10d • Human Factors
Case Study 107: Slinger Lifted 20 Metres off the Ground
Incident Overview
During a tower crane operation on a UK construction site, a tub of mortar was being lifted to upper floors for bricklayers.
As the load began travelling upward, the slinger was still holding the tagline attached to the load. During the lift, the tagline became twisted and wrapped around the slinger’s hand, causing him to be lifted from the ground together with the moving load.
The slinger was reportedly lifted approximately 3-4 storeys high (around 20 metres) before someone on site noticed the situation and communicated with the crane operator to stop the lift immediately.
The incident had extremely high fatality potential.
What Went Wrong
Slinger remained attached to the tagline during live lifting operation
Tagline wrapped/twisted around the slinger’s hand
No safe release distance maintained from suspended load
Lifting operation continued without immediate recognition of entanglement
Poor monitoring of load travel during vertical movement
Unsafe proximity between personnel and suspended load
Key Lessons Learned
Taglines must control the load, not control the person
Personnel should never wrap taglines around hands or body parts
Entanglement hazards can become fatal within seconds
Tower crane lifts require constant monitoring during load travel
Simple unsafe habits can escalate into life-threatening incidents
Safety Recommendations
Never wrap taglines around hands, wrists, or body.
Maintain safe distance from suspended loads during lifting.
Release taglines once load control is no longer required.
Brief lifting teams on entanglement and snagging hazards.
Ensure crane operators and supervisors actively monitor load travel paths.
Stop lifting operations immediately if personnel become entangled.
Incident Source
Real incident reported on a UK construction site (2026).
Slinger lifted approximately 20 metres after tagline became wrapped around hand during tower crane mortar tub lift.
Regulatory Mapping
● LOLER Reg. 8 – Lifting operations must be properly planned and supervised.
● LOLER Reg. 4 – Loads and lifting arrangements must remain safe and controlled.
● PUWER Reg. 11 – Entanglement and trapping hazards must be prevented.
● PUWER Reg. 9 – Personnel must receive adequate training and instruction.
● BS 7121-1 – Personnel must remain clear of suspended loads and lifting hazards.
Key Point
A tagline should guide the load, not lift the slinger with it.
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Case Study 107: Slinger Lifted 20 Metres off the Ground
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