Visibility, Mirrors & Cameras on Equipment
Big machines have big blind spots. Operators cannot see people or objects hidden behind the cab, boom, bucket or load. Mirrors, cameras and sensors help, but they do not remove blind spots, and they work best with good procedures.
- Operators
- Equipment Managers
- Ground Crews
Know the blind spots
- A loader or dozer can hide a person standing several feet behind it. A large dump truck can hide an entire car.
- Mirrors can bend images and distort distance. Cameras have a limited field of view and can be blocked by dirt, glare or rain.
- Operators should walk around the machine before starting to look for people and obstacles.
Tools
- Mirrors: flat and convex mirrors adjusted to show the sides and rear. Keep them clean and tight.
- Backup cameras with a monitor in the cab. Position the screen so it can be seen easily without leaning.
- 360-degree camera systems that stitch several cameras to show a bird's-eye view.
- Radar and proximity sensors that warn when something is near. See Proximity Warning Systems.
- Backup alarms and lights.
Using them well
- Clean lenses and mirrors at the start of each shift, and when mud or rain covers them.
- Adjust mirrors and the monitor before moving. Test cameras and alarms during the pre-start check.
- Use them with a spotter when backing, in tight spaces or when people are nearby. See Backing & Spotters.
- Do not rely only on technology; look directly when you can, and stop if a person disappears from view.
- Set sensors to the right range so the alarm does not constantly go off, which leads operators to ignore it.
- Report broken cameras or mirrors. Take equipment out of service if visibility is seriously impaired and cannot be fixed that day.
Ground worker rules
- Stay out of blind spots; if you must approach, make eye contact with the operator and wait for a signal
- Wear high-visibility clothing. See High-Visibility Clothing
- Keep walkways separate from machine paths with barriers and traffic plans
- Never walk behind a moving machine
Trucks have similar blind spots. See Truck Blind Spots.
Standards & references
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