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Spotter Safety Talk

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150 views

Spotter Safety Talk

Uploaded by

movingforwardbusiness2024
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Spotter Safety Talk

Most construction sites rely on a variety of heavy machinery,


equipment, and vehicles to get the job done. These can range
from semi-trucks to bulldozers, to cranes. These large vehicles
and equipment require skilled and qualified drivers. Some of
the most skilled drivers still need some assistance from a
spotter when they are moving. Large vehicles often have blind
spots and it is helpful to have someone on the outside to
safely scan the area and alert the driver of any objects or
dangers. This is the role of a spotter.

What is a Spotter in Construction?


A spotter is a second pair of eyes and ears for drivers and
equipment operators on the jobsite. They stand near the
equipment or vehicle and feed information to the driver,
including directions and things the driver is unable to see or
hear by themself. Spotters can also be referred to as
observers, signalers, and guides.

Spotting for equipment has been effective in keeping


accidents between pedestrians and heavy equipment but
there are also some precautions a spotter must follow to keep
themself safe. If you are asked to be a spotter on your
construction site make sure you understand exactly what your
role is and ask the driver or your foreman questions before
you start spotting for anyone.

Forklift Spotter Responsibilities


On a construction site, it is common to see a forklift helping
move heavy materials from one place to another. Forklift
spotters are often needed, and while it may seem like a
simple and easy to do job, forklift spotting is complex. If you
are wanting to be a forklift spotter you should complete a
comprehensive training program before you take on the great
responsibilities that come with this.

A forklift spotter ensures that a truck operator lifts a load


properly and moves it to the correct location. This can include
ensuring that the load is balanced so it will not fall off a lift.
Once the forklift is being driven, the spotter will then ensure
that the load or the forklift does not hit anything including
people, or objects.

Forklift Spotter Requirements


Some job duties of a forklift spotter include:

 Directing a travel route when a driver's vision is blocked


 Directing the positioning of a load on the forks when it is
being lifted
 Watching for drop-offs overhead wires, piping, and other
hazards when lifting a load or moving a load
 Keeping pedestrians away from the hazardous area and
travel paths
 Following the forklift, while traveling to protect the lift,
the load, and other vehicles

Most construction job sites are noisy and it might be hard for
others to hear you and make it difficult to communicate with
your coworkers and other drivers. Spotter uses a variety of
signals that prove to work better than voice commands in
these instances. Before starting a spotting job, you should
ensure that both you and the driver know the signals that will
be used to communicate. These signals can include "back-up",
"slow down", "move forward", "stop" and more.

Heavy Equipment Spotter Responsibilities


The need for spotters on a construction site extends far
beyond forklifts to all heavy equipment. Many jobs can benefit
from a spotter's help, including jobs that use aerial lifts,
earthmovers, such as cranes and bulldozers, and any other
heavy equipment where the driver may not be able to see
clearly. Spotters are essential when you are working
around overhead hazards including structures, steel columns,
and most especially live power lines.

When traveling down narrow paths and tight spaces a spotter


is also needed to help navigate the space. Heavy equipment
spotters have the same basic duties that forklift spotters do.
They help guide aerial lift and equipment operators when they
are moving their vehicle or equipment. Heavy equipment
spotters can also scan the area from trip and fall hazards and
ensure other workers stay out of the path of travel.

Before you are a spotter for heavy equipment make sure you
have a plan with the operator and have a clear understanding
of what exactly you are doing and where you are going. You
should agree on hand signals as well as the travel route.

Safety Practices For Spotters


It does not matter if you are spotting for a forklift driver or for
someone operating heavy equipment there are some safety
practices you should follow. These include:

 Wear highly visible clothing


 Avoid walking into the path of a vehicle, moving
equipment, or a swinging load
 Avoid walking behind heavy equipment while spotting
 Stand where an aerial lift or equipment is going while
flagging it back
 Scan a worksite for hazards and remove them before a
job
 Ensure a forklift driver stops if they lose sight of their
driver
 Focus on your job
 Do not use a phone, headphones, or other items that can
be distracting while spotting
 Agree on hand signals before you start a spotting job
 Make sure you keep constant visual contact with the
driver while the vehicle is in motion

When you are planning a job and travel route with a driver
see if the need to backup can be eliminated. If not, minimize
the number of times you would need to back up the
machinery to keep everyone safe. If you have never spotted
before or operated the machinery, discuss any concerns with
the driver or your foreman to make sure everyone is going to
the job correctly. This will help everyone prevent accidents on
a construction site.

Spotter Training
OSHA regulations require that a spotter is on a construction
job site when working with forklifts and heavy equipment.
Regardless of OSHA requirements, it is always a good idea to
be a trained spotter. Forklift and heavy equipment spotter
training involves learning the drive the equipment and the
best spotting practices. That way if a new driver is needed a
spotter can often be a driver and a driver can be used as a
spotter. training can also ensure that everyone is using the
same hand signals and knows the best course of action.

Stay Safe & Use a Spotter


Forklift and heavy equipment spotters are crucial in the
construction industry to maintain a safe worksite. Spotters
should understand their day to day responsibilities so they
can help complete various tasks without putting themselves
and their coworkers in danger. Spotters can also contribute to
an overall safe work environment and help the crew maximize
its productivity daily.

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