Why is backing up a risk?
A driver’s field of vision is very limited when backing up a vehicle. Blind spots are the areas around the vehicle that cannot be seen by either looking directly with your eyes or by using your mirrors. Blind spots will vary from vehicle to vehicle, but generally, they are to the:
The field of vision may also be blocked or obstructed by part of the vehicle (e.g., a structural post, the hood or back/trunk, or the overall height of the vehicle), the load (e.g., gravel, dirt, boxes, or cargo), poorly placed or damaged mirrors, or poor visibility due to weather (e.g., fog, rain, darkness).
- context Rear – directly behind the vehicle.
- context Side – the side of the vehicle that the mirrors do not see.
- context Front – directly in front of the vehicle that is hidden from the driver by the hood and fenders.
What is the safest way to back up a vehicle?
A driver’s field of vision is very limited when backing up a vehicle. The safest way to back up is to not need to back up at all. Try to:
- context Design the site plan or work/traffic flow so that drive-through operation is possible.
- context Park in a way that allows you to drive forward as you leave.
- context Minimize foot traffic by designating walking paths away from traffic routes, or separating the work area with ropes or barricades.
Before backing up, what should the driver do?
Whenever you move your vehicle from a parked position, do a circle check. Check for hazards:
Check for:
Combine the circle check with an inspection of the vehicle’s condition. Report issues or existing damage to the supervisor or employer.
- context under the vehicle.
- context around the vehicle (especially behind).
- context above the vehicle.
- context posts,
- context poles,
- context buildings,
- context overhead objects,
- context electrical/power lines,
- context the path the vehicle will travel,
- context other vehicles,
- context people in the area, and
- context the paths the people are walking.
What strategies make backing up safer?
Traffic control plan
Signallers/Spotters
Education and training
Other equipment
- context When the employer has control over the job site, create a traffic control plan that coordinates s the flow of moving vehicles and workers to minimize their proximity and contact.
- context Create and enforce a procedure that addresses how to work safely and provides best practices to follow when working near vehicles and other equipment.
- context Use barrels, barricades, cones, or reflective devices to guide vehicles away from workers.
- context Post signs showing workers where it is safe to walk.
- context Assign workers (signallers) to direct the movement and operation of vehicles and motorized equipment.
- context Educate and train the signallers in the skills they need to perform this task.
- context Before work begins, drivers and signallers must know the hand signals and their meaning.
- context make sure that they have visual contact with the driver when a vehicle is in motion,
- context keep a clear view of the path the vehicle is travelling, and watch the vehicle and load as it moves,
- context be aware of any other persons or vehicles entering the area and be able to warn them of any hazards,
- context not have other duties to do while acting as a signaller,
- context wear high-visibility apparel, and wear appropriate equipment when working in low-light conditions, and
- context not be distracted while performing these duties (e.g., no use of mobile devices or personal earphones).
- context A signaller must:
- context recognize hazards,
- context know the locations of blind spots,
- context know the meaning of the hand signals,
- context know how the vehicle behaves/moves when reversing,
- context stop when they have any doubt about the safety of a person or to an object, and
- context always back up at a slow pace.
- context Drivers/operators and signallers must be educated and trained to:
- context Drivers must stop immediately if they lose visual contact with the signaller.
- context wearing high-visibility apparel,
- context always making eye contact with the driver when approaching the vehicle,
- context showing or signalling their intentions to the driver or signaller,
- context being alert for any back up alarms or signals,
- context not working within a vehicle’s blind spots, and
- context not standing or walking in areas where vehicles are moving.
- context All other workers must be aware of the hazards associated with moving vehicles, especially when backing up, and know how to protect themselves by:
- context Cameras can provide additional information to the driver. However, the range of vision of the camera also has limitations, and the driver must also check all areas visually, use the mirrors, and be in constant contact with the signaller when present.
- context Back up alarms can alert others that the vehicle is moving backwards. The alarm must be audible above the other noises in the area.
- context Proximity detection systems use radar and ultrasonic technology to bounce a signal off an object. The system then alerts the driver with a visual or audio warning that an object is in the way. Some proximity systems may include “tags” attached to workers themselves that send an alert to the driver.
- context Fact sheet first published: 2016-12-21
- context Fact sheet confirmed current: 2023-05-18