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

| Date: | Print: | Signature: |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Job Name: |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |
|  |  |  |