Not all construction projects can be completed without some form of interaction with the general public. In fact, it’s very rare that they do—especially during roadwork projects. For these situations, flaggers are often hired to act as the buffer between the passing drivers and the on-duty workers. Still, many lack the understanding of what these professionals do and how vital finding the right flagger is to the project as a whole. This is the importance of having a construction site flagger on the job and what they offer to the rest of the operation.
Promotes Safer Driving Practices
When roadwork construction zones are established, it’s very easy for passing drivers to ignore the signs and continue on at the same speed. Not only is this dangerous to the workers on the site, but it is also dangerous for the driver if they accidentally hit a protection barrier. A flagger’s primary responsibility is to maximize work zone safety by standing out in the line of traffic in order to direct cars properly. This puts them in greater danger but still increases the chances that drivers will comply with their directions.
Proper Response To Emergencies
Flaggers are also trained in how to most appropriately respond to emergencies on a job site. No matter how many precautions are taken to avoid an incident, the likelihood of them occurring is never zero. To limit the injuries and casualties involved in an accident, part of the flagger’s job is to halt traffic and call authorities immediately.
Improves Work Efficiency
With workers safer overall when a flagger is present, they’re more likely to feel secure in their working environment and, therefore, get more done. When individuals feel protected, it’s easier for them to stay focused on work tasks. This increases their comfort on the site and allows them to perform their roles with a clear mind. Over time, this can greatly speed up the process and help them finish projects significantly sooner.
Preserves Worksite Conditions
The importance of having a construction site flagger is clear as well when you take into account how much they save a company on equipment. When accidents occur, millions of dollars in machinery and safety equipment can be damaged as a result. This leaves the company at an overall loss that they may have trouble recovering from once they replace everything that was destroyed. Just in directing traffic through the worksite, flaggers exponentially reduce the likelihood of accidents like these occurring. This preserves the equipment for continual use.
