This document provides information on the importance of spotters when operating heavy equipment. It discusses how spotters help direct equipment operators who have limited visibility. The document outlines best practices for spotters, including using clear hand signals to communicate with operators and maintaining a safe distance from moving equipment. It emphasizes that spotters and operators must work together closely to safely direct equipment movement.

1. Phoenix Petroleum Ltd.
Presents
Just Sit Back and Watch. There is a Quiz at the End !
So Watch and Listen Carefully. Good Luck

2. A Spotter is Someone Trained
to Look!

3.  A Spotter is Necessary when the Driver/Operator Does
Not Have a Full View of the Working Area and Needs
Someone to Direct Him/Her.
 Not Only if is there the Possibility of Injuring Someone,
but of Causing Property Damage

5. 3%
10%
22%
21%
12%
5%
27%
Under 20
20 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
56 - 64
65 & over

6.  Heavy Equipment is an Essential Part of Most
Industries Around the World.
 However, Statistics Indicate that they also are a Very
Significant Hazard to People Occupying the Same
Workspace.
 Since Injuries can be Severe or Fatal as Equipment is
Heavy and Powerful.

7.  Blind Spots.
 Rotating Equipment.
 Swing Radius.
 Travel Path.
 Approaching Machine Before Acknowledging the Operator.
 Non-Essential Workers on the Area.
 Struck by Overhead Loads Falling.
IF YOU CAN TOUCH THE MACHINE
YOU ARE TOO CLOSE!!!

8. Learn to Know the…
Danger-ZONE
THE SHADED AREA SURROUNDING EACH MACHINE
REPRESENTS THE DANGER ZONE IN WHICH THE
OPERATOR’S VIEW IS GREATLY REDUCED OR
OBSCURRED ALTOGETHER.

9. Dozer Excavator

10. Eye Level 7 ft. - 7 in Above
Ground Level
8’ 4” 29’ 1”
Backhoe
9’ 1”
7’ 7”
18’ 5”

11. Eye Level 6 ft. - 3 in Above
Ground Level
Dozer
12’ 1”
18’ 7”
8’ 2”
12’ 5”
8’ 2”
16’ 0”
3’ 10”

12. Eye Level 10 ft. - 0 in Above
Ground Level
Wheel Loader
21’ 11” 14’ 10”
14’ 3”
16’ 2”
14’ 8”
28’11”

13. Eye Level 5 ft. - 5 in Above
Ground Level
6’ 1”
11’ 7”
6’ 3”
Skid Steer
3’ 1”
4’ 10”
11’ 5”
21’ 8”

14. Eye Level 6 ft. - 10 in Above
Ground Level
40’ 6”
36’ 8”
Semi-Truck & Trailer
27’ 1”
42’ 8” 6’ 5”
Area of Fully
Obstructed View
(more than 300 ft.)

15. Hydro Vac
Eye Level 8 ft. - 0 in above
Ground Level
8’ 7”
29’ 0”
24’ 0”
31’ 0”
24’ 6”
37’ 4”
41’ 0”
Area of Fully
Obstructed View
from Educator Hose
(more than 100 ft.)
Area of fully
obstructed view
(more than 300 ft.)

16.  Make Sure No One Enters the Danger Zone While the Machine is
in Operation.
 The Danger Zone is the Area around the Equipment where the
Operator Doesn’t have Full Visibility During Normal Operation.
 Stay at Least 10 ft. Away from all Sides of the Equipment.
 Front, Both Sides (left, right) ,the Right Rear is the Most
Dangerous (the blindside).
 The Back ,Behind the Equipment is also one of the Most
Dangerous Areas to be.

17. If You’re Working near Moving Vehicles or Equipment,
What are the Most Important Safety Points to
Remember?
 Stay Alert at all Times.
 Don’t Distract Yourself.
 Keep a Safe Distance.
 Keep off the Equipment Unless Authorized.
 Watch out for Shifting or Unstable Loads.
 Wear a Bright Orange Vest if you are Working
 Near Moving Vehicles or Heavy Equipment.
 Wear Reflective Clothing at Night.

18.  There is the Important Rule for Drivers and
Operators:
“Don't Back Up or Move a Vehicle or Heavy
Equipment Unless You Have a Spotter Directing
Your Every Movement."
It's an Easy Rule to Remember.
The Important Thing is to Obey It.

19. When:
 Backing a Vehicle or Machine
 Entering or Moving a Vehicle or
Machine in a Congested Area
 Poor Visibility
 Co-Workers or other Contractors in Close Proximity to
your Work Zone
 Lateral, Overhead Power Lines, or Other Obstructions

20.  This Person Has to Watch Out for Others as Well as
for Themselves (Keeping Enough Distance Between
the Spotter and Equipment Moving), and Make Sure
the Vehicle/Machine Doesn't Do Damage to Property.
 It May Appear as an Easy Task. But There are a Lot
of Dangers Involved.

21. SPOTTERS AND DRIVERS/OPERATORS
MUST WORK TOGETHER
 The Operator will Discuss the Positioning, Backing,
Movement and Plan with the Spotter Before
Proceeding.
 The Operator SHALL STOP the Unit Immediately
Prior to Losing Sight or Losing Sight of the Spotter.

22.  In Order to Give an Unobstructed View of the Entire
Movement of Equipment, Stand at the Driver's Side.
When Directing the Driver/Operator.
 It's Important that the Driver/Operator Understands the
Signals, So Together Before Any Movement Happens
Explain the Signals that will be Used.
 Allow for Sufficient Stopping Distance and Clearance

23.  Always be Sure to Use the Same Signals for the Same
Moves (Avoid Misunderstandings)
 Hand Signals are Much Better than Vocal Signals.
Because of Noise, a Shouted Signal May Not be Heard
or May be Misunderstood.
 If the Driver/Operator is Unclear at any Point about the
Spotter’s Signals, All Movement should be STOPPED
Immediately.
 Never Assume What the Spotter is Signaling

24. STRAIGHT BACKWARD OR FORWARD
To move the Vehicle in a Straight Line Either Forward or
Backward.

25. TURN – To Move the Vehicle Either to the Right or
Left While the Vehicle is Moving

26. DISTANCE TO STOPPING POINT
To provide the driver a Visual Reference for the
Distance to the Stop Point.

27. CLEARED TO LEAVE THE AREA
To Show the Driver the Machine is Clear of
Obstructions and is Cleared to Leave in the
Direction Indicated.

28. STOP !
Stop all Movement of the Machine, Await Further
Instructions.

29. When Spotting, Concentrate on Spotting !
“The Task at Hand”.
 Maintain “Eye Contact with the Driver/Operator”,
Even if You Have to Change Positions Frequently.
 If the Spotter Needs to STOP Momentarily for Any
Reason, First Make Sure that the Driver/Operator
STOPS the Equipment.

30. If You or Someone Else Has to Pass Behind a
Vehicle or Equipment:
 STOP the Vehicle or Equipment First.
 As You're Passing Behind it, Extend Your Hand at
Arm's Length and Place it Against the Back of the
Vehicle/Equipment.
 Then if the Vehicle/Equipment Starts to Move, You'll
be able to Feel the Movement and Get Out of the
Way.

31. In Addition to Standing on the Driver's Side of the
Vehicle/Equipment:
Wear a Fluorescent Vest.
 In the Dark, Don't Blind the Driver by Shining Your
Flashlight in the Backup Mirror.

32.  Day or Night, “AVOID” Walking Backward.
 If you have to, When Walking Backwards,
“Be Careful NOT to Trip (Check the Path)”.