That flagger from the highway job made me rethink my whole approach

Standing out there on the I-35 bridge project last month, I heard one of the flaggers tell a rookie to "watch the load, not the operator." It hit me different. We spend so much time trying to sync with the hand signals and radio chatter that we forget the load itself tells you everything. Since then I've been focusing purely on where that steel beam is going and how it's swinging. Has anyone else had a random side comment from a ground crew guy totally change how you run your picks?

2 comments

2 Comments

josephf102d ago

Wait, does that mean the rookie flagger is the one who really needs to watch the load?

vera_roberts2d ago

Oh man, you're absolutely right. Honestly, the rookie flagger is the one who needs eyes in the back of their head, not just on the load! Tbh, I remember my first week flagging and I was so focused on the load I almost walked right into a pothole. Ngl, you learn real quick that watching the load is only half the battle, especially if you're new and every vehicle looks like it's out to get you. It's a tough gig for sure, but you've gotta have all those escape routes memorized before you even pick up the flag.