How to Prevent Blind-Spot Accidents

Integrate multiple safety tools to reduce your accident rate.

Blind-spot and backing up accidents account for 25 to 50 percent of the heavy equipment-related accidents, according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

To improve worker and vehicle safety, some well-known aggregate, construction and waste companies have combined the power of multiple technologies to create a more effective safety system and substantially reduce their accident rate. Certain combinations also produce bonus benefits such as decreased work-site noise levels.

Activate Passive Cameras

Cameras offer the operator a view directly behind the vehicle, which covers the biggest blind spot. They have become commonplace on work sites, especially for on-road and off-road heavy equipment. But cameras are a passive warning system. Like side mirrors, they are only effective if the operator uses them. Also, fog, rain, direct sunlight and debris hinder cameras.

Pulsed-radar object-detection systems send signals from the sensor to look for objects and people hidden from the driver’s view. When anything is detected in the blind spot, an audible warning and visual notification is sent to the driver in time to stop the vehicle. This active system functions in any visibility level or road condition, but it does not provide the operator with a clear view of the object.

Combining cameras with object-detec­tion radars delivers one point of reference. The detection system alerts operators to any object in their blind spot, and they can see it on the monitor as well. Some systems offer indicators on the camera’s monitor that tell the operator approximately how close he or she is to the detected object. Integrating cameras with an object-detection radar system combines the best of both technologies into one active system for the driver.

Reduce Work-Site Noise

The back-up alarm is a staple on most heavy equipment today (on- or off-road). The alarm is meant to alert people when a vehicle is reversing. However, when you have multiple vehicles on a work site, pedestrians and other vehicles constantly hear the beeps, making it an ineffective warning system.

Combining a back-up alarm with an object-detection system increases the back-up alarm’s effectiveness while reducing the work site’s noise levels. The object-detection sensor can be set to trigger the back-up alarm only when someone or something is in the path of the reversing vehicle. Other options include changing the back-up alarm’s tone or increasing its volume when something is detected. Linking an object-detection radar system to the back-up alarm makes the alarm far more effective.

Combine Three Systems

A three-in-one safety system combines the power of cameras, the active pulsed-radar blind-spot detection warning system and a smart back-up alarm. Heavy equipment drivers get the best view of their surroundings and an active blind-spot warning system, while those around the vehicles receive warnings only when they are in harm’s way.

Train Operators

Whether you combine technologies or not, always train your operators on any tools they have available. If you combine technologies, explain to your operators how they work together.

Drivers and other workers at the work site need to be alert and responsive to safety measures. Use blind-spot safety technologies to empower workers and drivers to work together and create a safe work environment for everyone.

Construction Business Owner, September 2011