§294 3.2.1.　運転姿勢

The requirement set out in section 3.2.1 is complementary to the general requirements relating to operating positions and seating set out in sections 1.1.7 and 1.1.8.

The first paragraph of section 3.2.1 deals with visibility from the driving position. The driver must have permanent control of the movements of the machinery.

Wherever possible, the machinery must be designed and constructed so that the driver has adequate direct vision of the area around the machinery. In particular, the driver must be able to see whether there are persons near the machinery who may be at risk due to the operation or movement of the machinery – see §195: comments on the fifth paragraph of section 1.2.2. Means that may be used to improve direct visibility include, for example, elevating, tilting or reversible driving positions and cabs or alternative driving positions.

Where direct visibility is insufficient, in other words, where the driver's view of a person or an obstacle in the danger zone is liable to be obscured by parts of the machinery or by objects or materials carried by the machinery, to the extent that the driver may not be aware of their presence, appropriate devices to provide indirect vision must be fitted. Such devices include appropriate mirrors and closed circuit television (CCTV). The decision to fit devices to provide indirect vision and the choice, design and location of such devices must take account of ergonomic principles and of the constraints to which the driver is subject in the foreseeable conditions of use of the machinery, which will include that pedestrians and other machinery are likely to be in the vicinity at times. Factors to be considered, when choosing the type of device, will include, for example, likely use of the machinery at night or in poor lighting conditions, use on uneven ground, use in areas where pedestrians or other machinery may be at particular risk, such as where children are likely to be present or use involving frequent or prolonged reversing – see §181: comments on section 1.1.6.

Where there is residual risk of collisions with persons, machinery may be fitted with means to prevent such collisions such as, for example, pressure-sensitive, radar, infra-red or ultrasonic protective devices, to detect the presence of persons and stop the machinery or warn the driver before a collision occurs. However, such devices do not remove the requirement for direct or when not possible, indirect vision.

The second paragraph of section 3.2.1 concerns machinery where the driving position is close to the wheels or tracks. If the driving position is not completely enclosed and if there is not an adequate safety distance between the driving position and the wheels or tracks, it is necessary to fit guards to prevent inadvertent contact with these parts.

The third paragraph of section 3.2.1 requires machinery with a ride-on driver to be designed and constructed in such a way that a driver's cab may be fitted, unless the machinery is too small to fit a cab or the fitting of a cab would increase the risk or impair the functionality of the machinery. In such cases, other measures must be considered to protect the drivers such as, for example, seats with a protective canopy or remote control.

The requirement set out in the third paragraph of section 3.2.1 must be applied in conjunction with the requirements set out in section 1.1.7 relating to operating positions and section 3.5.3 relating to emissions of hazardous substances - see §182: comments on section 1.1.7 and §322: comments on section 3.5.3.

The second sentence of the third paragraph of section 3.2.1 requires a place to be provided in the driver's cab for the instructions needed for the driver. The instructions concerned are those relating to the safe operation of the machinery and to any inspection or maintenance operations to be carried out by the driver.