This is the horrifying moment a mechanical digger narrowly missed busy workers as it plummeted more than 30 metres to the ground . The 17-tonne yellow digger was being lifted out of a hole in Santiago , Chile , when a cable snapped causing the metal machine to drop suddenly . Workers are demanding higher safety standards after one member of staff had just seconds to run out of its way . Scroll down for video . A mechanical digger was being hoisted out of a hole ( left ; right ) in Santiago , Chile , when a cable snapped . The footage shows debris continuing to crash on the floor as workers shout to the men at the top of the hole . They continue to whistle and inspect the damage as dust settles around them . Carlo Apodaca , a trade union worker , said it was only by chance none of the men were hit . The 40-year-old said : 'The safety record round here is something we are no longer happy about and we want more action from management to avoid any similar mistakes like this . ' The 17-tonne digger narrowly missed members of staff ( left ) as it plummeted more than 30 metres to the ground ( right ) The footage was captured by two of the men , who are currently helping to build the future Plaza Egana metro station . Local council officials responsible for checking safety said they will compile a report after receiving the complaints . The Santiago Metro is South America 's most extensive metro system with five lines , 108 stations , and 103 kilometres ( 64 miles ) of track .
17-tonne yellow digger was being hoisted out of hole in Santiago , Chile . The giant machine is the first to be lifted from a mine since it began work on Monday and will take two weeks to reach its destination at an undisclosed location near the city of Copiapó