Spotter Safety
March 16, 2020
It was at a very busy work area at a specific Department of Energy (DOE) site when a bin truck, while backing up, accidentally ran over a loose cable that was attached to its front. As the truck kept moving backward, the cable got tighter to the point that the tension became so great it became a sling shot, traveling over the truck, and with extreme speed, hit the front window with such force that it was smashed. While the driver did not suffer any injuries, he was shocked as he had no idea what just happened. Of course, this event could have been avoided though a number of ways. For instance, the driver (or someone else who had the responsibility) could have ensured the cable was properly secured. Or there could have been a spotter, whose responsibility was to continuously monitor the process of the truck backing up and thereby notice any irregularities. As a result of this incident, the DOE facility announced that all subcontractors needed to develop a spotter training program and ensure that only those that completed this training could perform work as a spotter. (just an FYI….there was an assigned spotter at the work site, but because it was extremely cold – yes it was VERY COLD – the person assigned as the spotter decided it was more comfortable to stay indoors! But that’s a discussion for another day).
Being a spotter may appear to be an easy job. After all, there does not appear to require a whole lot of mathematical calculations or physical theory. Unfortunately many people who just decide to be a spotter without proper training, think that the process doesn’t even require a lot of thought. The fact is, a spotter is being put in a position that can make a major difference between an accident occurring or not. Experience has proven that on a construction site, the potential for foot traffic and backing vehicles with obstructed rear views frequently entering the same paths is great. When these two come together, the results can be fatal. It may seem that all the spotter has to do is direct a vehicle to back up when the path is clear of persons and objects, but there is more to it than that. It is important for a spotter to recognize the hazards associated in order to keep others on the site safe and avoid becoming a victim themselves.
Persons that are tasked to be spotters need to have formal training. Without a formal process, a person without any experience or knowledge can wind up making some unfortunate assumptions. For instance, providing a visual signal to the driver for which the driver does not know, but the spotter thinks he/she is making a very clear and obvious gesture. This is one of the most common mistakes that has, all too often, resulted in a collision with a stationary object, such as a lamp post or stanchion or even a fire hydrant! The fact is, a spotter is necessary when the driver or operator does not have a full view of the backing path. This holds true for any vehicle or piece of equipment, whether it’s a batch truck backing up to a paver, a mixer truck backing into a hopper or hoist bucket, or a materials truck making a delivery.
In general, a spotter should be used when a piece of heavy equipment (that includes large trucks, flatbeds, etc.) is backing up or is maneuvering in a very tight place When it comes to backing safety, the use of a spotter is often referred to as the first requirement of safe backing techniques. In order to make backing a totally safe operation, we must also address the duties and responsibilities of the spotter.
Here are some tips to consider while spotting:
- The spotter must first recognize the fact the he or she is there to direct the safe movement of the vehicle and that the driver is reliant upon their guidance.
- The spotter must give clear and understandable signals. It is also important to be consistent.
- The spotter should never pass out of view of the driver without stopping the vehicle.
- The spotter should never go directly behind a vehicle unless the vehicle is completely stopped, and the operator agrees that it is okay to do so.
- The spotter should remain in clear sight of the operator and always signal on the driver’s side of the vehicle toward the rear. This position will allow the spotter an unobstructed view of the backing path and will help to avoid miscommunication.
- The spotter should also instruct the operator to stop if there is ever a time when the operator cannot positively identify the spotter’s whereabouts.
- The spotter should move about in a safe manner to avoid slipping tripping or falling. Walking backwards could yield a situation where tripping hazards are difficult to detect.
- The spotter should wear high-visibility clothing to increase his or her chances of being seen by the backing vehicles and others on site.
Prior to assisting a driver, take some time to check out the intended path direction so that potential hazards are recognized (this is referred to as a 2-minute drill – of course it need not be exactly 2 minutes- just enough time to determine if the operation is free of hazards). Don’t forget to check for overhead hazard like powerlines and low hanging structures.
When the operator and the spotter are working together as a team, it helps to ensure the safe movement of vehicles on the jobsite. And above everything else, the most important job of a spotter is his/her own safety!
Maturity is when all of your mirrors turn into windows.