Pushed off truck by crane load: crane operator and employer convicted

05/03/2025 · Geneva Court of Justice, Criminal Appeals Chamber · GE · Seriously injured · P/5337/2018 (AARP/80/2025)

What happened Unloading insulation pallets, the crane operator lifted a load without seeing the worker still on the deck. The load pushed him off the truck; warning shouts were lost in the noise.

What the court decided Police court (29.7.2024): 7 months suspended each. The appeal chamber replaced these with suspended day-fines; convictions upheld.

Why If you cannot see the hook you need one clearly identifiable signaller, as the manual requires. The employer remained responsible for his workers' safety during unloading.

Supplier's driver and crane operator: convicted of serious bodily harm by negligence, 180 day-fines of CHF 30 (total CHF 5,400), suspended. Lifted the load without a view and without a signaller.
Head of the employer: convicted of serious bodily harm by negligence, 140 day-fines of CHF 110 (total CHF 15,400), suspended. As employer, breached his duties under the accident-prevention ordinance during the unloading.

Never lift without sight of the load or a clear signaller. Nobody on the deck while the crane pulls.

Source: entscheidsuche.ch (FR)

Fact summary in our own words based on the linked source, which prevails. No names of the people involved.