This document provides training on safety requirements for spotters assisting with heavy equipment operation on construction sites. It outlines that spotters are needed when operators do not have full visibility and to help prevent accidents that are a leading cause of death. The training covers OSHA regulations for spotters, including using visual aids and effective communication. It also details requirements such as spotters wearing high-visibility vests and using standardized hand signals to direct equipment operators. The goal is to ensure spotters and operators work together closely to follow safety practices and prevent injuries or deaths from heavy machinery.

1. Moving
Equipment on a
construction site
Presented by Access Safety
Compliance Training
Spotters
and
Operators
Safety
Training
Series

2. Vehicles and Heavy Equipment
FACT
• Almost 200 U.S. construction
workers die each year from motor
vehicle accidents on the job.
Hundreds more are injured.
• Accidents involving moving
vehicles and heavy equipment are
the third leading cause of death
on construction sites.
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3. Session Objectives
 How to Keep Heavy
Equipment Work Safe
 OSHA requirements for
spotters
 Safety requirements on the
site
 What are spotter duties?
 When is a spotter needed?
 Hand signals used by
spotters
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4. OSHA View of
SPOTTERS
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1926.1408
(b)(4)(ii)
(A-D)

5. What is OSHA’s View of spotters
• 1926.1408(b)(4)(ii)
A dedicated spotter
who is in continuous
contact with the
operator. Where this
measure is selected,
the dedicated spotter
must:
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6. (A) BE EQUIPPED WITH A VISUAL AID TO ASSIST IN
IDENTIFYING THE MINIMUM CLEARANCE
DISTANCE.
(B) BE POSITIONED TO EFFECTIVELY GAUGE
THE CLEARANCE DISTANCE.
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7. (C) WHERE NECESSARY, USE EQUIPMENT THAT
ENABLES THE DEDICATED SPOTTER TO
COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE OPERATOR.
(D) GIVE TIMELY INFORMATION TO THE OPERATOR
SO THAT THE REQUIRED CLEARANCE DISTANCE
CAN BE MAINTAINED.
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8. What is expected from equipment
operators & spotters?
Safety is priority 1!
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9. Williams Specialty Services
requirements for Spotters
 Spotters shall be Identified by colored
vest, Air-horns and Flashlights.
 All Operators will designate one person as the
signal person for the Operator.
a. This person will have fluorescent
gloves to separate themself from the
other spotters.
 Spotters shall be trained in moving heavy
equipment procedures.
 Operators and spotters together shall assume
responsibility for the movement of heavy
equipment.
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10. Spotters Help Keep Heavy
Equipment Work Safe
In the heavy equipment industry, safety is
the top factor while operating on the work
site.
There are many ways to communicate
with an operator : hand signals, two way
radio , air-horns or signal flags.
Operators use and rely on spotters to help
navigate the equipment and help avoid
striking pedestrians and plant equipment.
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11. What is a spotter?
When it comes to safety, a spotter is necessary for
heavy equipment to move safely.
This person has to watch out for others as well as
for themselves around moving equipment.
The spotter makes sure the heavy equipment
doesn’t damage property or people.
There is danger involved and clear communication
is required between the operator and the spotter.
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12. When is a spotter needed?
Spotters are
necessary around
heavy equipment
when:
Operating in busy areas or
when traffic is present.
A driver or operator does not
have a full view of the
intended path of travel.
Backing up with limited
visibility or space.
Maneuvering or backing up
trailers.
Maneuvering around with
limited space.
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13. When is a spotter needed?
Spotters may be necessary around
heavy equipment when:
• Lifting or moving materials with heavy
equipment.
• Maneuvering into or inside buildings
or other structures.
• Passing under or near overhead
power lines.
• When physical hazards are on
premise.
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14. Access Safety Compliance Training, Inc..

15. Communication
Communication is key to spotter and heavy
equipment operator relationship
Spotters need to watch where they are walking or
positioned and make sure they are visible to the
operator.
Spotters also need to be able to understand how to
signal or communicate with the operator.
Operators should never loose site of their
spotters, if they cannot see them for any reason
STOP.
If there is something obstructing an Operator view
they must first stop the vehicle and then let the
spotter know that they can no longer see.
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16. SPOTTERS – ARE AN IMPORTANT
REQUIREMENT
One requirement
for the safe
backing of
equipment is
to have a
spotter to
prevent the
equipment
from striking
objects.
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17. SPOTTERS -AN IMPORTANT
REQUIREMENT
A spotter is
required
when the
operator
does not
have a clear
view of the
travel path.
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18. BE SURE YOU'RE SEEN
SPOTTERS!
Always be sure that you can be seen.
In addition to standing to the
driver's side of the vehicle, wear a
fluorescent vest. By all means
keep your hands and feet away
from the load and out of the
Zone of Influence. While
you are walking, be careful not to
trip over uneven road surfaces.
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19. WHAT IS THE ZONE OF INFLUENCE
The area where a spotter could potentially be hurt or killed by the
moving equipment or materials being transported
6’ 8”
Load Height
8’ 8”
4’ 5”
14’ 1”
13’ 6”
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Around a Fort Lift
“Power Industrial Truck”

20. WHAT IS THE ZONE OF INFLUENCE
The area where a spotter could potentially be hurt or killed by
the moving equipment or materials being transported
36’ 4”
8’ 0”
8’ 0”
34’ 0”
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Around a
Aerial Lift

21. WHAT IS THE ZONE OF INFLUENCE
The area where a spotter could potentially be hurt or killed by
the moving equipment or materials being transported
14’ 10”
18’ 2”
4’ 0”
21’ 2”
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Around a
Telescopic Handler

22. Hand Signals
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23. Forklift hand signals
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24. Chart of Hand Signals
Class exercise
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25. Where did my spotter go????

26. Where did my spotter go????

27. Where did my spotter go????

28. Where did my spotter go????

29. Where did my spotter go????

30. Where did my spotter go????

31. Where did my spotter go????

32. Where did my spotter go????

33. Where did my spotter go????

34. Telescopic Handlers
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35. Chart of Hand Signals
Class exercise
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36. REVIEW
 Spotters shall be Identified by a
fluorescent colored vest, Air-horn and
Flashlights.
 All Operators will designate one person
as the signal person for the operator.
a. This person will wear
fluorescent gloves to separate
themselves from other spotters.
 Operator and Spotters will practice
human performance tools.
 Spotters will only wear the fluorescent
vest when spotting moving equipment.
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37. REVIEW
 Operators are required to have at
lease 1 spotter at all times when
moving loads or heavy equipment.
 Spotter duties include knowing the
proper Hand Signals.
 Spotters shall avoid being in the
Operators blind spot or in the Zone
of Influence.
 Operators will STOP when
they cannot see the spotter.
 All Safety requirements will be
followed on site.
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38. REVIEW
 Spotters will by all means stay a
minimum distance of 4 feet away
from the load and equipment when
spotting.
 Spotters shall never guide or
support a load while being
transported.
 Operators shall never move the
equipment if the spotter/spotters
are not in their vision.
Thank you and Stay Safe!
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