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Construction
work can, by its nature, be inherently dangerous. But with proper equipment,
planning, and procedures, much of the danger can be eliminated. Here in New
York City, a particularly important part of construction site safety is
flagging traffic. Motor accidents on construction sites have the potential to
affect numerous groups – motorists, pedestrians, fellow workers, and traffic
flaggers themselves. Follow these tips to be a successful flagger:

Body Language
is Everything  

In order
to be a successful flagger, you must hone your non-verbal communication skills.
Many times, multiple flaggers may be directing traffic in different directions,
so it’s imperative to know the signs and signals for communicating with your
fellow co-workers, drivers, and pedestrians. Flaggers should be particularly
cognizant of all signaling devices – including regulation flags, traffic signs,
and paddles – so that drivers know when to slow down, stop, or go.

Stay
Visible

Now is NOT
the time to blend in. As a flagger, it’s imperative that you can be seen by
motorists at all times, even from a distance. The further away a vehicle is
when its driver sees you, the more time the driver has to react to changes in
signs and traffic patterns. Stock up on high-visibility clothing, including
t-shirts, pants, and safety vests. As the weather gets colder, make sure you
have a high-visibility jacket as well.

Be a
Defensive Flagger

The key
rule of defensive driving is to depend on yourself, not other drivers, to do
the right thing. As a flagger, you should have the same mentality towards
vehicles. Even if you’re using all of the correct flags and signals, always
assume that a driver may be distracted. If you see a driver swerving or not
looking at the road, be sure to have an escape route in the event of an
emergency. You need to protect yourself before it escalates into a dangerous
situation where your life is on the line.

Remain Alert
and Aware

Know
yourself: Are you a highly aware person? If you are the type of person who can
pay close attention to multiple things at once, flagging will come far more
naturally than if you get easily distracted. Make sure to self-reflect on your
personality traits. When you’re on the job, always remain alert to all
situations around you, including traffic, pedestrians, and your co-workers.
Most importantly, have your eyes on moving vehicles at all times – and never,
ever turn your back to oncoming traffic. 

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Skills NY construction
job and training opportunities by checking out our Job
Seekers page.