Plant and Vehicle Visibility at Night

Plant and vehicles operating at night have significantly reduced visibility, increasing collision risk.
All site plant must have functioning lights including headlights, tail lights, and rotating beacons.
Reversing cameras and proximity sensors are especially important in low-light conditions.
Pedestrian workers in dark areas must wear retroreflective high-visibility clothing to remain visible.
Site lighting must illuminate haul roads, junctions, loading areas, and pedestrian crossing points.
Glare from poorly positioned work lights can temporarily blind plant operators and reduce their vision.
Fog, mist, and rain during night shifts further reduce visibility beyond the normal darkness challenges.
Banksmen must carry illuminated wands or high-visibility paddles to be seen by plant operators.
Speed limits on site should be reduced during night operations to compensate for reduced visibility.
Pre-use checks must include verification that all lights and visibility aids are working correctly.

Pedestrian strikes	Reduced visibility at night makes pedestrians invisible to plant operators, causing fatal collisions.
Plant collisions	Plant-to-plant and plant-to-vehicle collisions increase dramatically when operating in darkness.
Stopping distance	Limited visibility reduces the distance at which hazards can be seen, requiring lower speeds and better lighting.

Do

Don't

Check all plant lights, beacons, cameras, and sensors during the pre-use inspection
Wear retroreflective high-visibility clothing that meets EN ISO 20471 Class 3
Ensure site lighting covers haul roads, junctions, and pedestrian crossing points
Use illuminated wands or hi-vis paddles when acting as a banksman at night
Reduce site speed limits for night operations to account for reduced visibility
Position work lights to illuminate the task without creating glare for operators
Use reversing cameras and alarms on all plant operating during hours of darkness
Brief the night shift on specific visibility hazards and enhanced control measures
Report any failed plant lights, broken site lights, or dark areas on the route
Increase the use of banksmen at junctions and blind spots during night shifts

DON'T operate plant at night with any failed headlights, tail lights, or beacons
DON'T walk on haul roads at night without retroreflective high-visibility clothing
DON'T position work lights where they create glare that blinds operators or drivers
DON'T operate at daytime speed limits during night shifts — reduce speed appropriately
DON'T assume plant operators can see you in the dark — make yourself visible
DON'T work in unlit areas of the site without requesting temporary lighting first
DON'T act as a banksman at night without an illuminated wand or hi-vis paddle
DON'T ignore fog, mist, or heavy rain — further reduce speeds or stop operations
DON'T leave broken site lighting unreported — dark zones create hidden collision risks
DON'T drive plant into areas where the lighting has failed until repairs are made

See also: Night Working Safety Awareness | Plant and Pedestrian Segregation

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