Large Vehicles, difficult conditions, greater danger
Industries such as mining, quarrying, agriculture, construction and waste all use huge machines and plant equipment, which by their very nature pose a danger if they are not managed safely. Blind spots tend to be much larger on these vehicles and include not only the rear and nearside but also the front, especially with elevated driver positions. Terrains are harsher, vehicles are exposed to the elements more aggressively whilst thick dust and darkness decrease visibility further. The ISO 5006 standard for earth-moving equipment addresses the problem of blind spots around a vehicle and states that the operator must be able to “see around the machine to enable proper, effective and safe operation.” Camera monitor systems provide this to some extent, but in difficult environmental conditions a range of complementary devices are vital to give visual and audible operator warnings. The UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE) warned about the dangers of poorly managed transport in the workplace after a coal mining company was fined following the death of two men crushed by a 100-ton capacity dump truck. The dump truck driver could not see their vehicle because it was in a blind spot.