An operator of an excavator struck a water line while digging a trench, causing water to spray around. A worker in the trench took his shovel and started tossing water back at the excavator operator. The operator was trying to close the window against the water when he inadvertently hit the lever controlling the bucket. The bucket moved, crushing the other worker against the wall of the trench.

Horseplay starts in fun, but can easily end in tragedy. In this case, the water line break was enough of a distraction to cause a safety concern without the added confusion of a water fight. Don’t give in to the temptation of workplace pranks; they take everyone’s mind off the number one priority of working safely.