Use these OSHA-based recommendations to help prevent accidents when backing up construction or other workplace vehicles. Across the U.S., 79 backover deaths occurred on the job in 2011. Properly trained spotters are a proven technique to help keep workers safe, but other methods also are effective.

1. SAFETY TIP:
Backing Up Construction Vehicles
In the past five years, 15 percent of all workplace fatalities
investigated by the Kansas City Regional OSHA Office have
involved struck-by vehicle accidents in the workplace. Struck-by
injuries and fatalities commonly are caused by conventional
traffic/passenger vehicles, forklifts and other moving, powered
industrial equipment, such as cranes and yard trucks. The Bureau of
Labor Statistics recently began collecting specific information on these
fatalities and determined that across the U.S., 79 backover deaths
occurred on the job in 2011.
The following OSHA recommendations can help prevent backover accidents:
 Spotters: Using a spotter has been proven to help keep workers safe. However, spotters
themselves are in danger of being hit by a backing vehicle. To keep spotters safe:
o Have drivers and spotters agree on hand signals before work begins
o Ensure spotters maintain constant visual contact with the driver when a vehicle is backing
o Teach drivers to stop immediately if they lose sight of their spotter
o Do not give spotters additional duties
o Do not allow spotters to use mobile devices or personal headphones when working
o Provide high-visibility clothing for spotters, especially when working at night
 Cameras: Most vehicles can accommodate a camera to provide drivers with a view to the rear and
other blind spots. When equipping vehicles with cameras, it is important to consider the environment
operators work in. Some construction sites and mines may require more rugged cameras, and
vehicles such as dump trucks may need two or more cameras to monitor blind spots.
 Proximity detection systems: These use radar and ultrasonic technology to bounce a signal off an
object and alert the vehicle operator with a visual or audio warning that an object is in the way.
 Internal traffic control plan: Create a plan to coordinate the flow of moving equipment, workers
and vehicles to help minimize the number of times workers and vehicles cross paths. These plans
can significantly reduce and even eliminate the need for vehicles to back up on a jobsite.
Backover Prevention Resources:
 Visit the OSHA Preventing Backovers page.
 Review NIOSH blind spot diagrams for a variety of vehicles.
 View or download an OSHA video on backover accidents.
 Review OSHA Standards related to backing vehicles.
 Find many more backover safety resources and articles here.
 Browse construction safety signs at ComplianceSigns.com.
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