How should flaggers communicate to ensure clear instructions?

Flaggers play a crucial role in ensuring safety and efficiency in work zone traffic control. To achieve clear communication, the use of standardized signals and whistles is the most effective method. These signals are universally recognized within the industry, providing a consistent means of communication that is essential for conveying instructions to drivers and other workers.

Using standard signals minimizes the risk of misunderstandings that can arise from verbal commands, which may be influenced by noise or language barriers. The use of whistles also allows flaggers to communicate over distances and amidst the sound of traffic, ensuring their messages can be heard clearly. This established system of communication is integral in maintaining safety on work sites by providing immediate and unambiguous guidance to both vehicle operators and fellow workers.

While methods such as cell phones, verbal commands, or visual aids like maps can have their uses in specific contexts, they do not provide the same level of immediacy and clarity as using standardized signals and whistles in a dynamic environment where quick responses are essential.