11 September 2025
The Health and Safety Inspectorate (HSI) has been made aware of an incident during a lifting operation, where a slinger was fatally crushed between the quick hitch on an excavator boom and a fixed structure.
A subsequent investigation found that the excavator operator was leaning out of his cab to communicate with the slinger when the operator inadvertently made contact with the left-hand joystick, causing the excavator to slew, striking the slinger, and causing the fatal injuries.
The safety control lever had not been applied to isolate the machine.
If there are people in the operational arc of an excavator or similar mobile plant, the safety control lever should be applied, or other methods used, to isolate the machine, while at rest (tick over). Research shows unintended movements of plant do occur, but use of a safety control lever or isolation device can prevent this.
Any work on a construction site involving mobile plant capable of movement through the actions of motors or engines qualifies as high-risk construction work in accordance with the Health and Safety (Management in Construction) (Jersey) Regulations 2016.
Safe work method statements should be prepared and trained out for these activities.
Dutyholders must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure the safety of persons in the working arc of slewing plant and any load, with the proper planning, management, and monitoring of work activities.
This will include:
- conducting a suitable and sufficient risk assessment for work activities where excavators are used as lifting appliances
- ensuring that machine operators, slingers and others are competent for the tasks they are being asked to perform. This will include appropriate training and assessment, including in the use of safety devices
- ensuring that safety devices in machinery are in good working order
Further guidance
Guidance on the Health and Safety (Management in Construction) (Jersey) Regulations, 2016
Construction Industry Plant Safety Group (CPA) Guidance on Reducing Unintended Movement of Plant
Construction Plant Hire Association (CPA) Guidance on Lifting Operations with 180° and 360° Excavators
GB Health and Safety Executive Research Report 1000 – Inadvertent operation of controls in excavator plant – insight, analysis and recommendations for prevention by design
gov.je