Competent Spotter’s Roles and Responsibilities- Appalachia

April 19, 2011Owner: HSSE Coordinator

Purpose:

The purpose of this document is to specify the roles and responsibilities of a Spotter used to assist truck drivers onto Civil works (and Completions) locations. Refer to the UA standard for all other spotter roles.

Roles:

  • A Spotter is necessary when an Operator of anaggregate hauling vehicle does not have a full unobstructed view of the work area in which the equipment is being operated or the area is determined to be a “congested” work area. This may include vehicle and equipment traffic, worker activity or materials stored in the work area.Ultimately, the need for a qualified Spotter on any given project shall be agreed upon between the contractor Supervisor and the Shell PIC. The only time when a qualified Spotter is not needed would be very low activity projects with no extenuating hazards, i.e. power lines, etc.
  • A Spotter’s role is very important and must be recognized as such both by the ground work force, the equipment operator, and the individual assigned the responsibility of “designated Spotter”. The designated spotter(s) for a work activity dual role is to identify hazards and alert the operator of the vehicle/equipment of the potential hazard AND to protect the workers, assets, and civil equipment from the movement of the vehicles.

Responsibilities:

  • The designated Spotter and Operator are responsible to assess the hazards related to the task of the driver and designate the method used to control those hazards on a JSA. The JSA conditions must be communicated to the driver, and the driver is to acknowledge these hazards by signing the JSA. The driver may input hazards recognized by him/herself and provide mitigation methods to the spotter. These are to added to the JSA and shared with all subsequent drivers.
  • The designated Spotter shall be present at all time during vehicular work activities as assigned. It is the equipment driver’s responsibility to not proceed to a “congested” work areaif no spotters are present. The driver is to STOP and remain stopped if he loses contact with the Spotter.
  • The designated Spotter shall wear a high visibility vest significantly different in color from other workers to identify the role and increase visibilityat all times while fulfilling the duties assigned.
  • The designated Spotter is required to maintain communications with the Operator at all times. This may be visual or by CB radio communications. If using CB communications, the channel listing MUST be posted at the worksite entrance.
  • Discuss Unusual Hazards (i.e. – overhead or buried wires, ditches, unlevel areas, etc.)
  • Determine Route (entering site, dumping location, post dump location, exiting site)

The spotter will:

  • Establish control areas using flagging and or barricades as required. Signage must be at least at the height to be visible above the truck hood.
  • Use appropriate hand signals. See Attachment A.
  • Utilize an air horn that is kept on spotters belt for emergency STOP signal
  • Clearly communicate to both vehicular traffic and pedestrian traffic
  • Notify any nearby equipment operators to be aware of backing activities
  • Alert the Truck driver of any activities occurring in the work zone
  • Alert the Truck driver to any potential overhead hazards. See Unusual hazards on Page 2.Prevent trucks from dumping side to side.
  • Be aware of and not be distracted by SIMOP activities (Simultaneous Operations). Stop the driver if distractions occur.
  • Stay in the driver’s vision. If one cannot see the drivers face, the driver cannot see you.
  • Communicate any deficiencies to the driver (i.e. light out, tailgate not latched, tire problems, etc.)
  • Report problems with drivers to the trucking company dispatch. Report incidents and near misses to PIC.
  • The spotter must be aware of potential blind spots, pinch points and crush zones associated with the equipment being operated. The Spotter must also be aware of the surroundings and verify that the walking path is free of obstructions.
  • The spotter must avoid blind spots. See Attachment 2
  • The spotter must stay clear when dumping (8-10 feet in front of truck). Do not stand on side of the truck (tip over or aggregate tumbling hazards). Dump bed is to be lowered immediately after dumping,and before moving to post inspection site.
  • When possible the designated Spotters shall sit in the seat of the equipment associated with the task to establish a clear understanding of blind spots and the visual perspective of the operator.”
  • This document is intended as a guideline only and does not in any way take precedence over Local,

State, federal regulatory requirements. In all cases the higher standard must be followed in order to ensure legal compliance.

Unusual Hazards:

  • It is Shell’s responsibility to develop a mitigation plan to address the issue of determining the proper mitigation to these hazards. These mitigations MUST be listed on the Execution plan.
  • Any situation that constructability dictates that the following guidelines cannot be followed MUST be documented on a Variance form. The PIC will provide and obtain approval for the variance.

Overhead power

  • The spotter is to confirm with the PIC that such execution plan mitigations have been enacted.
  • Signage indicating overhead hazard must be 25 feet from the hazard crossing.
  • Spotter is to ensure that Goal posts and flagging are installed to increase the visibility to the drivers.
  • Dumping is not allowed within 25 feet of either side of a line to be crossed beneath. Also, dumping may not occur within 10 ft when dumping parallel to power lines. (NO GO Zone)
  • Dumping is allowed 25 to 100 feet (Buffer Zone) from the crossing, but a spotter is required and truck driver must pay special attention to commands. In all cases, bed must be lowered before allowing truck to proceed in any way back towards the crossing. See Attachment 3.
  • The Spotter shall tap his head with his palm facing down, then point upward with his index finger to alert the driver of the overhead hazard.

Underground power or gas or utility lines

  • The spotter is to confirm with the PIC that such execution plan mitigations have been enacted.
  • The spotter should monitor such crossings to ensure that the mitigated method is not deteriorating. If it does show signs of damage, the crossing of such utility lines MUST be stopped, and the PIC contacted.

Ditches, soft areas, cliffs, steep grades, etc., within 20 feet of dump site

  • Communication is required to protect the drivers from such hazards to prevent trucks from rolling over. Agreement between the spotter and the driver shall be reached that allows a driver to raise the bed in an area that insures that the truck is level and stable.
  • ATTACHMENT 1 – Hand Signals

Additionally, before crossing an overhead hazard, the Spotter should tap his head with his open palm down, then point upward with his index finger.

  • ATTACHMENT 2 – Blind Spots on Dump Trucks

  • ATTACHMENT 3 – NO GO and Buffer Zones