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Lessons Learned:
A User-Friendly Guide To Safe Backing
by Frederick C. Clark, ARM
Vice President, Transportation Services
The following sample policy, checklist and guidelines
can be used to enhance your safety meeting on the topic
of backing.
FLEET SAFETY CONE POLICY
Note: This is a sample policy that
gives a fleet an idea of how to relay instructions.
No form can replace the understanding and insight that
the management and employees of a location can bring
to policy and procedure development.
The placing of the safety cone allows the driver to
evaluate the area before he begins backing or other
difficult maneuvers. Secondly, the safety cone establishes
a reference point which the driver can use when backing.
One walk-about may not be adequate. As the difficulty
of the maneuver increases, several walk-abouts may be
necessary to reestablish your cone placement.
The safety cone minimum standards are:
- Equip vehicle with three (3) cones.
- Use orange cones.
- Mounting considerations:
- ease of access from ground level
- don’t obscure driver’s rearward
vision
- will the cone stay reasonably clean?
- Cone height should be eighteen (18) inches
Suggested cone placement(s):
- Rearward of the trailer
- Adjacent to hazard(s)
- One cone on top of another; top cone at 45? angle
to bottom cone, final backing reference.
IMPORTANT
Installation and use of the cones, if not previously
implemented, is (implementation date).
BACKING CHECKLIST
- Do I need to back? Will approaching from another
direction eliminate backing?
- Have I stopped and looked around in all directions
for hazards (north, south, east, west, up, down).
Have I checked for overhead power lines, poles, ladders,
awnings, etc. Any “pot” holes or soft
pavement?
- Can other traffic encroach on my lane of traffic?
- Will anyone walk into my path?
- Have I put out the cones?
- Do I need someone to block or control the other
traffic?
- Will ice, snow fog or glare cause a problem?
- Can the lighting be improved? Flashlight in the
cone?
- How close do I need to get?
- Should this approach/delivery position be abandoned?
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE BACKING
- Implement and follow the “Cone Policy”
Program.
- Implement and follow training aids.
- Have the fleet specialists (driver trainers) teach
visual activity relationships with safe driving.
- Include backing topics in safety meetings.
- Use “Backing Checklist.”
- Use one-on-one training contacts to develop an
awareness.
- Enforcement: Expect everyone to do their part.
Tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I may remember,
involve me and I will understand. --Chinese proverb
XL Environmental • Risk Control Division •
520 Eagleview Boulevard, PO Box 636, Exton, PA 19341
• Phone: 800-327-1414 • Fax: 610-458-7285
• xlenvironmental.com
©2004, XL Environmental. All rights reserved.
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