|
In May 2025, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched the #MirrorCheck initiative to raise awareness regarding backover incidents and fatalities in the construction industry. Backover incidents, where a worker is struck by a backing vehicle, are a serious safety concern. They can occur due to distracted drivers, poor visibility, malfunctioning alarms, or workers in blind spots. These incidents are preventable through proper training, clear communication, and the use of safety measures like spotters, alarms, and reflective clothing.
The #MirrorCheck initiative highlights effective solutions to minimize backover risks including:
-
Don’t Drive Distracted and pay attention to your surroundings. Before backing up, scan the area for hazards, including people, poles, and other vehicles.
-
Equip heavy machinery with audio and visual alarms, which can improve worker awareness – especially in blind spots – and encourage caution when operating machinery around workers.
-
Adjust mirrors to minimize blind spots.
-
Use Spotters to maintain constant visual contact with drivers and establish hand signals to communicate effectively. Spotters should wear high-visibility clothing and have no other duties or distractions.
-
Install rearview cameras to enhance safety without blocking a driver’s view. For larger vehicles such as dump trucks, multiple cameras may be needed.
-
Employ proximity detection systems, such as radar or ultrasonic technologies, that can be mounted on vehicles.
-
Develop internal traffic control plans to coordinate equipment, worker, and vehicle movement.
-
Minimize/Avoid backing whenever possible, unless necessary.
-
Educate workers about blind spots and how to avoid them.
-
Plan Routes: Plan the vehicle's route before backing up to avoid obstacles and hazards.
-
Regular Inspections: Regularly inspect vehicles and equipment for defects.
OSHA’s Mirror Check Toolbox Talk can be found at the link below.
| 
