Anything in reverse is hard to do… even walking backwards is an un-natural movement. Have you ever watched people try to back a car or a truck? If they are experienced they move the selector to R or shift into reverse and they back up without a thought. (Is this right?) If you are inexperienced then it’s like your head has become unattached… because all of a sudden you are looking all over the place and trying to figure out which way to steer.

Even if you go to driving school very little time is spent going in reverse, because stats show that you don’t do it that often. But you might be surprised at how often there are collisions when backing even fatal collision occurs when backing. And they could all be prevented with practice and training and following the right steps.

Visibility and communication are the keys to backing. Whether you are backing a truck or a car the steps are the same.

In this course we will teach you what to look for, how to use your mirrors to determine your clearance. Upon completion you will understand the steps of backing, you will know how to use your mirrors, and you will understand how to use a ground guide. What steps you should take if you are alone and how to signal with a flashlight.

Course Overview and Content
The training program is a 1 day course. This breaks out to 1/2 day classroom, supported by 1/2 day practical component for the student operator at a venue within the Municipality for this program.

Topics Covered Include

• Define Preventable Collision
• Understand the Policy - Back in, Drive out
• Mirror - How to Use Them
  • When Backing
  • When Driving
  • When using a Guide
    
• Steps to Make Backing Safe - Every Time
• Visibility - What You Need to See
• Communication
• Use of Ground Guides
  • Guide Positioning
  • Hand Signals
  • Signals in Night or Day
  • Hazards Associated with Ground Guide
    

*NOTE: If the Municipality/Organization does not have a policy for backing, Ground Force will provide a standard operating procedure and a one page policy insert for backing.

Hands-On Activities
The students will be taken outside for hands-on practice/review on what was taught during the classroom portion. The trainer will provide constructive feedback and reinforcement and relate the training to job requirements.  Therefore, the trainee will immediately be able to apply their new knowledge and skills gained in the training session directly to their job environment.

Field / Practical Exercises:

• Obstacle Course with Mirrors
• Obstacle Course with Ground Guides
• Visibility Exercise

Evaluation/Documentation
Theory exam (multiple choice); oral exam (by instructor). A certificate of completion and a training summary is provided for each successful participant.