Vehicle traffic presents unique hazards to the grain handling industry. Vehicle traffic is present in the form of customer and facility trucks; loaders used to reclaim grain from steel tanks, piles, bunkers, and flat storage buildings; and construction related vehicles.
A backover is a type of “struck-by” hazard involving a worker being struck by an object or moving equipment. Backovers occur when a backing vehicle strikes a worker who is standing, walking, or kneeling beside or under a vehicle. Backovers may result in fatalities and serious injuries.
Establishing an internal traffic control plan can prevent backover incidents. The goal of the plan is to coordinate the flow of moving equipment to eliminate or reduce vehicles and workers from crossing paths. Pedestrian walkways can be established and marked with guardrails, painted lines, and warning signage. When possible, efforts should be made to route traffic in a manner that eliminates or reduces the need for vehicles to back up, especially in areas where workers are present.
Establishing work zones also can eliminate or reduce backover potential. Construction and reclaim areas including flat storage buildings, steel tanks, grain piles, bunkers, and pods require loaders to back up regularly. Consider limiting access to these areas by demarcating the area with caution or danger tape, portable guardrails, barriers, or traffic cones.
Workers should not enter these areas unless specific procedures are followed. The procedure should require physical confirmation and permission from the equipment operator prior to entry into the zone.
Relying on eye contact alone is not sufficient. Vehicle operators should move to a safe location and put the vehicle in park whenever workers are present.
Technology has improved operator visibility during backing movements.Backup cameras and presence-sensing devices are available in newer equipment. Older equipment can be retrofitted with backup cameras and alarms. If mobile equipment is equipped with backup alarms, ensure that they are operational during the pre-use vehicle inspection. While safety equipment improves the level of safety around moving vehicles, it should never take the place of proper work zone procedures.
Trained spotters should be used to direct the movement of vehicles when the operator’s vision is obstructed. Spotters and equipment operators should coordinate hand signals. The operator should remain in visual contact with the spotter at all times. If visual contact is lost, the operator should stop the vehicle immediately until visual contact is re-established.
In addition, spotters should wear high-visibility clothing, use hands-free radios to communicate with the operator, never stand between moving equipment and fixed objects, or engage in any activity that can divert their attention from directing the movement, such as talking on a cell phone.
Spotters should avoid walking backward. This can place them in a dangerous or deadly situation, should they slip or trip on the walking surface. Spotters should stand just beyond where the vehicle will stop backing up or moving forward.
Housekeeping and safety go hand in hand. Spills, leaks, materials, and tools in driveways and receiving areas can cause employees to slip or trip. These areas must be kept clean and organized.
Consider installing a system, such as shadow boards, to store tools and equipment when not in use. Retrieving tools from areas in front of, behind, or under vehicles can place workers in dangerous situations.
High-visibility clothing has become very popular in agricultural facilities for good reason. High-visibility clothing is intended to distinguish the worker from the work environment. The clothing consists of background material, retroreflective bands, and combined performance material. Combined performance material is a combination of retro-reflective material and performance material. Retroreflective material reflects light back to the source in poorly lit areas or during low-light hours.
Vehicle movement poses unique hazards to workers. Consider evaluating your traffic control program and ensure that it includes procedures for establishing and entering work zones, vehicle safety equipment, the use of spotters, effective housekeeping, and the use of high-visibility clothing. Employees are a company’s greatest resource. Protect them at all costs.
Joe Mlynek is president and safety and loss control consultant for Progressive Safety Services LLC, Gates Mills, OH; 216-403-9669; and content creation expert for Safety Made Simple, Olathe, KS.
Reprinted from Grain Journal May/June 2018 Issue