1. VEHICLE SAFETY INSTITUTE
Backing up

2. General Principles
A) General Rules
1) If you can avoid backing, don’t do it!
2) Never be in a hurry when backing.
3) If there is no spotter available:
i) Reconsider backing up. Is it really necessary?
ii) Make a reasonable attempt to get someone to act as a spotter.
iii) If a spotter cannot be obtained, get out the unit and walk around the unit completing a "circle of safety" and survey the backing area. Before proceeding to back the unit, be sure to also check overhead clearance.
iv) Give a final warning of two horn blasts just prior to backing.
B) Driver Responsibilities
1) Bring the unit to a complete stop.
2) Roll window down completely.
3) Make visual and verbal contact with the spotter. “If you cannot see or hear the spotter, do not backup!”
4) Driver and spotter must establish and continue eye contact in the left rear view mirror at all times.
5) Drivers must have a thorough knowledge of spotter hand signals.
6) The spotter hand signals to the driver indicating it is safe to begin backing.
7) The driver gives a two blast warning on the horn just prior to backing.
C) Spotter Responsibilities:
1) Conduct a "circle of safety" and survey the backing area and all other sides of the vehicle, checking for hazards. Before proceeding to back unit, be sure to also check overhead clearance.
2) Communicate any observed hazards to the driver
3) Place yourself eight to ten feet to the left rear of the unit.
4) Establish visual and verbal contact with the driver and continue eye to eye contact in the left rear view mirror at all times.
5) Be familiar with hand signals before allowing backing maneuvers to begin.
6) Stop the driver if any hazards are observed or if you are uncertain of the direction that the driver is maneuvering.
The following guidelines and instructions are endorsed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs. The fact that these procedures are utilized by safety personnel speaks to their effectiveness and standard practice.

3. General Principles Avoid backing if you can.
Never be in a hurry when backing.
Try to find someone to act as a spotter.

4. General Principles If there is no spotter available:
Reconsider backing up. Is it really necessary?
Get out and walk around the vehicle. Complete a "circle of safety”. Be sure to check overhead clearance.
Give a final warning of two horn blasts just prior to backing.

5. Driver Responsibilities (when using a spotter)
Bring the vehicle to a complete stop.
Open the window completely.
Make visual and verbal contact with the spotter: “If you cannot see or hear the spotter, do not backup!”
Establish and continue eye contact with the spotter in the left rear view mirror at all times.

6. Driver Responsibilities (when using a spotter)
Have a thorough knowledge of spotter hand signals.
(We’ll cover these in part II.)
Wait for spotter to signal that it is safe to begin backing.
Give a two blast warning on the horn just prior to backing.

7. Spotter Responsibilities
Check for hazards in a "circle of safety“, including the backing area and all sides of the vehicle. Check overhead clearance.
Communicate any hazards to the driver.
Place yourself eight to ten feet to the left rear of the unit.
(You may need more room for longer backings or making turns.)
© 2000 VFIS

8. Spotter Responsibilities
Stand still to avoid tripping and falling.
Establish visual and verbal contact with the driver. Continue eye to eye contact at all times.
Be familiar with hand signals before allowing backing to begin.
STOP the driver if any hazards are observed OR if uncertain of the direction that the driver is moving.

9. BACKING UP – PART II
USING HAND SIGNALS

10. Hand Signals – Back Straight
When directing a driver straight back, motion backwards with both arms.
Click to begin video.
When directing a driver straight back,
motion backwards with both arms.

11. Hand Signals – Back Left
Any turns should have been communicated between the driver and spotter in advance. There should be no surprises here.
Any turns should have been communicated between the driver and spotter in advance. There should be no surprises here. To direct the driver to back left, point with your left arm, and motion to the left with your right arm.
Click to begin video.
To direct the driver to back left, point with your left arm, and motion to the left with your right arm.

12. Hand Signals – Back Right
To direct the driver to back right, point with your right arm, and motion to the right with your left arm.
Click to begin video.
To direct the driver to back right, point with your right arm, and motion to the right with your left arm.

13. Hand Signals – STOP When directing the driver to stop,
When directing the driver to stop, cross both wrists directly overhead.
Click to begin video.
When directing the driver to stop,
cross both wrists directly overhead.

14. CREDITS INFORMATION ADAPTED FROM: JAMES DONAHE FELIX REYES JAN RICHTER
PRODUCER:
JAMES DONAHE
OUTREACH SERVICES SPECIALIST
VIDEOGRAPHER:
FELIX REYES
PUBLIC SERVICES SPECIALIST
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
JAN RICHTER
LIBRARY ASSISTANT
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