Effort with forklift mast fails, crane operator killed
Palm Harbor, FL, United States
Apparent insecure tension in elevating a forklift mast caused a crane to topple at Home Port Marina and eject the operator who suffered fatal head injuries.
The Pinellas County sheriff's office says independent crane contractor Ivan Hubbert was removing the forklift mast for a repair project.
Officials indicate that less than sufficient tension probably resulted in the mast shifting and the crane flipping on its side onto two boats.
Hubbert landed on the pavement, experienced severe head trauma and was dead at the scene, according to paramedics responding to the 15 June emergency. The marina hired Hubbert, 71, of Tarpon Springs, Florida to perform the work.
The marina in Palm Harbor provides storage in covered or uncovered wet slips and high or low dry bays.
The sheriff's office is continuing its investigation of the incident.

Terex president to address Europlatform conference
Des Plaines, IL, United States
Tim Ford, president of Terex Aerial Work Platforms, will deliver the keynote address at the Europlatform access rental conference on 15 September 2009 at the Atahotel Expo Fiera in Milan, Italy. The conference will take the theme of "Access Rentals: Ready for the Rebound?"
The one-day conference is dedicated to access rental management issues and is targeted at senior management. It is jointly organised by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) and its official magazine Access International.
The conference will be held in English, with simultaneous translation in Italian and more information can be found at www.europlatform.info.