To this end many efforts have been made over the years to reduce the risk involved with heavy vehicle movements around workers & the workplace, with particular attention given to reversing manoeuvres.

Some of the controls that have contributed to improved safety include:

• Implementation of Separate Vehicle & Pedestrian
• Zones
• Reversing Sensors & Cameras
• External Audible Reversing Beepers
• Flashing Lights

Investigations into the issue of reversing vehicle safety have found that whilst reversing sensors and cameras provide an additional measure of driver awareness, these systems have proven not to be the complete answer to the problem.

One Government Health and Safety advisor recently said:

“Fatalities and serious injuries due to reversing plant and vehicles have been identified as currently the highest safety risk on road construction works. It is evident around the world that the traditional controls of reversing alarms and flashing lights are not entirely effective because they are usually present when the incidents occur and any control which relies significantly on administrative or behavioural controls are the lowest in the hierarchy of controls. ”

The Reverse Smart system is only powered on once a vehicle is placed in reverse gear. When the systems radar sensors detect an object or worker that is within the danger zone behind the vehicle, the unit will immediately and automatically activate the vehicles brakes – without any driver input required.

This device is a very simple, but technologically advanced system, which actively protects the vehicle and personnel working at the rear of the vehicle, and does all of this without interfering with the vehicles intended daily operation.