Safe Driver Episode 6: Maneuvering and the line of fire

Episode #6 : #SafeDriver Maneuvering and the line of fire

[Voice Over]

An operator is lying on the ground. He has been knocked over. What happened? A load is expected, but a poorly parked vehicle makes the maneuver impossible.

To make room for his colleague to pass, the driver of the orange loader has begun a reverse maneuver without checking his immediate surroundings especially the rearview mirrors. He almost hits an operator concentrating on his work who did not pay attention to the back-up beeper. If his colleague hadn’t intervened, there would have been an accident. The driver of the green forklift started reversing without seeing the operator standing in the way behind the vehicle.

The operator, alerted by shouting and the sudden braking of the orange loader, but located in the vehicles’ blind spots and hence in the line of fire, is knocked over. On building sites and facilities there are many lines of fire. They must be carefully identified, secured and avoided.

Best Practice. Whenever possible, risks must be eliminated by ensuring that pedestrians and vehicles are not present in the same area. The site or works manager must alert people to any hazards. Safety boundaries must be demarcated and secured.

Everybody must understand the rules. Everybody, drivers and operators, must recap the safety rules with the manager on entering a site and must follow instructions at all times before relocating or when close to vehicles or moving objects.

In order to keep out of the line of fire, operators must respect safety barriers and boundaries. Make sure you can be seen and maintain visual contact with vehicle operators at all times.

It can save your life. Before and during a maneuver,vehicle operators must carefully check that the line of fire is clear of people and objects and make sure you can be seen.

Every detail matters. Working and maneuvering onsite takes concentration and good communication between everybody. Sticking to these rules lets everybody work safely. #SafeDriver, Safety for me, for you, for all.