For many years, flags have been used as a form of nonverbal communication. Flagger jobs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Flaggers assist in the direction of people and equipment in a variety of situations, including construction sites, boats, high-traffic areas, and even major racing events.
Because there are so many construction projects all over the world, construction flaggers are one of the most common types of flagger jobs. These are the men and women who, in the past, were seen waving bright orange flags and directing traffic around a construction site. These flaggers use their strong communication skills to get instructions from supervisors and coworkers over the radio. Because they have limited lines of sight, they also direct construction machinery such as cranes and bulldozers. Although this job typically does not necessitate any special education, many flaggers are required to attend flagger certification classes for safety reasons.
Another popular type of flagger job is that of a police officer. These are usually police officers who have been trained in all aspects of law enforcement. The majority of the time, the job entails safely moving pedestrians and traffic around a crime scene while an investigation is underway. These flaggers are frequently seen near car accidents, and they use their police training to direct traffic so that other officers, firefighters, and ambulance workers can enter the area and perform their duties without being hindered.
One of the most common types of flagger jobs is maritime flagging. A series of multi-colored and multi-symbolized flags have been in use for centuries, long before boats had radios, to aid communication at sea. Because it’s often difficult to tell what radio frequency a nearship is using, both military and civilian ships still use these methods. Because there are so many flags and movement patterns to convey a message, this type of flagging job necessitates extensive training.
Above race tracks all over the world, one of the more uncommon flagger jobs can be found. During a race, the flagger communicates important messages to race car drivers. Race flags are required to signal the start of a race, to slow down for an accident, to stop completely, to allow faster traffic to pass, and to signal the end of a race. These flaggers are an important part of on-track safety at all levels, from small dirt tracks to major stock car and open-wheel racing events. There are no educational requirements, but the flagger must be familiar with all of the rules of the racing association.