A flagman is someone who signals with a flag. They make use of flags of different colours; but mostly two colours are more popular, i.e, Red – For Stop and Green – For Go.
He is a personality which we cannot do without especially in the road construction work. They have a wide range of duties.
Duties Of A Flagman
- Help vehicles move safely in their work areas, and help the drivers & operators avoid hazards and the potential of hitting people and other equipment.
- They are another set of eyes to ensure that work goes on safely.
- Controlling the Operation of Vehicles on Site, and ensure safe parking.
- Flagman is also required to control the movement of the following vehicles on site:
• Excavator, Tipper Truck, JCB, Grader, Bulldozer, Water / Diesel Tanker, Delivery Trucks, Bobcat
• Safe distance from rotating equipment & excavation edges, giving Signals.
Contact with moving equipment being one of the major cause of fatality on site; it makes more sense to say that a flagman is invaluable on site, since they can help mitigate the risk of contact with moving equipment and vehicles.
Dangers Flagmen Are Exposed To
Flagmen are exposed to several dangers due to their proximity to moving traffic and construction activities. Some of the dangers a flagman may face include:
1. Traffic Hazards: Being in close proximity to moving vehicles poses a significant danger. Flagmen are at risk of being struck by passing vehicles if drivers fail to obey traffic signals or are not attentive.
2. Struck-By Accidents: Flagmen are at risk of being struck by construction equipment or vehicles operating in the work zone. This risk is particularly high when heavy machinery is maneuvering.
3. Distracted Drivers: Drivers who are distracted, using mobile devices, or not paying attention to road signs may pose a threat to flagmen. Distracted driving can lead to delayed responses to flag signals.
4. Weather Conditions: Flagmen work outdoors and are exposed to various weather conditions. Adverse weather, such as rain, snow, or extreme temperatures, can create additional hazards and discomfort.
5. Visibility Issues: Poor visibility due to low light conditions, fog, or other factors can make it challenging for flagmen to be seen by drivers, increasing the risk of accidents.
6. Construction Debris: Flying debris or materials from construction activities may pose a danger to flagmen, especially if proper safety measures are not in place.
7. Noise and Distractions: Construction sites can be noisy, and flagmen must remain focused on directing traffic. Noise and other distractions can make it difficult for flagmen to communicate effectively.
8. Inadequate Training: Insufficient training in traffic management and safety procedures may increase the risk of flagmen not being fully aware of potential hazards or not knowing how to respond to emergencies.
9. Fatigue: Long hours on the job, especially in challenging weather conditions, can lead to fatigue, reducing a flagman’s ability to stay alert and make quick decisions.
10. Lack of Respect from Drivers: Some drivers may disregard flagmen’s signals or exhibit aggressive behavior, posing a danger to flagmen who are trying to control traffic flow.
To mitigate these risks, flagmen should receive thorough training on traffic control procedures and safety measures. Additionally, proper signage, barricades, high-visibility clothing, and communication tools can enhance the safety of flagmen on the job. Regular safety briefings, situational awareness, and collaboration with other workers on the construction site are also crucial for minimizing the dangers faced by flagmen.
Flagman Training
Some organization who do not understand the important of a flagman training do allot the responsibility of a flag man to anyone without training. I have seen a situation where the position of a flagman is given out as a community slot. Anyone brought in by the community representative is immediately given a flag to start work without any form of induction nor training.
This is an invitation to threat. A flagman who do not understand his job specification and the risk he is involved in cannot understand the risk others he is supposed to protect are exposed to; hence he cannot do the job.
This is why it is important to ensure that our flagmen are properly trained. Flagman training is so invaluable.
I have attached a PDF copy of a flagman training material below.
You will just need to tweet this article to download the training material.
Do not miss to download this material as it will keep your flagmen up to speed in delivering on their responsibilities.
Download through the link flagging_handbook.
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