Howdy,
I went over and checked out that forum that someone posted about what
happened. Another "course worker tip" that I thought of while I was
reading that...
You might not have time to go get the cone, run to the spot it belongs,
put it down, and get outta the way before the next car comes along. There
are at least two ways to deal with this...
First, you get help. One worker runs to get the cone, another worker
runs out to the spot it goes and you toss the cone to them. This can work
even better if the 2nd worker takes a cone out with them and you just
bring the hit cone back in.
A second technigue is to go get the cone, get the heck outta the way and
let the next car past, then put the cone back. This has the downside that
the course isn't correct for the next car, but the upside is that you
aren't dead.
Under no circumstances should you push it getting the cone back in place.
Having cars overlapping too fast for you to get the cones back before the
other car comes should be an inefficency problem _only_, not a safety
problem. *You* are responsible for your safety on course. Don't assume
that the course designer put the worker stations such that you can get
that cone back before the next car comes along. That's the goal, of
course, but sometimes it can't happen.
Similar thinking applies to any situation where you need to take more time
to put the cone back than you'd particularly like to. For instance, the
chalk boxes around frequently hit cones will often start to disappear.
If you can't find the box, don't guess. Keep the cone, getting outta the
way of cars as they come, until you can find the box. If you can't find
it after a car or two, have the starter hold the start, find it, and
_re-line the box_ if needed.
Again, all MHO.
Mark
On Thu, 25 Oct 2001, Jim Ochi wrote:
> Good suggestions! I'll add a few...
>
> #9, When you get to your worker station, be sure to map out where the
> course goes, and where the cars will be running. This is especially
> important if the course isn't lined, or if it's a gated course, or if
> you're working a place where you can't line the course, like a slalom.
>
> #10, Spot the places where you can safely stand - these aren't just
> anywhere outside the chalk lines! Think to yourself, "If I were a car out
> of control, where would I go spinning off to?" Also, map out your escape
> routes, so if a car comes spinning towards you, you know where to
> go. Discuss these with your coworkers, so if you have to run, you don't
> end up doing a Keystone Kops routine and run into each other.
>
> #11, When you get to your worker station, check to make sure that all the
> cones are in their boxes, and you know where the cones are supposed to
> go. Saves some time resetting cones if you don't have to spend a long time
> trying to find the box.
>
> #12, Be aware of what's happening at the next worker station or two
> downstream - if they run into difficulties (like a car spins in their area,
> or they have workers running all over the course resetting cones), you're
> the one who is in
> the best position to red flag the oncoming car.
>
> #13, The numbered worker station signs are meant to show what areas need to
> be covered, and the areas of responsibility. If there are cones in that
> area that are constantly hit, and it's safe to do so, move closer to those
> cones instead of gathering around the sign. If the course runs on both
> sides of the station and you have enough workers, split into multiple
> groups so you can cover each side of the course.
>
> #14, If you need to use the red flag, USE it. Don't just daintily flick it
> at the car going by - wave it like a FREAK! Like you're trying to signal
> aliens; like you're in the middle of a bunch of pissed-off bees. There
> should be no doubt in anyone's mind that you red-flagged someone.
>
> #15, Talk to the people assigned to your station. If you're working with
> someone you don't know, chat with them to get a feel for how much
> experience they have working the course. If you see them doing something
> that you aren't comfortable with, like getting distracted, or not holding
> the red flag, talk to them about it. Or, switch jobs with them.
>
> That's all I can think of for now - anyone else?
>
> Jim
>
> At 01:04 PM 10/24/2001 -0400, Mark J. Andy wrote:
> >Howdy,
> >
> >On Wed, 24 Oct 2001, Dennis Hale wrote:
> > > The details are less important than the lessons.
> >
> >I think that's totally valid.
> >
> >In fact, I'll offer up a few things I think can help to keep you safe when
> >working the course. These things apply all the time and are unreleated to
> >anything I know about this past weekend at GGF. And, since I keep
> >forgetting to say this, its all IMO.
> >
> >#1, never ever turn your back to a moving car in your area. Remember
> >you're there to _work the course_, not to pay attention to a friend or try
> >to figure out how to drive the course.
> >
> >#2, try and always be with another worker wherever you're standing. Two
> >sets of eyes are better than one. When I used to work corners on a road
> >race circuit, the flagger always had someone to watch upstream who's main
> >job was to pull the flagger down if all hell broke loose (the flagger
> >watches downstream for incidents in the corner). On an autox course the
> >cars are coming slow enough that you can usually follow the car through
> >your area before another car comes along, but the principle still applies.
> >
> >#3, leave the red flag with the person with the radio. If someone calls
> >for a red flag over the radio, the radio person will be the best able to
> >respond quickly. That person also shouldn't be running for cones if you
> >can help it, so they can concentrate on their job (and so control won't
> >get broken-up radio reports).
> >
> >#4, and this should be obvious, all distracting things get left in the
> >pits. cell phones, pagers, etc.
> >
> >#5, while I believe that on an autox course there's almost never a reason
> >to not have enough time to get a cone back in place if you're paying
> >attention, DON'T PUSH IT! That cone being outta place is not the end of
> >the world. You getting hit _is_. We've all had folks that came through
> >and destroyed half the course. Do what you can, then get the heck outta
> >the way.
> >
> >#6, RUN to put the cone(s) back. If you can't run, ask for another work
> >assignment, work the radio/flag, etc.
> >
> >#7, after you put the cone back, DON'T turn your back to the approaching
> >car. Look over your shoulder for cars coming before you grab for the
> >cone, again before you put it back in the box, again after its in the box,
> >and again on your way back to home. DO NOT depend on your ears. If, as
> >normally happens, a car comes before you can get back home, turn around
> >and jog backwards ready to take evasive action.
> >
> >#8, assume that the drivers can't see you. In many cases its 100% true.
> >Their attention is focused on what they're planning on doing. Unless
> >you're in their sight path (and you've got no idea what that sight path
> >is), you're invisible. In fact, if you _are_ in their sight path, chances
> >are you should move so that they can see the course :-)
> >
> >That's all I can think of right now. Anyone else?
> >
> >We used to have a "corner workers handbook" back when I did the roadrace
> >stuff. Maybe something similar for autox course working would be a good
> >idea?
> >
> >Mark
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