OSHA’s New Initiative Raises Awareness About Preventing Backover Incidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched the #MirrorCheck initiative to raise awareness about preventing backover incidents and fatalities in the construction industry.

According to the agency, every year, backover incidents lead to serious injuries and fatalities in construction zones and workplaces. These incidents often happen when drivers lose sight of people, objects, or vehicles behind them.

The #MirrorCheck initiative highlights effective solutions to minimize backover risks:

  • Equip heavy machinery with audio and visual alarms, which can improve worker awareness—especially in blind spots—and encourage caution when operating machinery around workers.
  • Properly adjust mirrors to minimize blind spots.
  • Use spotters to maintain constant visual contact with drivers and establish hand signals to communicate effectively. Spotters should wear high-visibility clothing and have no other duties or distractions.
  • Install rearview cameras to enhance safety without blocking a driver’s view. For larger vehicles such as dump trucks, multiple cameras may be needed.
  • Employ proximity detection systems, such as radar or ultrasonic technologies, that can be mounted on some vehicles.
  • Develop internal traffic control plans to coordinate equipment, worker, and vehicle movement.

Below are materials designed to promote a conversation on safety practices to eliminate jobsite risks and prevent backover incidents.

  • “Top 5 Things You Need to Know” Poster (Español): A one-page, easy-to-read document summarizing key backover safety points for quick reference.
  • Backover Prevention Toolbox Talk (Español): A straightforward, no-tech required resource designed for on-site reading. It covers essential backover safety practices and is perfect for a quick discussion among workers. 
  • PowerPoint Presentation (Español): This presentation highlights backover safety and is meant to be customized with your logo and catch phrases to promote ownership and the safety culture of your organization.

For more information you can visit OSHA’s Blog, Preventing Backovers Safety and Health Topic page, and video.