Vehicle Safety: Fixed Objects II

While elimination of all work tasks involving moving equipment or vehicles near fixed objects is not possible, there are many other additional safeguards and best practices that can be used to reduce the chance that objects are struck. A few of these other safeguards:

• Avoid backing. Often objects are struck when individuals are backing up.
• Never park within a few feet of a fixed object. Doing so leaves more of a chance that you or the next person using the equipment or vehicle will strike the object.
• Always perform a full walk around of the vehicle or equipment prior to operation.
• Pay attention while operating or driving- even at low speeds. Distractions or complacency are often a factor in low speed collisions.
• Use a spotter anytime you are working near fixed objects.
• Make the object more visible by using orange flags or other bright markers to bring attention to it.
• For objects at a worksite that are critical to operations or are costly to repair such as an AC unit, place concrete barriers or another protective barrier around it so the barrier is struck first instead of the critical object

There are many ways to prevent striking a fixed object. Elimination of work tasks near these objects or avoiding installing fixed objects near paths of travel in the first place is the best choice. A combination of safeguards is another effective method to reduce the chance of striking fixed objects. These types of incidents are truly 100% preventable if the proper steps are taken to avoid them.