Workplace transport safety An employers' guide - ARRI Lighting Rental

Operational guidance
Reversing
Common risks
Health and Safety
Executive
666 Nearly a quarter of all deaths involving vehicles at work happen during
reversing. Many other reversing accidents cause injury or expensive damage.
667 Visibility is the main problem. In many vehicles, especially larger industrial ones,
it is very difficult for the driver to see backwards.
668 There are a number of steps you can take to help reduce the risk of reversing
accidents. The following are examples, but it is unlikely that any single measure will
be enough to protect people’s safety.
Safe site
Figure 41 ‘Danger-Reversing vehicles’ sign
669 The most effective way of dealing with the risks caused by reversing is to
remove the need for reversing.
670 One-way systems are a very effective way of dealing with the risk of reversing
accidents. Ring roads, drive-through loading and unloading positions, and parking
areas with entrances and exits on either side are just a few examples of measures
which help to prevent the need for reversing.
671 If reversing cannot be avoided, routes should be organised to reduce as far as
possible the need for reversing and the distance vehicles have to travel backwards.
672 Site layouts can be designed (or amended) to increase visibility for drivers and
pedestrians, and to allow plenty of room for reversing manoeuvres. The space
allowed may need to be increased to improve safety. You may also need to provide
reversing areas.
673 Reversing areas should be planned out and clearly marked, and should be very
clear to drivers and other people. Areas can be marked out on the ground, and
with clear signs to stop pedestrians.
674 The site layout should make sure that pedestrians keep well clear of reversing
vehicles.
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