DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office

DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office

Topic of the Month… Driver Safety – Backing up Properly

Improper backing is one of the top three vehicle accident causes for State of Georgia vehicles. According to the National Safety Council, one out of four vehicle accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques. Backing accidents have been determined to have caused 500 deaths and 15,000 injuries per year. Whether we drive daily or occasionally there is exposure to this issue. Many drivers do receive a lot of training on how to back up vehicles properly.Due to limited vision out of the back windows or around long truck beds and equipment bodies, drivers may not see other vehicles, obstacles, or even coworkers and pedestrians when they are driving their vehicles backwards.So, what do we do to prevent these incidents?

AVOID THEM. Don’t back up unless absolutely necessary. Proper planning of routes and proper positioning of the vehicle can reduce the amount of backing that is necessary. Pull through to spaces and walk the extra few feet rather than backing into a parking space.Drivers should not put themselves into unnecessary backing situations.
Do a walk-around. This “Circle of Safety” or G.O.A.L. (Get OutAnd Look!) gives a driver firsthand view of the backing area and any limitations. They can check for children, soft or muddy areas, potholes, tire hazards, and other dangers.Some employers may use a “cone policy” that requires you to place orange safety cones at either end of the vehicle whenever you park. Walking around the vehicle to pick up the cones before you leave gives you a chance to inspect the vehicle and your surroundings. The cones also provide good visibility and a warning to other drivers that you are working nearby.
Park defensively. Drivers must choose easy-exit parking spaces that don’t crowd neighboring vehicles; and park their vehicle in the center of the parking space.
Get to know a vehicle’s blind spots. In a medium-sized truck, blind spots can extend up to 16 feet in front and 160 feet behind a vehicle. Drivers need to remember that mirrors can never give the whole picture while backing.
When parking in adriveway or alleya driver should back into it if driving all the way through; or have room to turn around (if local ordinances permit), so that when leaving, the vehicle can pull forward into the street.
Know the clearances. When performing a walk-around, drivers can check for obstructions, low-hanging trees and wires, and any other potential clearance-related problems.
Every backing situation is new and different. Sometimes a driver visits the same location several times a day and should be watchful each visit for changes and any new obstacles.When you are backing, make sure that you do so slowly. Roll down a window and turn off the radio so warnings can be heard.
Use a spotter. A driver should use another person to help them when backing. The driver and spotter should use hand signals instead of verbal ones and make sure they understand each other’s signals. Don’t have the spotter walking backwards while giving instructions. STOP if you lose sight of spotter!
When driver’s spot for themselves, they need to return to the vehicle and start backing within a few seconds after finishing the walk-around. This will allow less time for situations to change behind the vehicle. Backing without a spotter should only take place after a driver has as much information about the area as possible. A back up alarm can help warn away pedestrians and drivers of other vehicles who may try to enter the area the vehicle is backing into.Backup cameras and sensors are good tools that can help you. Check to see that backup lights function properly. Backup lights can provide warning to others that the vehicle is moving in reverse.

Driving backwards can be done safely, but CAUTION is necessary before andduring the process.

Get Help-Walk Around-Look in All Directions-Go Slow-Practice in a Safe Situation

Thanks for your time. Let’s work together to make Georgia a safer place to work.

DOAS Risk Management Services Division Loss Control Office