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title: Start-Up/Back-Up
---

![ico_Transportation-Safety](https://jrvrgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4.%20Falls-Lake/icons/ico_Transportation-Safety.png?width=65&height=67&name=ico_Transportation-Safety.png)

# Start-Up/Back-Up

**Objective:** To prevent start-up/back-up accidents by anticipating the hazards involved and knowing how to safely control them.

**Description:** During a typical start-up/back-up situation, a vehicle has been parked for a long enough time to allow pedestrians and other vehicles to approach and rest within a few feet of the parked vehicle. Starting up forward, backward, or steering left or right from a stopped position can create an unexpected hazard for both the driver and bystanders.

**Questions for Management:**

1. Are drivers aware of different types of hazards that may arise during start-up/back-up?
2. Do drivers take time to walk around their vehicles and look under vehicles checking for people, vehicles, or other objects, which may obstruct their start-up/back-up path?
3. What do you do to encourage drivers to make a walk-around check?
4. Are vehicles provided with adequate mirrors?

**Maintenance Checks:**

- Check for proper mirror adjustment.
- Check for broken mirrors and loose mountings.
- Check for proper tail light, brake light, and turn signal function.
- Check for proper function of horn and back-up warning signal (if so equipped).

**Driving Tips:**

- Before start-up or back up, walk around vehicle and look underneath to ensure you have safe clearance for start-up.
- Do not forget to check blind area on right and in front as well.
- After your walk-around check, do not delay in moving vehicle. Do not allow time for another hazard to approach.
- Check mirrors for proper adjustment frequently.
- Start up slowly at first to allow other vehicles and pedestrians, who may have unexpectedly approached, to safely move away.
- Tap horn in congested areas or recruit a signalman.

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