Page 48 - MRF Training TJ MRF Manual Version 5 22042024 final April 24_Neat

T J O P E R A T I V E S T R A I N I N G M A N U A L V E R S I O N 5

11.13.4 Safe System of Work for Reversing

General

It is important that you realise what hazards to your own health &
safety and that of others including members of the public can arise from your work so
that you can control them. It is important to drive the vehicle to at least the standards
required by competence test and to operate all the ancillary equipment in a safe and
competent manner. Never operate any vehicle or equipment unless you have been
trained in its use.

Reversing

Reversing is always a high risk activity and should be avoided if at all possible or
minimised. REVERSING MUST ALWAYS BE CARRIED OUT AT THE SLOWEST
VEHICLE SPEED POSSIBLE I.E. ON A FLAT LEVEL SURFACE THE VEHICLE
SHOULD BE MANOVERED WITH THE ENGINE ON TICK OVER AND ON AN
INCLINE YOU MUST USE THE LOWEST ENGINE / VEHICLE SPEED PRACTICAL
Should the need still be to reverse the vehicle then the manoeuvre MUST be controlled
and where necessary using a reverse assistant. It must be recognised however that
using a reverse assistant can be dangerous as this is placing a pedestrian in an area
where machinery is moving and operating.

When drivers do not have an assistant he/she must ALWAYS CARRY OUT A VISUAL
CHECK OF THE AREA IN WHICH THEY ARE INTENDING TO REVERSE INTO
BEFORE STARTING THE REVERSING PROCEDURE, IF ANY DOUBT STOP GET
OUT AND LOOK prior to the reverse manoeuvre being carried out.

Reversing assistants sometimes known as Banksman are defined as TRAINED
employees who play an active part in reversing manoeuvres by giving prearranged
hand signals to drivers. Their role is to stop collisions with people other vehicles, plant,
or obstructions. To do this they may:

Signal the driver to stop when it is unsafe to proceed

Be used to warn, or divert, approaching vehicles and pedestrians

Act as a second pair of eyes to detect potential risks for the driver, and to signal
the driver to STOP when necessary.

IMPORTANT:

Only trained reversing assistants / banks-man should assist reversing vehicles.

Before making the manoeuvre, the driver and reversing assistant should agree who
will stand where.

Reversing assistants should NEVER stand directly behind the vehicle.

The correct position for the reversing assistant is 3 metres to the side of the vehicle
and 1 meter to the rear.

Page 47 of 181

Reviewed April 2024