The Six S’s of Backing Up In Order, Stop Brain Fog Fast

The Six S’s of Safe Backing Up

There is a safe way to backup all vehicles, whether they are simple company cars or heavy machines like bulldozers or boom trucks. Backing up simply refers to any situation in which a driver needs to drive in reverse. The six S’s of backing up are important to driver safety and preventing damage to property and other employees. These six steps are:

1. Sweep: Before getting into the vehicle, walk around the back of the vehicle and make sure there is nothing there that you might back into. Once you have checked that the area is clear to back up, then you can move to the next step.
2. Seatbelt: Put on your seatbelt before starting the vehicle and preparing to back up. 
3. Situate: Use your mirrors and turn to look out the back of your vehicle to make sure the path of travel is clear. 
4. Scan: Constantly look out the back of the vehicle to make sure nothing gets in your way.
5. Swivel: While scanning, back up. 
6. Stop: Stop the vehicle before changing gears and driving forward or getting out of the vehicle. 

Why Working in Order Matters

The order of these steps is not optional; they must be done in this order to prevent you from hitting a pedestrian or object. Working outside of the correct order compromises the safety of not just you, the driver, but those around the vehicle such as employees and pedestrians. 

Skipping any of the steps in the backing up process will come with different but equally terrible consequences. Not putting on a seatbelt, for example, is illegal and dangerous, especially if you are hit by another vehicle. Not taking the time to situate yourself with your mirrors and looking behind you is dangerous because it makes you unaware of your surroundings before backing up. 

Know Your Left From Right: Backup Safety

There are multiple things to do when backing up vehicles, especially large ones. Some of these practices aren’t included in the six S’s. 

It can be disorienting at times to back up due to the reversal of directions. This is why situating yourself and moving slowly is so important. When backing up, going left means going right, and going right means going left. Turning to look out of the back of the vehicle as you back up can help remove some of this difficulty by allowing you to visualize this reversal of left and right. 

Becoming accustomed to this change can take time. Practicing the six S’s of backing up in order slowly will help, though. 

Leaving Distractions Behind

Around 3,000 people die every year in accidents involving a distracted driver. You do not want to be the distracted driver that causes one of those accidents. For your safety and those around you when backing up, always make sure to not be distracted. Avoid using or looking at your phone, and give driving your full attention. 

Other Good Safety Practices

Along with the six S’s, there are other practices that are useful and necessary to back up safely in certain circumstances. These can include but are not limited to:

• Using a driver assistance backup camera
• Honking your horn as you back up
• Doing a pre-shift inspection to make sure the backup alarm is working (for large construction vehicles such as aerial lifts or bulldozers)
• Looking into the rearview mirror as well as the side view mirrors. 

The type of vehicle you drive may have different rules or procedures for backing up safely. These six steps will help you to maneuver whatever vehicle you drive in reverse so that nobody gets hurt. 

Drivers Beware: Brain Fog Can Come On Fast

Brain Fog refers to medical symptoms that affect your ability to think clearly and quickly. Although it’s not a medical condition, brain fog can be brought on by certain conditions such as depression, anxiety, pregnancy, or chronic illnesses. 

Brain fog can happen to anyone at any time and can especially disorient drivers. Those who experience brain fog should not back up vehicles or operate them until they have taken time to recover from it. You may be experiencing brain fog if you:

• Forget things easily, such as tasks you need to do or steps you need to take to complete a task
• Take a long time to do simple tasks
• Feel tired or distracted when trying to focus on accomplishing everyday tasks
• Have difficulty planning ahead what you want or need to do 

Stopping Brain Fog As Soon As Possible

If you experience brain fog in any way, you are unfit to operate a vehicle. Instead, step back and act fast to recover from it. Some of the effective ways you can combat and recover from brain fog include:

• Take breaks from electronic devices such as phones and computer screens
• Reduce stress by getting help and thinking positively
• Change your diet to be healthier
• Get 7-8 hours of sleep every day and avoid staying up too late
• Exercise regularly 
• Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drinking coffee late in the day

Here at Safety Provisions, Inc we offer the best safety training program on the market today. Check out our courses and let us know if we can help with any of your safety training needs.