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PWM and POS VEHICLE- BACKING PROCEDURE <br />All vehicle operators are responsible for the safe backing.of their vehicles. This procedure outlines the safe <br />and efficient approach to backing large vehicles, and any vehicle in, which the driver has an obstructed view. <br />This procedure is intended to clarify expectations of backing a vehicle due to the large number of vehicular <br />accidents related to backing. <br />Definitions: <br />Backing Spotter: City employee who observes the backing of the vehicle and provides.guidance on backing <br />using hand signals. <br />Affected Vehicle Class: Any vehicle which requires a CDL to .operate, and any vehicle with an obstructed view <br />.. while backing. <br />Procedure: <br />All vehicle are responsible for the safe backing of their. vehicles. Whenever possible, operators <br />should plan ahead to avoid the need to back the vehicle. <br />If available, a spotter is required when backing any vehicle into traffic or when the view is obstructed for any <br />reason. <br />If available, a - spotter is required when backing a vehicle of a size that requires the operator to have a <br />Commercial Driver's License for its operation: <br />If a spotter is not available, the driver of the vehicle should inspect the area around the vehicle for any people <br />or obstructions.that may prevent the safe. backing of the vehicle. If necessary, the driver will notify. people in <br />proximity. of the vehicle that the vehicle will be-backing up. <br />The driver of the vehicle and the spotter will review. vehicle- backing.hand signals prior to the backing of the <br />vehicle. (See sample of standard hand signals on back of page.) <br />The spotter shall not stand directly behind the vehicle that is to be backed. The spotter will typically stand at a <br />safe distance near the rear of the vehicle but will always be outside the travel path of the vehicle. For their <br />own safety, the spotter must be cognizant of their own surroundings and not put themselves in a hazardous <br />situation <br />The.driver and the spotter will maintain visual contact with each other during the backing of the vehicle. If the <br />driver loses visual contact with the spotter, the driver shall stop the vehicle until visual contact is <br />reestablished. <br />A spotter need not be a passenger in the vehicle b.ut can be any employee within proximity of the vehicle <br />All one -ton vehicles and larger shall have functioning back -up alarms. Other vehicles and equipment may have <br />the need for a functioning back -up alarm depending.on the configuration and use of the vehicle. <br />If a vehicle is equipped with a back -up camera, the camera does not substitute the need for a spotter or the <br />need to perform a visual inspection of the area before backing. Backup cameras are a useful tool,.but <br />operators should not rely on these tools alone to ensure the safety of people and property while backing a <br />large vehicle. <br />05/14/10 <br />