Tip Sheet: Got a Backup Plan?

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  Washington (State). Department of Labor and Industries
• Description:
  Backing up a trailer is a task that truck drivers do so often that it may feel like a force of habit. But a laid back attitude can lead to inattention that can cause serious and fatal injuries from backing into co-workers, customers, and other pedestrians. It can also result in costly damages from smashing other vehicles and property. No matter your skill level and familiarity with a worksite, staying alert and taking time to inspect blind spots and backup zones can save lives, equipment, freight, and money. Here are a few common tips to help you back up safely. TIPS TO LIVE BY: Never back up if you don't know what is behind you. Get out of your cab and do a walk-around to look for pedestrians and any hazards. Look under your truck too. Use hazard lights and sound horn before backing up. Use all mirrors to scan entire area around vehicle. Consider installing backup cameras with a cab monitor. Use a spotter and hand signals. Make sure spotter is wearing high-visibility clothing and is located away from traffic and other hazards. If you must spot for yourself, wear high-visibility clothing and walk cautiously around your truck. Maintain lighting at the loading dock and terminal yard. Consider providing LED headlamps to all employees who work outside after dusk or before dawn. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Accidents, Occupational Automobiles Occupational Health Preventive Medicine Safety
• Keywords:
  Accidents Hazards Injuries Injury Prevention Motor Vehicles Preventive Measures Safety Equipment Safety Measures Truck Drivers Trucking
• Publisher:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Fact Sheet
• Place as Subject:
  OSHA Region 10 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20058580
• Citation:
  Olympia, WA: Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, 90-132-2020, 2020 Jan; :1
• Contact Point Address:
  SHARP Program, TIRES Project, Department of Labor & Industries, PO Box 4330, Olympia, WA 98504
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2020
• Performing Organization:
  Washington State Department of Labor and Industries
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  TIRES tip sheet: tarping related fall injuries to drivers
• End Date:
  20260630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:77f1c6580d4a25b4a9593e21c78ba063be9b7ebae4161a95a355d6082e3bda02422a32cff63c010fefa17838a51c48d3394de4c54c45e6a7b488f147bbb6ee4d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/221641/cdc_221641_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 665.96 KB ]