Excavators: Use of safety control lever or isolation devices

Health and Safety Executive - Safety notice

Department name: Energy Division

Bulletin number: ED02-2025
Issue date: 08/25
Target audience: Excavator operators, slingers and anyone working near them.

Issue

There is a risk that people can be struck by the excavator or a load if the excavator operator does not use the safety control lever or isolation device correctly.

Outline of the problem

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 occur, but use of a safety control lever or isolation device can prevent this.

Inadvertent contact with joystick control

During a lifting operation, a slinger was fatally crushed between the quick hitch and a fixed structure. The excavator operator was leaning out of his cab to communicate with the slinger when he inadvertently made contact with the left-hand joystick, causing the excavator to slew. The safety control lever had not been applied to isolate the machine.

Action required

Duty holders must, so far as reasonably practicable, ensure the safety of persons in the working arc of slewing plant and also any load, with the proper planning, management and monitoring of work activities.

Isolation of plant

Operators should use the safety control lever or isolation device correctly. Duty holders should monitor the application of, and correct use of, the safety control device.

Machine operators, and people around plant, should be aware of the importance of machine isolation before approach. Machine operators should ensure that a communication is given to those around plant when it is safe to approach.

Assess the risk

Duty holders must ensure that a suitable and sufficient risk assessment is in place for work activities where excavators are used as lifting appliances.

Competency

Employers or duty holders must ensure that machine operators, slingers and others are competent for the task. This means that they have been appropriately trained and assessed. Competence also includes having experience, knowledge, and other qualities so machine operators and operatives can properly undertake their duties.

Guidance

HSE guidance on Excavators: Overview - HSE
HSE guidance on Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations
Construction Plant-hire Association, Construction Industry Plant Safety Group guidance on Reducing Unintended Movement of Plant
Construction Plant-hire Association, Construction Industry Plant Safety Group guidance on Lifting Operations with 180o and 360o Excavators
HSE Research report: Inadvertent operation of controls in excavator plant - insight, analysis and recommendations for prevention by design