Safety Tip: Moving Vehicle Spotters

Reprinted from GRAIN JOURNAL May/June 2018 Issue

Spotters are used often to direct the movement of vehicles (e.g., trucks, loaders, and cranes) when vision is obstructed. Here are some recommended safe practices when using a spotter:

• Spotters should coordinate hand signals with the vehicle operator. Ensure that hand signals and their meanings are well understood.

• Drivers should remain in visual contact with the spotter and stop the vehicle when visual contact is lost. Vehicle movement may resume once visual contact has been re-established. Spotters should stay out of the vehicle’s blind spots. The image below provides an example of the blind spots and areas of minor visibility for a medium-sized dump truck.

• Spotters should not stand between moving vehicles and fixed objects such as walls or equipment.

• Spotters should not perform any additional duties that would direct attention away from vehicle movement.

• Spotters should avoid using distracting items such as cell phones or headphones.

• Spotters should wear high-visibility gear, especially when working in poorly lit areas and during low-light hours.

• Spotters should avoid walking backward. Should the spotter trip while walking backward it may place them in a dangerous or deadly situation.

• Spotters should use hands-free radios when possible.

Source: Joe Mlynek, president of Safety Services LLC, Gates Mills, OH; joe.mlynek@progressivesafety.us, and content creation expert for Safety Made Simple Inc., Olathe, KS; joe@safetymadesimple.com