At a glance
Blind areas refer to spaces of limited visibility around construction vehicles and equipment. Resources to improve workers' abilities to identify these areas can help workers stay safe on the job.
Why it's important
Highway and street construction workers are at risk of fatal and serious injuries while working at roadway construction job sites.
There is risk of injury from being struck by construction vehicles and equipment moving within the work zones. Limited visibility around equipment partly contributes to these incidents.
Diagram lookup
The section below lists construction vehicles for which there are blind area diagrams.
Test procedure
View the procedure for developing Blind Area Diagrams.
For each vehicle, diagrams represent the operator's ability to see objects at different elevations:
- Ground level
- 900 mm (3')
- 1500 mm (4'11")
The 900 mm plane represents the average height of a channelizing device. The 1500 mm plane corresponds to the height of a 4' 11" person.
NIOSH Manual Method
You can use this method to understand blind areas around their own equipment.
2 Axle, Front Steer, Rear Dump Trucks
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 Axle, Front Steer, Rear Dump Trucks
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Articulated, 3 Axle, Rear Dump Trucks
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Backhoe Loaders
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Dozers
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Graders
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Hydraulic Excavators
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Loaders
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Cold Planers
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Road Recyclers – Reclaimers
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Rollers
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Scrapers
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Transfers – Shuttle Buggies
3 blind area diagrams representing ability of the operator to see objects at 3 different elevations.
Disclaimer
The blind area diagrams are reproduced as received from the contractor, Caterpillar Inc., under NIOSH contract number 200-2002-00563. The opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed herein are not necessarily those of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Furthermore, mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH.
Content Source:
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health