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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSOG 301.03 REVISED 7-2013_Vehicle BackingI. Guiding Philosophy The best chance to avoid an accident or injury lies with first recognizing an inherently dangerous situation, and then taking the necessary precautions to minimize the risk. Emergency response vehicles have very limited rear visibility, so the backing of fire apparatus inherently involves a degree of hazard. We acknowledge this risk and do our best to follow a clearly established set of guidelines to standardize the backing process so that likelihood of accidents or injuries minimized. II. Purpose The purpose of this policy is to outline standard practices and techniques for safe backing of emergency response vehicles. III. Goals The goals of this policy are to: A. Provide general backing guidelines. B. List guidelines and expectations for spotters. C. Explain and identify proper backing hand signals for communication between the spotters and apparatus driver. D. Provide guidance for backing when no spotter is available. IV. Definitions A. Driver/Operator, — For the purpose of this guideline, the member actually behind the wheel driving the apparatus at the time. B. Spotter — Personnel responsible for guiding the driver and ensuring any potential hazards are avoided. V. General Backing Guidelines A. When possible, the safest practice is to avoid backing the vehicle at all. 1. Drive around the block or take an alternate forward route when available. 2. If forced to back up, do not back up any farther than you safely have to, and then switch to a forward route when one is available. 3. There should be no haste in the backing process. Both the spotter(s) and the driver should be cautious and deliberate in their actions. If unsafe SOG 301.03 - Vehicle Backing Procedures Page 1 of 4 conditions are present, remember that civilian and responder safety take precedence over all else. B. Before backing a City vehicle, one or more spotters shall be employed as guides in all situations where the driver does not have a clear vision of the path of travel. It is important to remember that both the spotter(s) and driver must act as a coordinated team to safely back the vehicle. 1. NFPA 1500 requires at least one spotter to have contact with the driver while backing if at all possible. This spotter should usually be placed on the rear of the driver side of the vehicle. 2. When staffing permits, two spotters should be assigned when backing large or heavy apparatus, with one member covering each side of the vehicle. a. One member covering the rear driver side. b. One member covering the rear passenger side. 3. When available, a third spotter can be used to increase safety by: a. Monitoring traffic, or b. Watching for overhead obstructions. This is especially important with aerials or other tall vehicles. C. Backup cameras, backing sensors, or other devices will not be used as a substitute for spotters if at all possible. D. The driver will immediatelv stop the vehicle if he/she: 1. Loses sight of the spotter(s). Portable radios or tethered vehicle -mounted intercom systems are recommended to increase communication and improve spotter safety. 2. Does not understand the hand signals or intentions of the spotter(s). If necessary, the driver should place the vehicle in park and then have a face- to-face discussion with the spotter(s). E. The Officer -in -charge, the Driver/Operator, and the Spotter(s) all share the responsibility of backing the apparatus safely. VI. Guidelines for Spotters) A. The spotter(s) shall be on the ground, to the rear of the vehicle, and shall remain visible to the driver at all times. 1. Spotters will not ride on the tailboard of the apparatus while backing. 2. Spotters will not walk with their back to the driver. B. Spotters should take responsibility for their own safety. 1. Watch for pot holes, trip hazards, traffic, and other potential hazards to the best of their ability. 2. Watch out for the safety of the other spotter(s) if at all possible. C. Spotters may use a flashlight at night for safety purposes to illuminate their path or to illuminate themselves, but at no time should the flashlight be directed at the apparatus driver. SOG 301.03 - Vehicle Backing Procedures Page 2 of 4 VII. Hand Signals A. ALL PERSONNEL SHOULD BE THOROUGHLY FAMILIAR WITH THE USE OF STANDARDIZED VEHICLE BACKING SIGNALS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF A "SPOTTER" WHEN BACKING ANY VEHICLE! B. Standard signals shall be used to communicate with the driver during the backing maneuver. 1. Hand signals, voice signals transmitted over a portable radio, or a combination of both methods can be employed for this purpose. 2. The spotter shall direct the driver to stop at any time the backing maneuver cannot be completed safely. C. Description of standardized hand signals. 1. Straight Back: Arms above the head with palms toward face, waving back. u'y � 5VL1 n Back Straight 2. Turn: Arm pointing the direction of the turn with index fingers extended. a. Driver will advise the spotter which way the turn will be made. b. The spotter then assists the driver in backing apparatus. c. The driver's intentions must be verbally communicated to the spotter. Back Right Back Left SOG 301.03 - Vehicle Backing Procedures Page 3 of 4 3. Stop: Both arms crossed with hands in fist. Be sure to yell the stop order loud enough that the driver can hear the warning. Stop D. All potential drivers and spotters should refresh on the use of these signals frequently so that they are able to use them effectively. VIII. Backina Limited Rear Visibilitv Response Vehicles without a Spotter A. In some rare emergency circumstances, there may be no choice but to back a vehicle with limited rear visibility when no spotter is available. During these situations the driver will: 1. Stop the vehicle and place it in park. 2. Dismount and visually perform a 3600 check around the vehicle before backing with emphasis on the area behind and to both sides of the apparatus. 3. Check visually overhead for power lines, low clearances, tree limbs, and other obstructions. 4. Back the vehicle at a very slow speed and with extreme caution while being prepared to stop immediately if necessary. 5. Change to a forward route as soon as safely practical. B. Never rely on backup cameras, backing sensors, or other devices without first getting out and making a visible inspection behind and around vehicle (including overhead). SOG 301.03 - Vehicle Backing Procedures Page 4 of 4