New HSE Excavator Safety Guidance Explained

If you are operating an excavator in 2025, it is vital that you strap in, as we bring you up to date.

In August 2025, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) introduced a major safety guidance update that directly affects not only operators, but also site managers and company directors who run fleets of machinery.

The change follows a series of serious and fatal incidents where machines were moved unexpectedly because safety controls or isolators weren’t properly used.

For operators, this is no longer a matter of best practice. It is now a legal requirement to use the safety control levers or isolation device whenever a machine is at rest. Failing to comply could potentially put lives at risk and businesses could face prosecution under LOLER, PUWER, CDM Regulations, and the Health and Safety at Work Act.

In this WHC Hire article, we’ll break down the jargon and clear up what’s changed, why it matters, and what operators and businesses need to do to stay safe and compliant.

What’s Changed in Excavator Safety Law?

In August 2025, the HSE updated the safety notice, highlighting the use of excavator control levers and isolation devices. Now, this is no longer just guidance, it is effectively a legal update clarifying the operator’s responsibilities under existing UK health and safety legislation including:

PUWER (Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998) – equipment must be safe for use, properly maintained, and include necessary safeguards. Failing to use an isolation device now constitutes non-compliance.
LOLER (Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998) – lifting and moving operations must be planned and carried out safely, which includes isolating equipment when it is not actively being used.
Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 – employees must take reasonable care of themselves and others, and employers must ensure equipment is safe and properly maintained.

The biggest change that HSE has explicitly outlined in their update is that excavator operators are required to engage the safety control levers or isolation devices whenever the machine is at rest. This includes:

When leaving the excavator cabin, even briefly.
During any lifting or digging operations if the machine is idle.
During maintenance or inspections.

Previous Requirements For Isolation Devices On Excavators

Prior to the introduction of this new legal requirement, operators were only strongly advised to use them and was largely deemed as best practise to do so.

However, with the introduction of this new safety guidance update from August 2025, the notice clarifies that failing to engage these safety features could now be considered a breach of law. Resulting in consequences including fines, prosecution or even criminal liability in the worst case scenario.

In short, what was once good practice is now a legal requirement, and HSE inspectors will treat non-compliance seriously during site visits and investigations. For operators, this means there is no longer any excuse for leaving a machine live when it should be isolated.

Why This Change Matters To Operators

Many operators may feel that this is just another set of rules set out by HSE, but in truth, it directly affects the safety of everyone on site. Operators included. Let us explain.

Excavators are incredibly powerful machines; even with the smallest of designs, unintended movements can have a catastrophic consequence. By making the safety control levers and isolations a legal requirement, the HSE is sending a clear message to operators that they must take personal responsibility for preventing accidents.

Life Changing Consequences

The recent safety guidance update hasn’t come around by chance. It has been prompted by a series of incidents, including a fatal accident where a slinger was crushed after an excavator moved unexpectedly.

The operator had briefly left the cabin without engaging the isolation lever, which may have seemed like a minor oversight, but was deemed fatal.

Remember that, still to this day we operate in the most dangerous industry in the world. One small lapse in concentration can have a life-changing effect. Operators who fail to comply are not only putting others at risk, but also exposing themselves to a whole bunch of consequences.

Why This Change Matters To Employers

This new safety guidance update doesn’t just affect excavator operators; it has a significant impact on employers too. In fact, it makes employers just as accountable.

While excavator operators have clear duties operating the machinery safely, employers, contractors and site managers will now be legally accountable for ensuring that the machinery is safe, the operators are properly trained, and all risks are effectively managed.

This August 2025 update raises the stakes for employers, making it clear that they must actively enforce safe isolation practices across their operations.

Legal Responsibilities

Under UK health and safety law, employers are responsible for providing a safe working environment.

Failing to comply can lead to HSE enforcement notices, fines, and even prosecution of company directors or site managers if an accident occurs.

Financial and Reputational Risks

Accidents caused by poor practice don’t just have devastating consequences for the people directly involved — they can also seriously damage a business’s reputation and finances.

Fines and penalties for breaches of PUWER, LOLER, or the Health and Safety at Work Act.
Increased insurance premiums that rise significantly following an incident.
Reputational damage, which can cost contracts and long-term business opportunities.

For employers, this isn’t about adding unnecessary red tape. It’s about saving lives, reducing downtime, and protecting the business. By enforcing the proper use of isolation devices, employers are not only meeting their legal responsibilities but also creating safer, more productive worksites.

What Is The Safety Control Lever/Isolation Device?

In the vast majority of excavator designs, the safety control lever or isolation device refers to the left-hand armrest, or deadman’s handle. On smaller excavators:

In the upright position, the excavator is isolated.

In the downward position, the excavator is live.

On larger excavators:

Pointing downward, the machine is isolated

Pointing horizontally, the machine is live

Always isolate the excavator when exiting the cab, leaning out, or leaving the machine unattended. This simple step eliminates the risk of unintentional movements.

Checklist For Operators (HSE August 2025 Update)

Before starting work

Check that the excavator safety control lever or isolation device works correctly during your daily checks.
Do not use machinery that is faulty. This could compromise your safety and the safety of others.
Ensure your training is up to date and you are aware of the site rules of isolation

During Operation

Always engage the safety control lever when:

Exiting the cabin, even briefly.
Leaning out of the cab in any way.
Leaving the excavator unattended.
Do not allow other staff members to enter the strike zone without isolation taking place.
Keep hands, feet and clothing away from the controls when not in operation.

End Of Shift

Park the excavator on level ground.
Fully engage the isolation lever when dismounting.
Conduct your end-of-shift checks, ensuring the machine cannot move whilst not in use.

Checklist For Employers & Site Managers (HSE August 2025 Update)

Planning & Risk Assessment

Carry out risk assessments for all excavator operations, including lifting tasks.
Include isolation procedures as part of safe systems of work.
Ensure lifting plans account for the need to immobilise excavators when idle.

Equipment & Maintenance

Confirm all excavators are fitted with functional safety control levers or isolation devices.
Remove any machine with a faulty or unreliable isolation device until repaired.
Keep maintenance records up to date and verify isolation devices during inspections.

Training & Competence

Provide training and refresher courses for operators, slingers, and supervisors on the legal requirement to use isolation devices.
Verify that only competent, trained staff are permitted to operate excavators.
Brief all site personnel on safe approach procedures around excavators.

Supervision & Monitoring

Enforce site rules requiring operators to engage isolation devices whenever machines are at rest.
Monitor compliance regularly through supervision, audits, or spot checks.
Take immediate action if unsafe practices are observed.

Communication & Culture

Foster a site culture where workers feel confident reporting faults or unsafe behaviour.
Ensure operators and ground workers have clear communication protocols before approaching a machine.
Lead by example — prioritise safety over productivity pressures.

How To Stay Compliant In Modern-Day Operations

The use of the safety isolation lever isn’t new to most operators. In fact, for many experienced professionals, it’s already second nature and part of their best practice on-site.

However, for those who may be tempted to skip this crucial safety step, the HSE has now issued a clear warning. With the recent safety guidance update, it is now far easier to fine and prosecute both operators and businesses that fail to comply.

Increase Safety & Protect Your Workforce With WHC Hire.

At WHC Hire Services, safety isn’t just a policy — it’s a proven track record. As an 8-time consecutive RoSPA Gold Award winner, WHC continues to lead the way in setting safety standards across the plant hire industry.

Protect your workforce, safeguard your reputation, and stay compliant with the latest HSE update. Partner with WHC Hire Services for safe, high-quality equipment and expert support. Visit our website today to see how we can help keep your operations running safely and efficiently.