Ongoing safety training and reminding drivers about safe backing tips and using safe backing techniques will reduce the risk of accidents while backing.
Will Flower
Fact: According to the National Safety Council, one out of four vehicle accidents can be blamed on poor backing techniques. Waste collection and recycling trucks are large vehicles that require special skills to operate. Driving a large truck in reverse requires special care to ensure that pedestrians, bicyclists, drivers of other vehicles and fellow workers are safe. Managers, supervisors, drivers and helpers can all work to minimize the risk of accidents. The following are some basic tips to reduce risks associated with backing.
Avoid Unnecessary Backing
While it is impossible to avoid backing, drivers should try to eliminate unnecessary backing. Driver decisions, including the entry to and exit from service stops, should be evaluated for efficiency and safety. Stops along a route that are especially dangerous may be changed to approach from a different direction. In some cases it may be necessary to reposition a container to allow for the servicing of the container in a safe manner.
Training
Regular safety training covering every aspect of your operation must be part of the strategy of every hauling company and solid waste facility. When discussing the backing of collection vehicles, training should include safe backing techniques, use of clear hand signals, adjustment and use of mirrors, use of rear pointing cameras, and proper safety checks to make sure lights and back up alarms are in proper working condition. Drivers should also be trained about blind spots and the proper use of mirrors and cameras to minimize blind spots.
Quick Tips
When you must back up follow these tips:
- Use your mirrors—Make sure mirrors are clean and properly adjusted to give you a view of your surroundings. Cracked or missing mirrors must be replaced. Additionally, mirrors should be clean and free of ice and dirt to allow a clear view.
- Use a spotter—If available, use a spotter to help you reverse the vehicle. Keep your spotter in view at all times. Immediately stop your vehicle if you lose site of the spotter. The driver and spotter should use hand signals that are clear and understood by both the driver and the spotter.
- Use cameras and detection systems—Cameras and rear sensors are helpful tools that can be used to prevent backing accidents. The use of rear facing camera systems in vehicles can help minimize blind spots.
- Keep helpers in site—Working at the rear of a vehicle can place helpers at risk when backing. Drivers should never back their vehicles while a helper is riding on a rear step. Additionally, if you are in reverse and lose sight of a helper, immediately stop the truck until you can see that everyone is safe.
- Personal Protective Equipment—Every worker needs to use PPE including high visibility clothing (vests or shirts).
- When in doubt, STOP—Drivers sometime need to stop and look at the situation. Walking around a vehicle can provide a view of the backing area and any limitations. Walking around can also provide information on other potential dangers including low hanging wires and trees, road conditions, tire hazards, etc.
- Make sure backup alarms are working—Backup alarms are loud and annoying … they’re supposed to be so that you can hear a truck or piece of equipment that is reversing. Drivers must regularly check to make sure the backup alarm on the vehicle is in good working order.
Reduce the Risk
Remember, every backing situation is different. Drivers and helpers who routinely service the same location still need to check and be aware of their surrounds every time the vehicle is placed into reverse. No amount of routing or planning can eliminate the need for backing a vehicle. When it is necessary to reverse a truck, special care needs to be taken. Supervisors should share tips and coach new drivers on safe backing practices. Giving new drivers time to practice backing up the vehicle in a remote and safe area is also a good idea. Ongoing safety training and reminding drivers about safe backing tips and using safe backing techniques will reduce the risk of accidents while backing.
Next month’s safety tip will focus on avoiding heat-related injuries.
Will Flower is the General Manager of Winters Bros. Waste Systems headquartered on Long Island, NY. Will has 32 years of experience in the area of solid waste management and environmental protection. He has worked in the Director’s Office of the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, for Waste Management, Inc., Republic Services. Inc. and for Green Stream Recycling. He has held operational and executive leadership positions.
Share your safety tip. Submit your suggestions to Will Flower at [email protected].