19 eye injuries and prevention

Vol.25 | No.19 | Week of 05-12-25

Date:

SPOTTER SAFETY

When the operator
and the spotter are
working together
as a team, it helps
to ensure the
safe movement
of vehicles on the
jobsite. Make it a
practice!

!

Job Name:

Supervisor Signature:

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. In order
to make backing a totally safe operation, we must also address the duties and
responsibilities of the spotter.

Being a spotter may appear to be an easy job to perform, with not a lot of
thought required. When in fact, 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 with this task in order to keep others on the site safe and avoid
becoming a victim themselves.

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.

MEETING ATTENDEES