U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Agricultural Safety

Fact Sheet

Preventing Farm Vehicle Backover Incidents 

Backing up farm equipment and vehicles is a daily occurrence in the agricultural industry. 

Backover incidents occur when a backing vehicle strikes a worker who is standing, walking, or 

kneeling behind that vehicle. These incidents can be prevented. Backover incidents can result 

in serious injuries or deaths to farmworkers. Employers are responsible for maintaining a safe 

workplace for every worker. This fact sheet provides employers with information about backover 

hazards and safety measures.

Preventing or Minimizing 

Backover Hazards

Most backover incidents are due to the employer’s failure to train 

vehicle operators and enforce proper backing up techniques and 

preventive safety measures. Employers should ensure that 

unnecessary backing up is avoided. In addition, employers should also 

ensure that both the operator and other workers are always aware of 

their surroundings. Moreover, employers should develop and require 

the use of alternate travel routes and backover safety systems, which 

are effective safeguards to prevent backover incidents.

Hitching Farm Equipment and 

Implements 

Helpers often assist operators in backing up and hitching farm 

vehicles (e.g., truck or tractor). However, helpers working behind 

these vehicles risk becoming caught and crushed between the 

vehicle and the equipment being hitched. Employers should require 

the use of the following hitching and backing up safety measures.

Hitching operations without a helper:

• Inspect the equipment, including the hydraulic and electrical 

connections, drawbar hole and hitch pin, and the three-point hitch.

• Ensure that no one is standing or working behind the vehicle. 

• If available, use the vehicle backup camera and alarm to ensure 

that objects are not in the vehicle’s path.

• Back up the vehicle slowly to align the hole in the drawbar with 

the hole in the implement hitch. 

• Stop and put the vehicle in park, or lock the brakes.

• If required, dismount to connect the electrical and hydraulic 

connections and safety chains.

• Hitch the equipment to the vehicle.

• Release the parking brake/lock, place the vehicle in gear and 

slowly drive away.

Hitching operations with a helper:

• Inspect the equipment, including the hydraulic and electrical 

connections, drawbar hole and hitch pin, and the three-point 

hitch connection if applicable.

• Ensure that coordinated ASABE hand signals are understood 

and used (see below for coordinated hand signals).

• Back up the vehicle at the slowest speed possible toward 

the equipment. 

• Until the vehicle is stopped, the helper should stand outside the 

path of the vehicle.

Farmworkers on foot are at risk of being backed over by a farm vehicle.
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

• After the drawbar and equipment are aligned, stop and put the 

vehicle in park, or lock the brakes.

• Signal the helper that it is safe to approach the vehicle for a 

close inspection and to prepare for hitching operations. 

• If required, attach the electrical and hydraulic connections and 

safety chains. Move the vehicle forward or backward a few 

inches, if needed, to allow the helper to drop in the hitch pin. 

To prevent backover incidents, 

employers should: 

• Regularly assess each work location to determine if a traffic 

control plan is needed.

• Establish drive-through or circular turnaround areas. If this is 

not possible, provide adequate space for operators to perform 

a three-point turn. 

• Ensure that all turnaround areas are level, firm, and welldrained to prevent vehicles from tipping over. 

• Determine if a backup camera or system is needed.

• Never allow workers to eat lunch or rest near active working 

vehicles and equipment.

• Identify where workers might stand or walk unexpectedly.

• Determine if a spotter is required.

• Instruct workers and operators not to use personal mobile 

phones, headphones or any items that could create a distraction.

A circular turnaround area is the safest way to allow safe entry and 

exit of farm equipment and vehicles.

Working Conditions 

Working at night 

The lack of light can increase the operator’s blind spots, as well 

as impair his or her ability to see other workers. Employers should 

provide sufficient lighting for the worksite and vehicle, and require 

workers to wear reflectors or high-visibility vests to make them 

more visible. 

Working in bad weather

Bad weather, such as heavy rain, can pose particular hazards 

to workers and operators. Strong rain can reduce the operator’s 

visibility and make it very difficult to recognize workers and other 

vehicles that may be nearby. If the workers are at risk due to bad 

weather, employers should stop the work and ensure that the 

workers stay clear of moving vehicles until it is safe to return.

Training 

Employers should train vehicle operators to:

• Become familiar with backing up hazards and worksite 

safety measures.

• Back up only when necessary and for as short a distance 

as possible.

• Check the surrounding area for obstacles, other workers, 

and equipment.

• Understand the limitations of their vehicles and equipment, 

and operate them only in the way they were intended to be 

operated.

• Keep mirrors clean and adjusted properly to minimize blind spots.

• Know the vehicle’s blind spots — mirrors never give the 

entire view.

• Check that backup alarms, sensors, and cameras are 

functioning properly.

• Look under vehicles and trailers for workers; remember 

that some workers may not respond to verbal or mechanical 

warnings.

• Honk the vehicle’s horn and turn on the 4-way flashers, if 

necessary when backing up.

• Roll down cab windows, and if necessary, open the vehicle’s 

doors so that a person shouting can be heard.

• Understand that snow, mud, slush, or ice may prevent sudden 

stops and cause the vehicle to move in an unexpected manner. 

• Understand that bad weather may compromise the operator’s 

ability to hear or see warnings. 

• Always back up at a slow speed and watch carefully in 

all directions.
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

Employers should train farmworkers on foot to:

• Stand where they can see the vehicle’s mirrors whenever possible.

• Never go between a moving vehicle and any equipment that is 

hitched or being towed.

• Never stand or linger in a vehicle’s path.

• Never rest or sleep next to or under an agricultural work vehicle 

or equipment.

• Inform other workers when vehicles are approaching.

• Listen for the vehicle’s backup alarm and watch the 

vehicle’s movement.

• Never assume that the vehicle’s operator can see them.

• Never wear earbuds or headphones when working near farm 

vehicles and equipment. 

Using Hand Signals and Spotters 

Distance and noise can make voice commands very difficult to 

hear or understand in some agricultural locations. Agricultural hand 

signals have been developed for farm machinery operators by the 

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE/

E19). Hand signals can prevent accidents and save time. Learning 

American Society of Agricultural and Biological 

Engineers (ASABE/E19) Hand Signals

Start the engine. Move 

arm in a circle at waist 

level as though you were 

cranking an engine.

Stop the engine. Move 

your right arm across your 

neck from left to right in a 

“throat-cutting” motion.

Come to me — may mean 

“Come help me” in an 

emergency. Raise arm 

vertically overhead, palm to 

the front, and rotate in large 

horizontal circles.

Move toward me — 

follow me. Look toward person 

or vehicle you want moved. 

Hold one hand in front of you, 

palm facing you, and move your 

forearm back and forth.

Move out — take off. 

Face desired direction of 

movement. Extend arm 

straight out behind you, then 

swing it overhead and forward 

until it’s straight out in front of 

you with palm down.

Speed it up — increase 

speed. Raise hand to left 

shoulder, fist closed. Thrust 

fist upward to full extent of 

arm and back to shoulder 

rapidly several times.

Slow it down — decrease 

speed. Extend arm horizontally 

at your side, palm down, and 

wave arm downward (45 

degrees minimum) several times, 

keeping arm straight. Don’t 

move arm above horizontal.

Raise equipment. Point 

upward with forefinger 

while making a circle at 

head level with your hand.

Lower equipment. Point 

toward the ground with forefinger 

of one hand while moving the 

hand in circular motion.

This far to go. Put hands 

in front of face, palms facing 

each other. Move hands 

together or farther apart to 

indicate how far to go.

Stop. Raise hand upward, 

arm fully extended, palm to the 

front. Hold that position until 

the signal is understood.

Images courtesy of American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
U.S. Department of Labor t www.osha.gov t (800) 321-OSHA (6742)

hand signals will give workers and drivers an easy and effective 

way to communicate. Employers should train and require drivers 

and spotters to use the ASABE’s hand signals in all agricultural 

operations, especially when noise or distance is a factor.

Vehicle Safety Devices and 

Warning Systems 

Many safety devices and warning systems, including backup 

alarms, large backup lights, sensors, alarms that beep 

continuously while the vehicle is in reverse, and rear-view 

cameras, have come on the market and are now essential 

components of modern day farm vehicles. Older agricultural farm 

vehicles may lack these safety devices and systems. Planning 

ahead, establishing sound safety procedures, and adding safety 

warning devices to farm vehicles can help prevent backover 

incidents and injuries.

Workers’ Rights

Workers have the right to:

• Working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. 

• Receive information and training (in a language and vocabulary 

the worker understands) about workplace hazards, methods 

to prevent them, and the OSHA standards that apply to their 

workplace. Review records of work-related injuries and 

illnesses. 

• File a complaint asking OSHA to inspect their workplace if 

they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer 

is not following OSHA’s rules. OSHA will keep all identities 

confidential.

• Exercise their rights under the law without retaliation, including 

reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns with 

their employer or OSHA. If a worker has been retaliated against 

for using their rights, they must file a complaint with OSHA as 

soon as possible, but no later than 30 days.

For additional information, see OSHA’s Workers page.

For questions or to get information or advice, to report an emergency, fatality, inpatient hospitalization, amputation, 

or loss of an eye, to file a confidential complaint, or to request OSHA’s free on-site consultation service, contact your 

nearest OSHA office, visit www.osha.gov, or call OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), TTY 1-877-889-5627. 

For more information on ATV safety and other issues affecting farmworkers, visit OSHA’s Safety and 

Health Topics Agricultural Operations website at www.osha.gov/dsg/topics/agriculturaloperations.

This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or standards. It does not impose any 

new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to 

Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory-impaired individuals upon request. 

The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.

DSG FS-3840 12/2015