According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 70 workers died from backover incidents in 2011. A backover incident occurs when a backing vehicle strikes a worker who is standing, walking, or kneeling behind the vehicle. These incidents can be prevented. OSHA has published a new Preventing Backovers webpage that provides information about the hazards of backovers; solutions that can reduce the risk or frequency of these incidents; articles and resources; and references to existing regulations and letters of interpretation.

How do backover incidents occur?

Backover accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Drivers may not be able to see a worker in their blind spot. Workers may not hear backup alarms because of other worksite noises or because the alarms are not functioning. A spotter assisting one truck may not see another truck behind him. Workers riding on vehicles may fall off and get backed over. Drivers may assume that the area is clear and not look in the direction of travel. Sometimes, it is unclear why a worker was in the path of a backing vehicle. A combination of factors can also lead to backover incidents.

What can be done to prevent backover incidents?

Many solutions exist to prevent backover incidents. Drivers can use a spotter to help them back up their vehicles. Video cameras with in-vehicle display monitors can give drivers a view of what is behind them. Proximity detection devices, such as radar and sonar, can alert drivers to objects that are behind them. Tag-based systems can inform drivers when other employees are behind the vehicle and can alert employees when they walk near a vehicle equipped to communicate with the tag worn by the employee. On some work sites, employers can create internal traffic control plans, which tell the drivers where to drive and can reduce the need to back up. In some cases, internal traffic control plans can also be used to separate employees on foot from operating equipment.

Training is another tool to prevent backover incidents. Blind spots behind and around vehicles are not immediately obvious to employees on foot. By training employees on where those blind spots are and how to avoid being in them, employers can prevent some backover incidents. One component of this training can include putting employees who will be working around vehicles in the driver’s seat to get a feel for where the blind spots are and what, exactly, the drivers can see. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) several blind spot diagrams that can help explain what drivers of various large trucks can see.

However, even though EPA Headquarters is bowing out of the program, they have essentially left it up to the various regions on how it will be handled at the regional level. Region 9 has chosen to proceed with “business as usual”, at least for the time being (2013). Our Regional Asbestos Coordinator, Ron Tsuchiya, will remain in place and active. He has recently finished a canvas of schools in California’s central valley area, and is currently working on violations there. He has also planned an inspection trip to Arizona in the coming year to target AHERA compliance in schools here.

Please read the federal EPA announcement below. If you have questions, please feel free to call The Asbestos Institute at 602-864-6564.

Launch of the Asbestos Resource Directory

Lynn Vendinello to: Regional Asbestos Coordinators 11/14/2012 11:56 AM

After several subsequent announcements and changes of plans, as far as we know at the present time, EPA has reversed their position and decided to retain the programs, although limited in funding, and the regional coordinator positions will be maintained.  However, the bulk of the compliance and enforcement will fall to the local jurisdictions.

We are fortunate in Arizona and the Southwestern states to have active programs at the state, county and air district levels.  We need to support these programs however we can, for we would have no asbestos control industry without them.

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Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations.

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Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations. The Inspector/Management Planner Refreshers are run concurrently.

1 day / 4 hours

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Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations. The Inspector/Management Planner Refreshers are run concurrently.

1 day / 4 hours

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Description:

This annual refresher training is required for anyone who designs asbestos abatement projects in any school, public, commercial or industrial building. This course includes updates on regulations , as well as 1/2 day for hands-on exercises in design of abatement in defined hypothetical situations. The course is conducted by a registered architect with a degree in environmental design. All certified persons must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification.

1 Day / 8 Hours

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Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations. The Inspector/Management Planner Refreshers are run concurrently.

1 Day / 4 Hours

Register

| Register

Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations. The Inspector/Management Planner Refreshers are run concurrently.

1 Day / 4 Hours

Register

| Register

Description:

This course meets all EPA, OSHA and AHERA requirements. This course concentrates on regulation changes and updates and new developments of state-of-the-art technology. All certified person must take annual refresher courses to maintain valid certification as required by federal regulations.

1 Day / 8 Hours

Register