Employer Responsibilities - Standard Operating Procedures

Preventative training helps an employee understand how to stop an incident from occurring, such as knowing how to properly use specific equipment and the safety controls installed within that equipment.

Employers are responsible for addressing worker safety and minimizing the work performed near construction equipment through actions such as the following:

• Developing standard operating procedures
• Implementing standard operating procedures
• Enforcing standard operating procedures

Standard operating procedures outline specific safety precautions, as follows:

• Use equipment designed to minimize blind areas and equipment with proximity warning systems.
• Establish safe work practices for night work and backing equipment by requiring high visibility apparel.
• Design worksites to minimize backing vehicles and equipment.
• Provide adequate oversight and supervision by a competent person.
• Ensure that drivers only back up under the direction of a spotter.
• Ensure daily communication between the prime and sub-contractors to discuss any changes or revisions in construction traffic flow.
• Channel construction vehicles and equipment away from workers by using visual safety devices, such as:
  • Retro reflective barrels
  • Delineators
  • Portable barricades
  • Cones
• Install signs to guide workers on foot with respect to elements such as:
  • Traffic areas
  • Vehicle flow
  • Worker-free zones

Employers must communicate safety standards with employees through a variety of methods, including the following:

• Reviewing communication signals between personnel, such as:
  • Spotters
  • Machine operators
  • Drivers
  • Workers on foot
• Prohibiting the use of cell phones onsite
• Providing two-way radios to personnel responsible for coordinating vehicle activity

To learn more about Backover Safety visit our Construction Backover Safety Online Training web page.