2008 has just kicked off, and we already have a victim to write down on this year's list. Jesmond Vella, a 39-year-old construction worker, died when the truck he was driving fell into a quarry known as Ta' Flusu in Marsascala on Friday 4th January 2008.

Mr Vella was unloading his truck when some aggregate gave away causing the vehicle to fall a height of more than one storey into the quarry, killing the worker on the spot.

Our sympathies go to the victim's family and his loved ones. We truly augur that 2008 will bring about a change in the approach towards health and safety at all levels of the organisation.