Health and Safety News

Health and Safety News: June 2008
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A&M's Goodson could return from knee injury
Monday, 30 June 2008
HSE warns about proper maintenance of machinery

HSE has highlighted the importance of companies conducting planned
maintenance checks on machinery after inspectors discovered several
faults which could have killed employees at a West Lothian food
processing plant.
View the HSE press release.

at 08:40 0 comments
Labels: fatality, health and safety, HSE, injury, maintenance
Teen Decapitated By Roller Coaster At Six Flags

Theme Park
A teenager was decapitated by a roller coaster after he hopped a pair of
fences and entered a restricted area Saturday at Six Flags Over Georgia,
authorities said.
Six Flags officials are uncertain why the unidentified 17-year-old from
Columbia, S.C. scaled two six-foot fences and passed signs that said the
restricted area was both off-limits and dangerous to visitors,
spokeswoman Hela Sheth said in a news release.
Authorities were investigating reports from witnesses who said the
teenager jumped the fences to retrieve a hat he lost while riding the
Batman roller coaster, said Cobb County police Sgt. Dana Pierce. Police
have declined to release the teenager's name until an autopsy is
completed.
AOL news article continues...

at 02:04 0 comments
Labels: accident, fatality, news, roller coaster
http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (1 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Accident on car wash forecourt

Paramedics rushed an 18-year-old man to hospital with a serious head
injury after he was in collision with a car on a city industrial estate.
He was taken to Exeter Hospital after the accident on the forecourt of Arc
car wash, Marsh Barton.
Two police patrol cars, a paramedic rapid response car and an

ambulance attended the scene at the junction of Marsh Green Road
West and Trusham Road.
A police spokesman said: "The vehicle involved was a blue Citroen AX

and the pedestrian a local 18-year-old man, who sustained a serious
head injury."
The teenager was later transferred from the RD &E to a specialist

neurology unit at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, for further tests.
Express and Echo news article continues...

at 01:59 0 comments
Labels: accident, Devon, head injuries
Friday, 27 June 2008
HSE crackdown on construction sites in Newcastle

Work was halted on construction sites in Newcastle last week as part of a
HSE crackdown on unsafe practices.
Inspectors visited 24 contractors engaged on refurbishment sites in the

city and served four prohibition notices, effectively stopping work due to
concerns about working at height and electrical issues.
HSE press release posted 24 June 2008.

at 08:57 0 comments
Labels: construction, health and safety, HSE, news, work at
height
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Rail Death in Brigg - ongoing investigation

Police are investigating the death of a construction worker killed in an
industrial accident on Tuesday
Detectives are working with the Health and Safety Executive to find out
whether any suspicious circumstances surround the incident, reported in
yesterday's Scunthorpe Telegraph.
A police spokeswoman said: "At this time police are working with the
Health and Safety Executive in order to establish the full circumstances
surrounding the death and whether there are any suspicious
circumstances."

Network Rail yesterday revealed the man had been a contractor working
for the company.
A spokesman said the man was working for AMCO, Amalgamated

Construction, a multi-disciplinary construction and engineering contractor
which operates throughout the UK in rail, mining and engineering.
The accident happened near a rail bridge on Mill Lane, Brigg. The man
was taken to Scunthorpe General Hospital, where he later died.
Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph.

at 07:34 0 comments
Labels: accident, construction, fatality, HSE, police
Boss jailed after scaffolder injured

THE owner of a scaffolding firm has been jailed for three months for
breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act by not adequately training
his employees.
Philip Wolstenholme, owner of A1 Access Scaffolding, Rotherham, was

charged after employee Scott Mitchell fell six metres to the ground while
taking down scaffolding from a house in Priory Road, Sharrow, Sheffield.
Neither Mr Mitchell nor colleague Tony Moore had received the

necessary training to legally and safely dismantle scaffolding.
Mr Mitchell, who fractured two vertebrae and shattered his lower leg and
heel, also had not been wearing a harness.
Wolstenholme, 53, of Herringthorpe Lane, Rotherham, appeared at

Sheffield Crown Court yesterday for sentencing.
At an earlier hearing at Sheffield Magistrates' Court he had admitted

failing to adequately train and provide the correct equipment for his
employees and breaching a prohibition notice given in March 2006 that
prevented him from using any untrained scaffolders.
In November 2005 Wolstenholme had provided a scaffold that toppled

over while in use on a house in Whiston, Rotherham, causing the roofer
to jump for his life. The roofer suffered ankle injuries and post-traumatic
stress and was off work for two months.
Wolstenholme was then given an improvement notice but, when more

scaffolding he provided was found to be unfit, a prohibition notice was
served.
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspector Robert Cooper said: "Philip
Wolstenholme wilfully disregarded advice given to him by HSE and the
requirements of a prohibition notice served on him. In doing so he put the
safety of his workers at great risk."
Between the notice being served in March 2006 and the incident in
January 2007 "he had ample opportunity to train his employees. As a
consequence they were not aware of the vital safe working practices that
are necessary" in scaffolding work.
He added: "It is regrettable that an employee has suffered be-cause the

business owner ignored HSE's advice and enforcement and wasn't

prepared to invest in proper training.
"The injuries suffered by the employee were very serious and could very
easily have been fatal.
"This sad case highlights the need for employers to train people working
for them, particularly in high risk work. The HSE will not tolerate
employers who endanger the lives of their employees in this way."
Originally posted by the Yorkshire Post 24 June 2008.

at 07:28 0 comments
Labels: back injuries, fall from height, HSE, prosecution,
scaffold, training
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
'Many' bodies found in Philippine ferry

OFF SIBUYAN ISLAND, Philippines (AFP) - Philippine rescue divers said
they found many bodies Tuesday inside the ferry that sank with more
than 850 people on board, confirming the worst fears of desperate
relatives.
Anxious and angry family members had been clinging to hope their loved
ones might still be found alive inside the doomed Princess of the Stars,
which capsized and sank Saturday when it got caught in the path of a
typhoon.
But with blame flying over how the 24,000-tonne ferry was allowed to set
sail with the storm looming, shaken rescue divers said they had
discovered the worst when they finally worked their way into the
submerged ship Tuesday.
"There are still many dead inside," said one, who declined to give his
name, coming back to his coast guard rescue boat from the wreck off the
central island of Sibuyan.
He said one body was found on the bridge, wearing the uniform of a
crewman -- and still clutching the ship's radio in his hand.
Philippine civil defence chief Anthony Golez said 57 people had survived
the sinking, one of the worst maritime disasters in the country's history.
Many passengers reportedly had little time to react when the vessel,
trapped when Typhoon Fengshen suddenly changed path, began tilting
and then quickly capsized off the central island of Sibuyan.
It reportedly developed engine trouble while trying to make it to safety.
There have been reports from local officials of dozens of survivors being
found in nearby islands, but coast guard officials said they had yet to
confirm those accounts.
In the capital Manila, from where the boat set sail on Friday night, navy
spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Edgardo Arevalo confirmed that many
bodies were trapped in the vessel but said divers could not yet give more
details.
"It was too dark inside to tell how many were children or elderly, but they
did say they were mostly floating and they were apparently trapped
inside," he said.

Yahoo! news article continues...
Related article: Huge waves hampering search efforts for ferry

passengers. 23 June 2008.
at 01:57 0 comments
Labels: accident, drowning, ferry, news
Worker suffers burns after acetone catches fire

HSE has warned companies to protect employees from flammable
cleaning liquids after a Leicester man suffered burns to his hands and
legs after some acetone caught fire. Leicester-based Parmeko Plc was
fined and ordered to pay costs at Leicester Magistrates’ Court after
pleading guilty for failing to ensure the safety of an employee whilst he
was handling acetone, a flammable liquid.
Read the full HSE press release.

at 07:44 0 comments
Labels: acetone, burns, fine, fire, flammable, health and
safety, HSE
Forklift videos
How not to drive a forklift truck...


at 05:26 0 comments
Labels: accident, forklift, safety, video
Worker Hurt in Fall at Statue of Liberty

A construction worker doing maintenance near the base of the Statue of

Liberty was injured Friday, a National Park Service official said.
The worker fell about 20 feet into a cement pit and was rescued in less
than an hour, said Darren Boch, a spokesman for the Statue of Liberty.
He had been working on a cooling tower.
Park police used ropes and a gurney to pull the worker from the crevice.
MyFox new York news article posted 20 June 2008.

at 04:58 0 comments
Labels: accident, fall from height, health and safety, news
Fire crews 'lack vital flood kit'

Fire crews are going without flood equipment like lifejackets, waterproofs
and boots, one year on from the deluge of summer 2007, a study has
claimed.
Firefighters rescued 7,000 people without basic safety kit, the Fire
Brigades Union (FBU) report found.
The FBU's Matt Wrack said: "We must not be put in that position again."
But the government said it had spent £200m on specialist equipment.

The deluge claimed 13 lives and saw 44,600 homes flooded during
summer 2007.
Yorkshire and the Humber, the Midlands and south west England were
among the worst-hit areas.
'No excuse'
According to the report, firemen and women had to work in pitch black
conditions without torches and lamps during the floods.
Crews were forced to use heavy kit designed for fires because of a lack
of lifejackets and waterproofs. Poles to test the depth of water were often
not available.
Despite the heavy rainfall, many firefighters suffered dehydration due to a
lack of drinking water, the report added, and many had to sleep on floors
still wearing their wet clothes.
The situation would have been even more difficult had government plans
to shut down 46 fire control centres gone ahead, the union argues.
Mr Wrack, the FBU's general secretary, said the union was proud of its
members who were determined to protect their communities during the
floods.
"We got on with the work last year without key safety equipment and not
enough fire crews," he added.
"If firefighters are to be sent to such incidents they have an unarguable

right to do so with a reasonable degree of safety.
"There is no excuse for the lack of safety critical guidance about

equipment and training which is still putting the lives of fire crews at risk."
He said that crews were particularly angry about plans to close local

emergency fire controls, which he insisted were a "critical link" with other
emergency services during the floods.
BBC News article continues...

at 04:51 0 comments
Labels: firefighters, flood, health and safety, news, PPE
Huge waves hampering search efforts for ferry

passengers
Philippines -- The fate of hundreds of passengers and crew of a ferry that
sunk off Sibugay Island in Romblon remained unknown as of Sunday
afternoon, as strong winds and huge waves brought by Typhoon Frank
kept search and rescue teams away from the vessel, government officials
said on Sunday.
"Up to now, we cannot determine if the (more than) 700 passengers and
crew are inside the ship or if they were able to swim to the Cristo de Gallo
Island," Romblon Representative Eleandro Madrona told the National
Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) via speakerphone.
Original Inquirer news article continues...

at 04:47 0 comments
Labels: accident, fatality, ferry, news
Worker suffers serious burns in Greenwich factory

incident
HSE is warning companies to ensure maintenance work is carried out
safely after a welder suffered serious burns in an incident at the factory
formerly operated by Tate & Lyle UK Ltd, now Syral UK Ltd, at Tunnel
Avenue, Greenwich, on 12 May 2005.
Read the HSE article posted 20 June 2008.

at 06:19 0 comments
Labels: arc welding, burns, factory, HSE, maintenance, news
HSE prosecutes Weetabix after worker loses

fingertips
HSE has warned companies to ensure machinery is adequately guarded
after a worker at Kettering firm Weetabix Ltd was injured in a machinery
incident. HSE’s warning follows its prosecution of the company at
Kettering Magistrates.

Read the HSE article posted 19 June 2008.

at 06:17 0 comments
Labels: accident, guarding, HSE, prosecution
Construction worker killed by crane's boom

A 44-year-old construction worker died instantly yesterday when he
became pinned between two steel plates after a boom came loose and
struck him.
Patrick St-Amand was dismantling a crane on the 26th floor of a

condominium under construction in Montreal when the six-metre-long
boom hit him below the chin.
The thrust picked St-Amand up and pinned him between the two plates
where he was stuck for three hours, his body dangling 100 metres off the
ground.
Original article by the National Post continues...

at 06:15 0 comments
Labels: accident, crane, fatality, news
Leg lost after pressure cooker explosion

A factory worker lost his leg after an industrial pressure cooker exploded
and its steel door smashed into him.
The 44-year-old was propelled 25 feet by the blast, at the Authentic

World Cuisine manufacturing plant in Pavilion Way, Loughborough.
The father-of-two, from Loughborough, was also extensively burned by

steam, hot food and water which were blasted out of the cooker.
Yesterday, the firm was fined £4,000 at Loughborough Magistrates' Court

after admitting failing to ensure the pressure cooker was properly
maintained and in a good state of repair.
Health and Safety Executive inspector Roger Amery, prosecuting, said:

"The door blew off the vessel and one consequence was the very serious
disabling of an employee who happened to be in the wrong place at the
wrong time.
"It flew 8.3 metres taking the unfortunate worker with it.
"His left leg was pulverised and subsequently had to be surgically

amputated. His arm was badly broken and he suffered a fractured pelvis
and burns to his back, his abdomen, his legs and his face.
"His life was quite probably saved by the first aid actions of a young man
who worked at Comet next door."
Mr Amery told the court the cooker had been leaking so staff had
replaced a seal. However, they put it on the wrong way round and the

door would not close properly. They then removed locking pins which
held the door clamps in place.
The court heard the safety computer which should have stopped the
cooker working was bypassed, and 23 tons of pressure built up behind
the door before it gave way.
Dan Martin's article continues at the Leicester Mercury.

at 06:24 0 comments
Labels: burns, bypassed safety system, explosion, first aid,
leg injury, maintenance
Wednesday, 18 June 2008
Firm boss sorry for canoe death

The owner of a company who rented a canoe to a man whose daughter
later drowned after the vessel capsized said he wished he had never
seen the canoes.
Billie Clayton was on the River Wye in Powys with her twin brother
Edward and their father Ian when the accident happened at Glasbury, an
inquest heard.
Ian Clayton, 48, a presenter for ITV Yorkshire, was able to reach his son,
but Billie was not found until later.
The family were the first and last customers of Hay Canoes.
Wayne Sheppard, from Brecon, set up the company with his friend Derek
Price after enjoying canoeing with his own family.
He told the inquest he had no idea the conditions were so bad that day in
April 2006.
"If I had thought it was dangerous, I wouldn't have let you on the river, Mr
Clayton. That's gospel.
"I've got children of my own. I've got grandchildren of my own," he said.
Mr Sheppard said he had "cried for about six months" following Billie's
death.
The inquest heard the last time he or Mr Price had canoed on the river
between Glasbury and Hay-on-Wye, where the Claytons were heading,
was in late 2004 or early 2005, before the formation of an ox bow lake
which affected the current.
Mr Price, from Old Radnor, Presteigne, held up a bible as he told the

court: "I'm very sorry about this accident.
"I would swear on this Bible. I've five children of my own. I'm deeply sorry
about it. I'm so sorry."

at 03:06 0 comments
Labels: accident, drowning, fatality, news

Woman found dead in hotel pool

An elderly woman has been found dead in a swimming pool at a seaside
hotel.
The 83-year-old woman was discovered in the indoor pool at The

Grand Hotel, in Swanage, on Sunday afternoon.
It was understood that a member of staff found the woman and pulled her
out of the water but attempts to resuscitate her proved unsuccessful.
The Health and Safety Executive has been notified although a

spokesman for Dorset Police said the death was not being treated as
suspicious.
"The woman was a member of the gym at the hotel," said the police
spokesman.
"She was found in the swimming by a member of staff who pulled her out
and the performed CPR.
"However, she was pronounced dead at 1539 BST."
The dead woman has so far not been named.
Original BBC news article posted 16 June 2008.

at 03:02 0 comments
Labels: drowning, fatality, HSE, news
OSHA Fireworks Safety Video

OSHA has released a new video entitled Fireworks Safety in
Manufacturing and Retail Sales focusing on educating OSHA
compliance personnel about safety standards and best practices for the
pyrotechnics industry.
Developed under a contract with the American Pyrotechnics Association,
the video is also designed to help employers and employees identify and
reduce pyrotechnics hazards.
Thanks to GotSafety for the link.

at 09:38 0 comments
Labels: fireworks, OSHA, safety
IOSH campaigns
IOSH is Europe’s leading body for health and safety professionals. They
have nearly 33,000 members worldwide, including 13,000 Chartered
Safety and Health Practitioners.

The Institution Of Occupational Health and Safety (IOSH)

continually runs campaigns to improve health and safety. Their current
campaigns include:
> Get the Best – making sure that only qualified people give safety advice
> Putting Young Workers First – improving health and safety for
teenagers at work
> Back to Health, Back to Work – tackling illness and return-to-work
issues
Read more about these campaigns in 'Our Campaigns - Your

Support'
at 04:42 0 comments
Labels: campaign, health and safety, IOSH
Workplace deaths too high: report

A new report has accused the Government of allowing employers to
"kill and maim with impunity" after figures showed that more
people die from work-related injuries than are murdered.
Read more about the report for the Centre for Crime and Justice
Studies (CCJS).
at 04:30 0 comments
Labels: news
Transport company loses appeal following serious

incident
Harris Transport lost their appeal against the £28,000 fine handed to
them on 23 January after an incident left an employee permanently
disabled. The company now have to pay the fine in full and have incurred
additional court costs of £5,300, Southampton Crown Court heard on 2
June.
View the complete HSE press release.

at 01:35 0 comments
Labels: fine, forklift, HSE, news, prosecution
European Campaign on Risk Assessment

The European Campaign for Safety and Health at Work will this time be a
two-year campaign focussing on risk assessment.
The UK's campaign, aimed at employers, workers, safety representatives

and other stakeholders, will be officially launched in London on 24 June

2008.
Check the HSE page for updates.

at 01:31 0 comments
Labels: campaign, health and safety, news, risk
assessments, safety rep
Confined spaces on ships - guidance

The Quensland Government has produced a bulletin "to remind
shipowners, masters, crews, accredited persons, and Marine Safety
Officers of the hazards found onboard ships in particular the high risk
associated with confined spaces and the importance of using appropriate
procedures to provide for safe entry."
View the bulletin here.

at 04:59 0 comments
Labels: confined space, guidance, ships
Crewman 'suffocates' on cruise ship

A crewman is thought to have suffocated after getting trapped in the hull
of a cruise ship with a colleague.
The Filipino men were working in a ballast tank at the bottom of the Saga
Rose while she was docked at Southampton Cruise Terminal in
Hampshire.
Firefighters used breathing apparatus and a rope to go inside the tank

and rescue one man in his late 30s, who was conscious.
He was given oxygen therapy before being taken to hospital by air
ambulance.
But the second man, in his early 40s, was unconscious when rescuers
arrived and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The incident is being treated as an industrial accident and the Maritime

and Coastguard Agency is investigating on behalf of the Health and
Safety Executive.
Original ITN article continues...

at 04:56 0 comments
Labels: cruise ship, fatality, HSE, news

Inquest finds roofer’s death was an accident

A POPULAR father-of-two died after plunging through a roof light as he
did casual work for a Longham company, an inquest heard.
Carl Pearson suffered massive head injuries in the tragic accident on
December 1 last year.
And the boss of the company employing him at the time has admitted he
had no health and safety training and that he relied on Mr Pearson to
assess the risks of the job.
Jeremy Walton, managing director of Cladcoat, told the Bournemouth

inquest he realises now he should have taken responsibility but added: "I
was not a roofing expert.
"Carl said they would only be up there for a couple of hours."
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive, which has the power
to bring criminal proceedings, is still ongoing, district coroner Sheriff
Payne was told.
An inquest jury, sitting at Bournemouth town hall, was told Mr Pearson,

42, was an experienced roof worker who knew the risks involved with
translucent roof lights.
But he fell through as he worked with friend and colleague Guy Blake at a
factory unit in Wharfdale Road, Bournemouth, on the morning of
December 1 last year.
Mr Blake told the inquest he and Mr Pearson were replacing the roof
lights and that he had his back to him at the time of the accident.
"I heard a crack and when I turned round he had disappeared - he did not
shout."
Mr Pearson was taken to Poole Hospital's intensive treatment unit but

failed to regain consciousness and was pronounced dead the following
morning.
His organs were donated and have transformed the lives of three people
so far, the inquest was told.
A 12-year-old girl received his liver, a 44-year-old woman was given a

kidney and his pancreas and a 46-year-old woman also received a kidney.
After the inquest, Mr Pearson's mum, Patricia Morgan, said: "He will be
sadly missed by his two children, Luke, 14, and nine-year-old Abbie and
by his mother, father, brothers, aunt, uncle and brother-in-law whom he
was very close to.
"Carl was a local man and was well respected by his many friends and
work colleagues."
She said her son, the eldest of four boys, moved to Bournemouth when
he was 18 after falling in love with the town during a holiday.
He was married for 14 years but was separated from his wife and living
with his aunt and uncle, Shirley and Dave, in Pitt House, Hurn, at the time
of his death.
"We are just upset that we will never know why and how he fell," she
added.
"No one seems to be able to answer that question."

Mrs Morgan said: "We have heard from the woman who received his
kidney and pancreas and she thanked the family.
"She said she can live a completely healthy life now so at least some
good has come out of all this."
The jury returned a verdict of accidental death.
Original article posted 10 June 2008 by Jane Reader.

at 06:24 0 comments
Labels: accident, fall from height, fatality, organ donation,
roofing
Royal Marine killed in an accident

A Plymouth Royal Marine was killed when he became trapped between
two military heavy goods vehicles in a training accident in Yorkshire.
The Royal Marines Commando, Corporal Phillip Smith from Lostwithiel,

died at the scene of the collision, in Range Road, Catterick Garrison, in
North Yorkshire, close to Catterick Golf Club, yesterday evening.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the 26-year-old, whose

Commando unit is based in Plymouth, Devon, was involved in a training
operation at Catterick Garrison.
The spokesman said: "The collision occurred at about 7.45pm, and

involved two green MAN Army vehicles, which had been travelling along
the road, away from the direction of the Garrison.
"Both vehicles had pulled off the road into a turning circle, next to the golf
course.
"The driver of one of the lorries, who had got out of his cab, sustained
fatal injuries when he became trapped between the two vehicles. "He was
pronounced dead at the scene.
"Both the deceased and the other driver were members of the Royal
Marines, from 42 Commando, based in Plymouth. "They were visiting
Catterick Garrison to take part in a training exercise.
"The road was closed while collision investigators carried out a full
examination of the scene. "It was reopened at 12.30am."
The police spokeswoman said that the Health and Safety Executive had
also been informed of the collision.
Original article posted 10 June 2008.

at 01:17 0 comments
Labels: accident, Devon, fatality, HSE, police, Royal Marine
Wednesday, 11 June 2008

OSHA cites North East Linen for multiple safety and

health violations
OSHA has cited North East Linen for multiple alleged safety and health
violations after a double fatality at the company’s Linden, N.J., facility.
OSHA initiated its investigation on Dec. 1, 2007, following the fatal
accident. Two employees, who were cleaning a wastewater tank, were
discovered at the bottom of the tank, which was oxygen-deficient and
contained hazardous chemicals. The investigation resulted in 1 willful, 12
serious, and 2 other-than-serious violations.
"North East Linen did not take the appropriate steps to train its
employees about potential hazards and to ensure its employees did not
enter the wastewater tank, which led to this tragedy," says Robert D.
Kulick, director of OSHA’s Avenel, N.J., area office.
The company was cited for a willful violation for failing to provide hazard
communication training. The serious citations include North East Linen’s
failure to provide adequate means of egress; to take effective measures
to prevent employees from entering the wastewater tank; to lock out, or
prevent accidental start-up of, equipment; to determine the presence and
quantity of asbestos-containing material and not labeling the material; to
close unused openings on an electrical panel; and to provide other
necessary training.
"This horrible tragedy underscores the need for all employers to

implement effective safety and health management systems," said Louis
Ricca Jr., acting administrator for OSHA’s New York region. "It also
reinforces the need for employers to provide their employees with
appropriate training, direction, personal protective equipment, and
engineering controls, particularly when working in and around confined
spaces."
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference
to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health. A serious
citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result
from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
The agency is proposing a total of $79,250 in fines for the combined
violations.

at 05:15 0 comments
Labels: fatality, linen, news, OSHA
Alberta Teen Killed In Forklift Accident

EDMONTON - Police and workplace safety officials are investigating after
a 16-year-old yard labourer was crushed and killed by a forklift this
weekend at a Rona Building Centre in St. Albert.
The teenager was hanging on to the side of the moving forklift on

Saturday when the machine tipped over and crushed him, said
Workplace Health and Safety spokeswoman Katrina Bluetchen.
Friends have identified the teen as Mitchell Tanner, who had recently
started working at Rona. Mitchell was dead by the time paramedics
arrived, said Captain Hank Koster of St. Albert Emergency Medical
Services. The accident happened at about noon.
The forklift is built for one driver and there is no passenger seat.


at 05:11 0 comments
Labels: accident, fatality, forklift, health and safety, news,
teenager
Five killed as building collapses

Five labour department inspectors were at the site of a collapsed building
in Stellenbosch on Monday night where five construction workers from
Gordon's Bay were killed.
Four were killed instantly and a fifth succumbed later in hospital, where
five injured workers were recovering on Monday night.
Renovation work was being done on the JF Hillebrand building in an
industrial area on the Devon Valley Road near Bosman's Crossing, when
it collapsed yesterday at lunchtime.
The first floor of the JF Hillebrand building, which once belonged to KWV,
collapsed, trapping workers, Stellenbosch municipal fire brigade chief of
operations Tasso Steyn said.
Of the injured, one worker had been pinned at his right elbow between a
windowsill and the floor and was freed by rescue workers.
Another man lost fingers on his right hand, said Steyn.
All the injured were employed by the construction company La Vita

Builders CC, in Gordon's Bay, police spokesperson Andre Traut said.
One of the bodies, close to an exit, had been recovered from the rubble,
Steyn said.
Three other bodies remained under the rubble when the recovery efforts
were called off as the site had been deemed unsafe by a structural
engineer, said ER24 intermediate life support paramedic Nico Grobbelaar.
He said the inside of the building had been destroyed but the outer walls
were still intact and could fall on to the warehouse next door.
Article continues...
at 05:09 0 comments
Labels: accident, amputation, collapse, fatality, South Africa
Race accident figures 'worrying'

The number of serious accidents which happened on open roads during
the TT races is "worrying", a senior Isle of Man police officer has said.
At least three bikers were killed in accidents during the festival.
Insp Richard Power said it was very difficult to judge the standard of
riding among those who came over to the island for this year's event.

But many police officers out on the roads said in many cases bikers were
riding beyond their capabilities.
Insp Power said police would continue to assess what else could be done
to stop more fatal accidents on the roads.

at 07:46 0 comments
Labels: fatality, news, police, racing
Fireman without licence for years

A Japanese firefighter has been sacked after driving fire engines and
ambulances for more than 20 years without a licence.
The man, who worked in Takaoka City, was only discovered during a
routine inspection of licences last week.
According to his bosses, he appeared reluctant to produce his licence,

but when he did the inspector realised the man was using his father's
licence.
He had tried to hide the photograph with his fingers.
The man told his superiors he had attended driving school but failed the
written exam.
Nonetheless he had driven ambulances more than 300 times, and driven
fire engines on almost 100 occasions...
Full news article by Chris Hogg posted 10 June 2008.

at 07:35 0 comments
Labels: health and safety, Japan, news
New rights for temporary workers

New measures giving Britain's temporary workers equal rights to
permanent members of staff have been agreed by European Union
employment ministers.
The move aims to give temporary workers the same rights in areas like
holiday and sick pay as permanent colleagues.
The Luxembourg talks also confirmed the UK's opt-out from the working
time directive and a maximum 48-hour week.
Business Secretary John Hutton described the 12-hour meeting's

outcome as "a very good deal for Britain".
Under the deal, Britain's 1.3 million agency workers will get the same pay
and conditions as permanent staff after being employed for 12 weeks.

at 02:02 0 comments
Labels: agency workers, health and safety, news, sick pay
Shot police officer 'playing criminal'

A police officer who was shot to death by a colleague during a training
exercise in Manchester was playing the role of a criminal fleeing in a car.
PC Ian Terry, 32, from Burnley, Lancashire, was shot as armed officers
went through a drill practising the stopping of armed offenders.
PC Terry, a married man with children, was taken to North Manchester

General Hospital, where he later died.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating.

It said PC Terry died after being struck by a single shot discharged from a
shotgun carried by a colleague at the training area in Newton Heath.
He was killed while officers used "special munitions" designed to stop

vehicles containing armed criminals.
Police and the IPCC have not said what type of bullet the officer was hit
by.
It came amid reports he was blasted by a cartridge containing CS gas.
The "hard-stop" exercises police practice involves officers blasting a CS

canister into suspects cars to disable the occupants and other officers
pulling alongside to shoot out the wheels.
BBC article continues...

at 01:55 0 comments
Labels: fatality, news, police
What you need to know if you run a business

If you run a business, you have a responsibility to protect the health and
safety of your staff and others affected by your work. Managing health
and safety does not need to be expensive, time-consuming or
bureaucratic. In fact, good health and safety is good business.
For more information, follow the links below:
Business benefits
Roles and responsibilities
Corporate responsibility
Case studies
at 01:13 0 comments
Labels: health and safety, HSE, management

Monday, 9 June 2008
Two die in Stavropol Territory light aircraft crash

Two workers engaged in crop spraying were killed on Sunday when their
An-2 aircraft crashed in Novochernovsky, a rural location in the
Trunovsky area of Stavropol, where heavy drizzle had reduced visibility.
Read a detailed news report posted 7 June 2008.

at 06:38 0 comments
Labels: aeroplane, fatality, Russia
Care home window fall death

A 79-year-old man has died following a fall from a first floor window of
the care home he had been living at.
The man, who had been a resident at Plas Rhosnesni in Wrexham,

suffered head injuries in the fall on Sunday.
He was treated at Wrexham's Maelor Hospital but died on Thursday. A

post mortem examination will be carried out.
North Wales Police, the Health and Safety Executive and the
Care & Social Services Inspectorate for Wales have launched a joint
investigation.
Jane Worsely, director of operations for Hallmark Healthcare which runs
the home, said: "I can confirm that an incident happened at the home at
the beginning of June.
"We are working closely with all the relevant authorities to find out exactly
what happened.
"Our thoughts and condolences are with the friends and family at this
time."

at 06:33 0 comments
Labels: fall from height, fatality, head injuries, HSE, police
Ladders - pre use checks - things to look for

It is good practice to check your ladder before you use it. If your ladder is
not up to scratch you could fall from it. You don’t have to fall far to land
hard. Last year nearly 100 workers a month suffered broken bones or
head injuries following a fall from a ladder. Most of them didn’t fall very
far, below head height. Take a moment to check your ladder, not a fall.
If your ladder is not up to scratch tell your manager or supervisor straight

away - Do not use your ladder.
View the HSE information page to help you make sure that
a ladder is safe to use before you use it.
at 02:22 0 comments
Labels: HSE, ladder, maintenance, safety checks
Freight company prosecuted by HSE following death

of worker
Following the death of an employee, in March 2006, the HSE (Health and
Safety Executive) pursued a prosecution against Berser International
Cargo Services Ltd for alleged breaches of health and safety at work
legislation.
Legal proceedings were brought after Mr Martyn Simm (45), a lorry-

driving employee, was killed when a sliding metal gate weighing
0.4tonnes (8cwt) fell onto him as he was closing it, on the company's site
in Chesterton,Newcastle-under-Lyme.
At Stafford Crown Court (on Monday 2nd June,2008) Berser International

Cargo Services Ltd, was fined £22,000 with costs of £18,000 having
pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge brought by HSE under
Regulation 5(1) of the Workplace Health, Safety & Welfare Regulations
1992.
The company had admitted breaching health and safety legislation, by

failing to 'maintain equipment and devices (including the access gates to
the premises) in efficient working order and in good repair'.
HSE inspector Rachel Bradshaw said:

"Basic maintenance of equipment is often ignored by employers and lives
are put at risk as a result. There was a very obvious defect on this gate
that a simple visual check would have identified. A few moments work
and simple modifications would have prevented this tragedy from
occurring."

at 02:19 0 comments
Labels: fatality, HSE, maintenance
Myth: Adults can't put plasters on children's cuts

The Health and Safety Executive's Myth of the Month.
There is no rule that says a responsible adult can’t put a plaster on a

child's minor cut. Some children do have an allergy to normal plasters. If
you know a child is allergic you can use the Hypo-allergenic type of
plaster. The important thing is to clean and cover the cut to stop it getting
infected.
Myth of the Month.

at 02:10 0 comments
Labels: HSE, myth
Monday, 2 June 2008
Don’t be a safety nerd

Workers join unions because they are concerned about
safety, and stay in unions for the same reason. That’s why
training trade union safety reps in the links between safety
and organisation is a top priority for TUC. And it is how
global building union BWI is recruiting members worldwide.
If you know how many parts per million of toluene will send you loopy, but
don’t have the first clue how to get rid of it, you’ve sort of lost the plot.
Being a trade union safety rep is not about what you know, it’s about
what you do – involving members, uncovering problems and, crucially,
demanding action.
This means you do need to hone your skills and knowledge on health
and safety, without transforming yourself into what some shop

stewards describe as a ‘Single Issue Freak.’ The trick is to investigate

and identify problems with the intention of using the union’s influence to
win improvements.
Liz Rees, head of TUC’s education service, knows the value of safety
reps and says “safety rep training is the jewel in the crown of TUC
Education.” She adds: “We aim to provide everything a safety rep
needs to know to represent their members effectively, and to assist and
support in dealing with workplace problems, supporting members and
organising for health and safety.”
Courses are free to safety reps from affiliated unions and come with
accreditation from the National Open College Network (NOCN) and the
Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH). “During the past
year, we have been working with the Qualification Curriculum Authority
(QCA), the body that determines the adult education curriculum for the
UK, to pilot their new qualification framework, which is based on the kinds
of credits we have been making available to reps for more than 10 years,”
she adds.
Article continues...
at 02:10 0 comments
Labels: health and safety, IOSH, NOCN, QCA, safety, safety
rep, TUC, union
Elephant tramples seven villagers to death

NEW DELHI - An elephant has rampaged through a village in northern
India, killing at least seven people and injuring 24 others before it was
destroyed, wildlife officials and conservationists said.
A female elephant entered the village of Bhudaheda on the edge of the

Jim Corbett National Park, and began destroying crops, said Srikant
Chandola, the park's chief wildlife officer.
The people tried to frighten it away by beating drums, he said. That's

when the animal started trampling people.
Belinda Wright, director of the Wildlife Protection Society of India, said
the elephant had apparently entered the village after becoming separated
from its herd.
"The people have surrounded it and they are just shouting and screaming
at the elephant and the elephant is going berserk," she said.
Amit Chandola, a spokesman for the government of Uttarakhand state,

where the park is located, said that wildlife officials had been ordered to
shoot and kill the elephant.
After several hours the elephant was killed, said Wright...
Original article posted 30 May 2008.

at 02:05 0 comments
Labels: accident, elephant, fatality, India, wildlife

Crush accident at Monrovia stadium

At least 10 people were either trampled to death or suffocated yesterday
when a stadium railing in a packed Monrovia Stadium collapsed and they
fell into a teeming crowd below.
The tragedy occurred at the Group 6 Afcon/World Cup qualifying match

between Liberia and Gambia in the 33,000-seat Samuel K. Doe stadium.
Thousands of people had entered using fake tickets, stranding real ticket
holders outside. Stadium officials could not differentiate between the real
and fake tickets and had already allowed too many people to enter before
they realised their mistake.
Hours before the start of the match, United Nations peacekeepers had
closed the gates of the stadium when it became clear that the stadium
was already beyond capacity.
According to eyewitnesses the rowdy crowd in the upper terrace were

pushing and shoving when the metal railing broke sending dozens of fans
tumbling onto those on the ground level. Some fans were trampled to
death in the ensuing frenzy while others were suffocated.
“Spectators tried all sorts of means to save (them), but could not help,”
said Liberian Red Cross rescue worker Emmanuel Johnson.

at 02:00 0 comments
Labels: fatality, football, United Nations
HSE investigates Tottenham factory death

A factory worker involved in a workplace accident under
investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has died.
Balbir Singh Rayatt (55) of Goodmayes, Essex, was employed at Cannon

Rubber Ltd on Tottenham High Road, London, suffered head injuries
in a forklift truck accident at the company's plant last week.
He died around 24 hours later last Wednesday at the Royal London

Hospital, the Tottenham, Wood Green and Edmonton Journal reports...
Original article posted 30 May 2008.

at 01:52 0 comments
Labels: accident, fatality, forklift, head injuries, health and
safety, HSE, London
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Health and Safety News: June 2008

A&M's Goodson could return from knee injury

Monday, 30 June 2008

HSE warns about proper maintenance of machinery

View the HSE press release.

Teen Decapitated By Roller Coaster At Six Flags

AOL news article continues...

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (1 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Accident on car wash forecourt

Two police patrol cars, a paramedic rapid response car and an

A police spokesman said: "The vehicle involved was a blue Citroen AX

The teenager was later transferred from the RD &E to a specialist

Express and Echo news article continues...

Friday, 27 June 2008

HSE crackdown on construction sites in Newcastle

Inspectors visited 24 contractors engaged on refurbishment sites in the

HSE press release posted 24 June 2008.

Thursday, 26 June 2008

Rail Death in Brigg - ongoing investigation

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (2 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

A spokesman said the man was working for AMCO, Amalgamated

Source: Scunthorpe Telegraph.

Boss jailed after scaffolder injured

Philip Wolstenholme, owner of A1 Access Scaffolding, Rotherham, was

Neither Mr Mitchell nor colleague Tony Moore had received the

Wolstenholme, 53, of Herringthorpe Lane, Rotherham, appeared at

At an earlier hearing at Sheffield Magistrates' Court he had admitted

In November 2005 Wolstenholme had provided a scaffold that toppled

Wolstenholme was then given an improvement notice but, when more

He added: "It is regrettable that an employee has suffered be-cause the

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (3 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

prepared to invest in proper training.

Originally posted by the Yorkshire Post 24 June 2008.

Tuesday, 24 June 2008

'Many' bodies found in Philippine ferry

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (4 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Yahoo! news article continues...

Related article: Huge waves hampering search efforts for ferry

Monday, 23 June 2008

Worker suffers burns after acetone catches fire

Read the full HSE press release.

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (5 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (6 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Worker Hurt in Fall at Statue of Liberty

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (7 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Liberty was injured Friday, a National Park Service official said.

MyFox new York news article posted 20 June 2008.

Fire crews 'lack vital flood kit'

But the government said it had spent £200m on specialist equipment.

"If firefighters are to be sent to such incidents they have an unarguable

"There is no excuse for the lack of safety critical guidance about

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (8 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

BBC News article continues...

Huge waves hampering search efforts for ferry

Original Inquirer news article continues...

Friday, 20 June 2008

Worker suffers serious burns in Greenwich factory

Read the HSE article posted 20 June 2008.

HSE prosecutes Weetabix after worker loses

http://handsnews.blogspot.com/2008_06_01_archive.html (9 of 28) [05/11/2008 13:31:37]

Read the HSE article posted 19 June 2008.

Construction worker killed by crane's boom

Patrick St-Amand was dismantling a crane on the 26th floor of a