holes for the steel posts and a drill to break through
some concrete was acquired. The employee and his colleague took it in
turns to use the drill, but when the concrete suddenly yielded, he
pierced a 415v cable, causing an electrical explosion. He sustained
severe burns to his hands, arms, face and chest and spent 3 days in
hospital.
Employer Kim Barker Construction Ltd of Flixborough Industrial Estate,
Scunthorpe, had failed to seek to establish whether underground
services existed at the location. It admitted breaching r.4(3)
of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and was fined £13,000 with
£2,039 costs.
An HSE official commented: "This is an example of how a simple job, no
matter how straightforward it may seem on the face of it, can have
serious, if not fatal, consequences if not properly planned. There are
lessons from this case that are relevant to many companies who decide
to carry out work such work. First and foremost, when digging where
underground services may be present, a firm needs to carry out an
investigation to locate those services. It also highlights the need to
make sure every job is planned, undertaken and supervised using
trained workers and the right tools. Had the company followed industry
guidance and best practice when this happened back in 2009, the
accident victim would not be bearing the long-term scars of their
failings today."
17th November 2011
|
England
Unsecured racking fell and killed
worker
A Bradford Coroner's Court inquest jury has determined that an
employee of George Barker and Co.(Leeds) Ltd who died in December 2009
following an incident at its Highfield Works in Idle, Bradford,
Yorkshire, died as a result of an accident. The 61-year old employee
of the refrigeration company died of his head injuries after racking,
which had been positioned but not bolted down to the floor, collapsed
on him.
The issue of the securing of the racking by bolts was discussed at
length during the hearing. The manufacturer of the racking, and the
supplier, both received enforcement notices from HSE requiring them to
ensure information on bolting was conveyed to the purchaser.
17th November 2011
|
England
Authorities act on London's death trap
housing
London Fire Brigade has closed a
number of commercial buildings, being used as residential
accommodation, for fire safety reasons. Brigade inspectors in Wembley
issued 6 prohibition notices on separate buildings being used as
living accommodation on an industrial estate in the Alperton area,
which it is believed accommodated as many as 150 people.
A recent fire in an office block on Mount Pleasant, which required
firefighters to rescue 6 persons, revealed 17 rooms with over 50
people accommodated within them. The property had extremely limited
means of escape and what inspectors termed 'virtually no fire safety
features' eg. fire protection between different floors.
Another property visited on Beresford Avenue accommodated 21 people,
including 3 children, and was situated above a garage. The inspectors
described conditions there as 'potentially lethal'.
Four more properties in the area were raided and these housed around
80 people.
London Fire Brigade’s Assistant Commissioner for Fire Safety
Regulation commented: "The complete contempt some landlords appear to
have for the safety of those families they are taking money from is
incredible. These buildings are potential death traps and it’s lucky
nobody was killed as a result. Officers visiting these premises have
described the breaches of fire safety as some of the worst they have
ever seen." 16th
November 2011
|
USA
Further evidence of
solvent link to neurological disease
Research conducted through the The Parkinson’s Institute and
Clinical Center in California suggests a strong link between exposure to
trichloroethylene (TCE) and an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease,
with exposure preceding disease onset by 30-40 years.
Research also linked the disease with perchloroethylene (PERC) and carbon tetrachloride (CCI4).
TCE is used as a degreaser as is PERC, which is used also in
dry-cleaning operations. TCE is an organic contaminant also found in
soil, groundwater and in the air. For TCE the epidemiological study
found a 6-fold risk increase in the possibility of developing the
disease.
The study considered 99 sets of twins of whom one had Parkinson's
disease and looked at their occupational and non-occupational
exposures to 6 common solvents.
16th
November 2011
|
England
Fatal forklift truck accident in Wigan
A worker in his 40's has died in an industrial accident at Kirklees
Industrial Estate, New Springs.
The incident on Friday morning involved a stacker truck which resulted
in the man being trapped and crushed underneath it.
15th November 2011
|
England
HSE investigates woman's death on Lancs
Industrial estate
It is reported that a woman has died following an incident on the
Fowler Industrial Estate in Horwich.
She sustained fatal injuries, from which she later succumbed in
hospital, in a collision with a large vehicle yesterday morning.
15th November 2011
|
England
Worker injured by excavator
It is reported that a workman was badly injured in an industrial
accident on a site in Cippenham, Berkshire, on Thursday afternoon.
He appears to have sustained major crush injuries in an incident
involving an excavator.
14th November 2011
|
England
Demolition workers injured
Three demolition workers were admitted to hospital on Friday morning
following an incident at a former school building in Fenton Manor,
Stoke-on-Trent.
Accounts related that the men sustained their non-life threatening
injuries when a roof they were working on unexpectedly collapsed,
possibly because of windy conditions.
14th November 2011
|
England
Death at former Cadbury factory
It is reported that a man has been killed at the former Cadbury
premises in Keynsham, Somerset.
Accounts state the incident on Wednesday afternoon involved an item of
construction plant, one report states he may have also fallen from
height.
It has been confirmed that HSE is working with Avon and Somerset
Police to establish what happened.
11th November 2011
|
England
Fatal fall from height in Devon
A man in his 60's, believed to be a contractor, has died after falling
at the Princesshay shopping centre in Exeter on Wednesday evening. The
man was working on a building at the time, he sustained serious
injuries and died later in hospital.
11th November 2011
|
England
Worker freed from machine
An industrial accident at the premises of PCB Products in Leigh
yesterday morning required a worker to be freed from a machine.
Emergency services dismantled the equipment, after which he was taken
to hospital for treatment to a crushed arm.
10th November 2011
|
England
Welder killed at Staffs company
A contracted welder has died of burns he received in an industrial
accident at the premises of John Pointon & Sons Ltd in Cheddleton. The
50-year old was engaged in what was described as maintenance work at
the animal renderers premises on Saturday evening when the incident
occurred.
He was taken to hospital for treatment for burns but he died the next
day. 10th November
2011
|
Scotland
Wheelchair examined following
fatal fire
There has been speculation that the fire that claimed the life of a
54-year old man at his home in Strichen, Aberdeenshire, on Monday may
have involved a malfunction of his wheelchair and the investigation
into his death is being conducted by both Grampian Police and the
Health and Safety Executive.
9th November 2011
|
England
Gas engineer's close
call
A gas engineer investigating a gas leak last year in a Cardiff office
block entered a cellar where the atmosphere contained more than 16
times the maximum safe carbon monoxide (CO) level over an 8-hour
period. The employee of Wales and West Utilities required hospital
treatment after he was almost overcome and killed by CO poisoning
following faulty work the previous day by the proprietors of BR
Greenwell Heating and Plumbing Services of Llantrisant who had
attended at Mount Stewart House to repair an open flue gas boiler
where they fitted a new gas control valve.
Investigation found the gas valve was incorrectly adjusted,
causing
the boiler to produce high levels of CO. Both defendants were registered
with the Gas Safe Register but did not have an appropriate certificate
under the Accredited Certification Scheme to confirm competency for
work on the gas boiler, which was a commercial gas-fired hot water
boiler.
At Cardiff Magistrates' Court BR Greenwell Heating and Plumbing
Services of Llantrisant admitted a breach of r.3 (1) and r.26
(9) of the Gas Safety (Installation and Use) Regulations 1998 and were
fined £5,000 in total and ordered to pay costs of £8,000.
An HSE official commented: "The Wales and West Utilities employee was an experienced engineer
and had knowledge of the risks from CO and training in
gas work, but he was still affected by it. If one of the
building's office workers had unknowingly entered the cellar with no
knowledge of gas issues, they could have been quickly overcome by
potentially fatal CO fumes. It is vital that gas engineers comply with
the standards set down by law to prevent deaths from carbon monoxide.
Since 2006 there have been 3 fatalities in the area because of
registered gas installers working outside their confirmed competence."
9th November 2011
|
England
Furniture company's critical fire
safety failures
Showhouse Furniture Limited of Newmarket and 2 of its directors have
been prosecuted and fined for serious fire safety offences under the
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 which placed employees at
risk.
Following a fire on 18th October 2010 at the Showhouse warehouse,
the investigation revealed a severe lack of fire safety provisions and
management there.
Several ‘safety critical’ breaches were discovered, including the
complete obstruction of the fire exits within the warehouse, no fire
risk assessment, poor housekeeping, no reliable means for raising the
alarm in the event of a fire, no maintenance of fire safety systems
and a lack of emergency lighting.
At Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court the Directors admitted 12
offences and were ordered to pay fines totalling £6,100, with Suffolk
Fire and Fire Service awarded prosecution costs of £6,000.
Suffolk County Councillor and Portfolio Holder for Public Protection
commented: "I hope that this case will highlight the importance of
compliance with fire safety regulations. When employees are placed at
serious risk, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service will take appropriate
and proportionate action."
8th November 2011
|
England
Second victim of nightclub
incident
A 19-year old woman injured at the Lava Ignite nightclub in
Northampton has died, a 22-year old woman lost her life last month following
the incident in the early
hours of 19th October at the 1,600 capacity venue. Both were injured
when there was a rush to the exits, the company which operated the
nightclub and 10 others is in administration.
8th November 2011
|
Scotland
Golfer wins £397,000 damages
A golfer, who suffered a severe eye injury in August 2007 when he was
struck by a wayward golf ball at Niddry Castle golf club, has been
awarded almost £400,000 in compensation in a judgement at the Outer
House of the Court of Session in Edinburgh.
The Pursuer lost his eye as a result of the mishit shot, and
maintained his loss was a direct result of negligence by the golfer
and the West Lothian golf club.
Legal submission on behalf of the Defenders (the golf club and the
player who struck the shot) maintained that the Pursuer contributed in
part to his loss by not reacting adequately on hearing the call
'fore', but Lord Brailsford accepted the testimony of the Pursuer and
his fellow players, that he did adopt a protective posture. Expert
evidence accepted by the judge was that warning signs placed by the
golf club would have been effective had they chosen to erect them, but
that barriers or fencing at this location would not have been.
The Pursuer was a very
inexperienced golfer, and had acquired his golf clubs at a car boot
sale only days before the accident.
The judgement determined the golfer to be 70% liable, the golf club
30% liable.
The case against the
golf club was pled on the basis of a breach of obligation incumbent
upon them under, and in terms of, S.2(1) of the Occupiers
Liability (Scotland) Act 1960.
7th November 2011
|
England
Waste company breach Workplace
Regulations
Collier Industrial Waste Ltd has been fined £20,000, plus almost
£10,000 in costs, in connection with a breach of the Workplace
(Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 in the circumstances of
an industrial accident in January 2010 in which a 60-year old man
sustained multiple injuries when struck by a reversing vehicle at the
company's Trafford Park, Manchester, premises.
Collier had neglected to implement measures which would have prevented
the accident. 7th
November 2011
|
England
Removal man badly injured
A man in his 20's has been taken to hospital by air ambulance with
crush injuries following an incident at a property in Maryport,
Cumbria. One account states he received the injuries when he was
crushed against a wall by a reversing van.
4th November 2011
|
Wales
Miners trapped at drift mine
Three miners were trapped for
around 1 hour early yesterday at the Aberpergwm mine in south Wales
before being freed by a mine rescue team following a collapse.
Two of the miners were taken to hospital with non-life threatening
injuries. 4th
November 2011
|
England
Fall death was entirely avoidable
The death of a 32-year old contractor's employee has been described as
'entirely avoidable' by an HSE inspector who conducted the
investigation into his death 2 years after the accident on 31st March
2007.
The deceased fell through the fragile roof of a warehouse on the
Kayley Industrial Estate in Ashton-under-Lyne, where he was replacing
a skylight, and sustained serious injuries, including a fractured
skull, when he struck the floor 10 metres below. The head injury
resulted in the development of post-traumatic epilepsy from which he
died in April 2009.
No risk assessment had been conducted and no safety measures had been
taken.
J Mills (Contractors) Ltd, of Urmston, admitted breaching S.2(1)
of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and was fined £145,000
plus £7,700 in prosecution costs.
The investigating inspector commented: "This is a tragic case in which
someone has lost their father as a result of an entirely avoidable
incident. Falls from height remain the biggest cause of workplace
deaths and one of the main causes of serious injury. But the deceased
was allowed to walk across a roof without anything in place to stop
him falling. Just 1 week before his line manager was advised by a
colleague of mine about the dangers of working at height, and how to
protect employees. If he had acted on this advice then I'm confident
the accident victim would still be alive today."
3rd November 2011
|
England
Speculation over security guard's death
The death last Friday of a security guard in his 40's at Wimborne
House, the former care home in Gravesend, has led to speculation that
he may have been overcome by exhaust gases from a generator after the
equipment was observed on the property.
The deceased was discovered in an office after entry to the property
was forced.
3rd November 2011
|
Scotland
Commercial diver killed in North
Sea incident
A commercial diver in his 30's working for Integrated Subsea Services
has died following an incident at the Balmoral floating production
vessel 150 miles north east of Aberdeen.
The incident occurred during what was described as a routine diving
operation. 2nd
November 2011
|
Scotland
Arborist died an accidental
death
A Sheriff presiding at a fatal accident inquiry in Cupar has ruled the
death of a 67-year old arborist in May, crushed by a falling tree, as
'accidental'.
The deceased was working with his son on the Brigton Estate near St
Andrews, Fife, and partly cut through a 15-metre tall tree before he
set off to begin felling another. Tragically, the wind caught the
partly-felled tree and it fell across him, inflicting multiple
injuries.
The inquiry heard how he should have respected a a 40-metre exclusion
zone around the unstable tree.
2nd November 2011
|
England
Two deaths in 4 days at Tilbury
docks
It is reported that a 68-year old lorry driver died last Wednesday
evening in an industrial accident at Tilbury docks. One account states
he was crushed under a trailer at the Port of Tilbury's Enterprise
Distribution Centre.
Four days earlier a crane driver died in an industrial accident at the
docks. 1st November
2011
|
Wales
Incident at meat processors
Two workmen, believed to be contractors, received injuries and were
taken to hospital on Saturday afternoon following an explosion and
fire at the premises of Welsh Country Foods on the Gaerwen Industrial
Estate on Anglesey.
Both men were later released from hospital, the company reported there
had been a fire in its refrigeration plant and a small quantity of
ammonia had been released without risk to the public.
1st November 2011
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