Apprentice Plumber Struck by excavator bucket (5 September 2024)

A 34-year-old 4th year apprentice plumber was undertaking plumbing drainage work at a construction site when he was struck by an excavator bucket sustaining multiple fractures and serious injuries.

An aqua blue excavator arm with a detached bucket on a work site. In the background, a fence is visible, and plumber pips are sticking up from the ground.
Image 1 shows an excavator arm and detached bucket on a work site.
An excavator bucket lying on the ground at a work site. Plumber pipes sticking out from the ground with dry concrete mix around them, visible in the foreground and background
Image 2 shows an excavator bucket lying on the ground on a work site.

Safety information

Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with working around moving plant.

Ensure:

  • traffic hazards are identified:
    • consult with workers and mobile plant operators
    • determine where mobile plant is in use
    • determine potential locations and circumstances where people and plant could collide
  • a Safe Work Method Statement (SWMS) is developed and documented in consultation with workers. Make sure all relevant workers understand and implement the SWMS
  • an exclusion zone is set up around the plant to keep people safe around moving plant and machinery
  • the risk is eliminated, if possible
  • the risk is minimised, if elimination isn’t possible:
    • use bollards, barriers, safety rails or exclusion zones to separate people from moving plant and vehicles
    • effective system of communication between ground workers and operators
    • use alarms to warn people of moving plant – eg. reversing alarm, flashing lights
    • operator/s of the plant to hold the correct licence or qualification for the specific item of plant being used.
    • plan the site’s layout to minimise plant and vehicle hazards
    • establish traffic flow patterns, develop right of way procedures, use signs and speed limits
    • restrict access
    • have mobile phone procedures
    • wear high-visibility garments
  • workers involved in a task are consulted, properly instructed, and trained on how to carry out the task safely. They must know all relevant health and safety information about the task, including the risks and how to manage them.

Statistics

Safety around moving plant is a SafeWork NSW regulatory priority with a focus on reducing workplace safety incidents related to moving plant, and forms part of the Work Health and Safety Blueprint to 2026.

Moving plant and vehicles such as excavators, forklifts, utes, and trucks create a risk to workers when reversing, loading, and unloading. Incidents such as workers or others being hit by moving plant or vehicles can cause injury and death.

Data from the SafeWork NSW Safety Around Moving Plant Priority Plan shows from 2017-2021, 65% of all injuries which involved machinery and fixed plant resulted in a major workers compensation claim.

In 2022, SafeWork NSW delivered compliance projects including Earthmoving Plant in Construction, Concrete Placing Equipment, and Cranes (mobile and tower) with a specific focus on types of plant. Inspectors continued to see low safety compliance levels with some key areas including plant collisions, workers being hit, and inadequate traffic/vehicle management systems in place, particularly involving excavators, concrete pumps, cranes, and skidsteers.

Ref: Findings Report: Safety around moving plant and vehicles 2023

Related guidance material

Further information

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