BULLETIN
BULLETIN
RiskControl
Control
Risk
ACWA/Joint
Powers
Insurance
Authority,
P.O.
BoxBox
619082,
Roseville,
CA CA
95661-9082
(800)
231-5742
ACWA/Joint
Powers
Insurance
Authority,
P.O.
619082,
Roseville,
95661-9082
(800)
2315742
By Peter Kuchinsky II
By Peter Kuchinsky II
Lead Risk Management Consultant
Senior Risk Management Consultant
June 2013
January
2013
A Backing Policy — Think About It
Avoid Backing Whenever Possible
The best way to avoid a backing accident is: Don’t
Back Up! Think about it. If you don’t back up, you
won’t have a backing accident. It’s a simple and effective policy. When you arrive at a location, begin to
think about how you will leave. As an alternative to
backing later, enter the parking area looking for ways
to avoid backing. Look for a pull-through situation.
Look for curb-side parking with no restriction in front
of you. Look for a way to beat the odds by steering
clear of the backing maneuver whenever you can.
The extra time you take won’t make a dent in your
schedule or make a mark on your driving record.
When You Have To Back Up
Every district should consider establishing a specific
policy and rules for when drivers must back up.
All district drivers should be trained in these procedures, and be held responsible for following it. Statistics show that the chance of a vehicle accident increase when drivers back up. The possibility of a
backing accident multiplies when drivers operate
larger vehicles with larger blind spots. Almost every
backing accident is considered to be an “at fault” accident caused by driver error or inattention.
Most drivers don’t even think about the act of backing
up, because they do it all the time in their personal
vehicle with relatively good visibility. But when behind
the wheel of a van, larger truck or a loaded pick up,
accidents can now be caused by increased blind
spots and the failure of the driver to take proper safety precautions.
One solution is to establish a “circle of safety.” A
number of utilities require their drivers do what is
called “Walk the Safety Circle.”
The National Safety Council estimates that one in
four vehicle accidents involve drivers backing. Many
“pull-away” or backing accidents can be prevented
simply by walking around the vehicle to check for
obstructions before driving away from an area. This
procedure also allows a driver to examine the path
to be taken when backing, especially when the distance is significant.
Experience has shown that this “walk around” procedure creates a level of awareness and alertness that
has been effective in preventing accidents. More
than just backing accidents can be prevented by the
“walk around.” There are many incidents of property
damage caused by vehicles sideswiping low stationary objects as the driver pulls away. Drivers are often focused on the task at hand and forget about
obstacles they’ve seen when arriving. Most importantly, this practice will identify if there is anyone
in the immediate area.
Districts that establish a Circle of Safety Program
should provide each vehicle with a minimum of one
28-inch orange traffic cone. The placement of cones
serves as a visible reminder to walk around the vehicle. Right after parking, the driver leaves the vehicle
and places a cone on the ground at the left rear of
the vehicle. Placing a second cone at the left front of
the vehicle can help increase the level of safety.
Upon returning to the vehicle, the driver would pick
up each cone and continue to walk around the vehicle (full circle) to check for obstacles or people in the
area.
How to Perform the “Circle of Safety”
Placing a second cone at the left front of the
vehicle can help increase the level of safety.
Page 2
Watch Out For Me!
Very simply, drivers get out of their vehicle and make a
clockwise "walk around" their vehicle, and pick up the
cones prior to backing up or driving away. In less than a
minute, drivers look for obstacles, low hanging wires,
posts, poles, structures, people, other moving vehicles,
or vehicles likely to move. Most importantly, they reduce the possibility of an accident.
When another employee is there to assist the driver,
they should act as a spotter. Even when using a spotter, the driver is still responsible if an accident occurs.
Drivers can use the advice of the spotter; not to depend
upon them. If they back into a fixed object or otherwise
have an accident, they will be held responsible despite
the use of a helper. The use of a spotter does not excuse the driver from making a “circle of safety,” rather it
enhances it. The driver can tell the spotter what to
watch out for, and act as an extra set of eyes.
Have a Written Policy
Districts are encouraged to establish a written policy,
and provide training to drivers to reduce the possibility
of backing accidents.
In June 2012, this story and photograph was reported
to snopes.com and made the rounds on the Internet.
Page 3
An electric company driver found this child
while conducting a CIRCLE OF SAFETY
around the company truck. No one even
wants to think about what would have happened if the employee had gotten in the truck
and drove off without doing a walk around.
Please share this eye-opening, bone-chilling
photo and experience with your work groups.
Keep in mind that children will be out of
school on summer break soon, so be sure to
watch out for them!
A Sample Policy
Parking and Backing a District Vehicle Procedure
Effective: ____________________________
(Shared by Dan York, Operations Manager, Sacramento Suburban Water District)
Purpose
The purpose of this procedure is to establish guidelines to follow that may prevent an accident or injury when parking or
backing a District vehicle.
General
If practical, it is preferred that the vehicle operator select a parking location which does not require backing to re-enter the
flow of traffic. When this is not possible, adhere to the following procedures:
Use of Cones: Orange safety cones (18” unless equipped with 28”) must always be placed at the rear of a District vehicle at
all times when parked. The placement of cones at the rear of a parked District vehicle, or at the front and rear traffic side of
the District vehicle if parallel parked, will alert other vehicle operators of activity in and around the District vehicle and increase their level of caution. In addition, placement of cones in this manner will require District vehicle operators to remove
them before moving the vehicle and encourage a survey of the area behind the vehicle prior to backing.
Use of a Spotter: The driver must use a “spotter”, if available, when backing a vehicle or construction equipment. Agree on
signals before starting, especially the signal for “stop”. Position the spotter where you can visually see him/her, where he/she
is out of your path of travel, and where he/she can clearly see behind the vehicle. Stop immediately if you lose sight of your
spotter. If you are in doubt of the situation, stop immediately, get out of your vehicle and check the situation yourself. If a
spotter is not available, the driver must check under and around the vehicle to make sure the area is clear before proceeding
to back a vehicle. Use the rear view and side mirrors, and if possible, look behind you. Back up immediately, but slowly, before the present situation has time to change. Whether or not a spotter is available, while backing a vehicle, always periodically check the front of the vehicle.
Approved by:
_____________________________
General Manager Signature
Cool Tips to Beat the Heat
 Keep hydrated by drinking a cup of water every
15 minutes
 Watch co-workers for signs of heat-related
illnesses
 Take breaks and pace yourself while working
 Wear lightweight clothing
 Avoid consuming caffeine or eating heavy
meals before working
OSHA has an app that can be downloaded to Smart
phones. Find it at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatillness/
heat_index/heat_app.html.
Page 4
Risk Management Staff
John Haaf, Risk Management Manager
Peter Kuchinsky II, Lead Risk Management Consultant
Keith Forbes, Senior Risk Management Consultant
Lee Patton, Senior Risk Management Consultant
R. Scott Wood, Risk Management Consultant
Chuck Wagenseller, Cost Estimator/
Risk Management Consultant
Terry Lofing, Administrative Assistant II