Page 16 - 6037 OutoftheWoods

Preventing

Backing Accidents

JJ Lemire

in recent Years, we had a fatality occur that involved • Blow Horn. Blow horn whenever you start to back
a vehicle that backed up and ran over an employee. and continue to tap on the horn every 10 feet of
We took actions to increase awareness of employees backing travel.
working on the ground and the increased volume of
vehicles at a work site. We have heard of some recent • If installed, all back up alarms must be operational.
injuries that other companies are having so we want to A defective back alarm should be called to atten-
take time to remind everyone that employees must be tion for immediate repair.
kept aware of the hazards with vehicles and equipment • Size up the situation before backing. Walk around
backing up at your job sites. the vehicle to examine the area and look for haz-

Can you think of a few backing incidents that have ardous situations. When in doubt, get out and look.
happened on the job? Maybe a fender, headlight, • Check the surface. Note depressions, bumps,
bumper, tailgate, etc. was damaged. Have you heard obstacles and any persons who might come into
the story of a parent or grandparent that backed out the line of travel.
of their driveway and backed over their child riding a
tricycle. No matter the location, improper backing is a • Check top clearances. Note how wide the vehicle
problem! According to the National Safety Council, 1 is in relationship to the size of the space being
out of 4 vehicle accident is due to poor backing tech- backed into.
niques. These accidents account for 500 fatalities and
15,000 injuries per year. However, it is believed that the • Analyse the situation. After analysing the situation,
actual numbers are likely 4 times higher due to those begin the backing maneuver immediately before
incidents that are never reported because they do not the situation has a chance to change.
involve an injury or fatality.
• Do not gun it when you back out. Go slow and
What employees must know (General rules) constantly scan your mirrors and look around as
you back out.
and follow: USE good backing HABITS! A reminder to BACK IN
SWPA rection you need to go when you leave the SLOWLY BACK OUT. These can help you prevent an

Avoid backing if possible. If backing is
•
FIRST, USE A SPOTTER, DO A WALK AROUND and
necessary position the vehicle in the di-
injury or fatality at your job site. Be safe.
location – in other words - BACK FIRST.
• Adjust your mirrors. If another driver has
moved them, the worst time to discover it
is in the middle of backing a vehicle.

• Always use a spotter when backing. A spot-
ter should always be in the view of driver.

2019 Safety Meeting Record

D
Date Companyate Company
Names and Signatures of ALL attendees to be attached.

Conducted by (signature)