Working the Course - SAFETY

[washburn]

Someone PM'd me a couple observations while at the Novice School. I thought it was worth repeating here as a reminder about good course working, especially with MOWOG 1 and 2 coming up

"1. Observed 2 course workers chatting with each other (pretty much their whole shift) with their backs turned away from the cars approaching them. This was so bad that the corner captain had to notify them that there was a "downed" cone that had to be righted. I approached these two individuals and reminded them to pay attention to the oncoming cars for their own safety and definitely got a negative response from them even though they said "okaaaaay".
2. Workers bunching together and walking to pickup cones as though they were strolling in a park. I actually saw one of the instructors trying to correct this behavior and the instructor seemed to get the same reaction I got :)
3. Red Flag waving needs to be vigorous, directed and leaves no doubt to the driver of the incoming vehicle that there is a need to stop. I saw this type of flag waving and talked to the worker and got a very positive response and thanks :)"

This relates to safety, and we will have lots of new folks, so I thought it was worth posting. I didn't go into it like I usually do at the Novice school, so here's a couple more tips I should have covered:

1) Never turn your back on a car
2) Always take a quick look down stream as a car enters your area...looking for any dangerous things like stalled cars or workers on course that might need a red flag.
3) Don't bunch up...spread out....makes running shorter too!
4) No cell phones, no sitting on course, no chairs, ...
5) Do not watch the car go by...watch the cones as the car passes. They get wiggled sometimes and you will not see it if you're watching the car.
6) When stopping a car...make yourself seen. Don;t get in front of them, but get closer. It's hard to get the attention of someone on a run.
7) No camera's are allowed for course workers. Photographers can take shots on course, but only with a designated spotter right there with them, and they cannot be working the course.

There...should have covered that better before.

[asujosh1]

Thanks for covering this, I saw some pretty scary things on course this weekend.

One thing to add that should be covered:

If you are on course replacing a cone and the next car is fast approaching, do NOT try to get back to the flag station by running across the track, get away from the driving area so as not to get run over or ruin someone's run.

[fuya_inc]

Thanks Pat. Now if everybody that drives in an event reads the forum.

I too observed several issues just by sitting on the sidelines spectating. Mostly hesitation. Some just clearly didn't respect/fear the position of cone picker.

If everybody knows how to be safe without hesitation we could shave time off the regular event intervals.

Should I run now, no wait, look first and flag right?, walk, wait is that car coming too fast, nah I can make it, run run run, ok got it in place, phew, time stroll back in the least direct path off the course, ahh crap the car slowed:verymad:, no big deal right, hey nice rims...

I had time to provide commentary to what I thought was going through their heads at that time.

[ricksellner]

Guilty as charged I have missed cones before too. It's part of the game. I've been doing this for 16+ years now and I'm getting older and slower. My eye sight is going downhill fast.(no smart ass remarks I know what your thinking HeHe) So I think it will be best if I retire from cone duty and find something I'm good at like sitting down somewhere.HeHe

[JDF]

I was the starter during my working sessions - first time ever trying to work the radio wthout interfering with the other communications and get the cars staged and off without delay - My main focus was on sending the cars off when the previous car hit the appropriate spot on the course to avoid delays...

Sadly, I sent out a car without seeing that people were still shagging cones in the slalom. I was immediately informed of this mistake and was both appalled and embarassed. However, for the rest of the event, my focus expanded to make sure that I looked at the WHOLE course before sending out cars... I appreciated the input (as I am sure the course workers did as well) and it just reinforces that we should all provide feedback to each other about safety... especially to those of us who are new...

Don't assume that we know what we are doing and get the input out quickly!

Best,

John Foley

[queenpdog]

May I offer some suggestions / observations as a total newbie? I mean no disrespect, these are just some ideas from someone trying to learn the ropes.

1. As Pat mentioned, some of this should probably be covered in the Novice classroom, or out on course. I suppose the weather wasn't really conducive, but I would suggest that someone actually demonstrate to the group what the correct way is to get a cone replaced. A lot of it may seem like common sense, but no everyone thinks of things in the same way. Bottom line is show people how important it is to do this job safely and with a high amount of attention and hustle. I didn't get that sense from the classroom session, and in the chaos of the event and the rain we never really talked about it on Sunday.

2. There seems to be a sort of running joke about "picking cones as punishment" or "penance" for something done wrong. or something you make the newbies do. From the standpoint of safely running an event, this job seems like one of the most important roles on the course. Perhaps it would send a better message to the new folks (like me), if there was more importance / respect given to this task.

Again, I don't want to stir the pot but I think it would help to look at this situation from a different perspective. I, for one, hear the message loud and clear and will make sure to pass it along to other newcomers that this is a serious job that must be given full attention. Thanks again everyone for an amazing weekend. It was a blast!

[ljibis]

Lots of good info, thanks Pat. I'll add my semi-newbie comments to the pile...

As the starter during my work shift on Sunday, I observed a lot of these behaviors too. It was wet and a lot of cones were getting hit, and some corners were just not covered very well. I didn't mind slowing down the grid and holding cars for safety, that always comes first,, but a lot of times I felt like I was holding cars up because of lollygagging on the course. Not necessary.

I think that the eventmasters this year should make a point to cover Pat's points during the drivers meetings at each event. Shagging cones is not punishment, it's just part of the hobby, but there should be some expectations on how corners are covered and cones replaced.

The radio calls also seemed to be a bit of an issue on Sunday...hopefully Shane will chime in here on that. We all just need to be clear on radio checks, cone calls, what a DNF means, and what a red flag means.

An eventmaster may sound like a jerk hounding people on this, but it is a safety issue and contributes to the quality of the event for everyone. We're all adults, right?

[austinpike]

I think that the eventmasters this year should make a point to cover Pat's points during the drivers meetings at each event. Shagging cones is not punishment... +1. Cone picking should not be treated as the assignment leftover after everything else is filled. Definitely worth calling out at the drivers meeting that this is a position where you need to be on top of things. Granted anyone can miss one after swiveling your head from left to right 120 times in a row.

[asujosh1]

Something else to note, you are not required to stand near the green cone. If you see a section of the course that is getting beat down and you are spending a lot of time there, and if there are enough people at your corner, position yourself at a safe location near those cones so that you can shag them and get out of the way in the most efficient manner possible.

[DaveBahl]

This goes to "ALL"...the absolute BEST place to learn the track is on the course, picking cones, this should NOT be viewed as "punishment" or newbie "person" on course, think of it this way, "YOU GET A CLOSE UP VIEW OF ALL THE CARS, FIND THE FASTER CARS, SEE THE LINES THEY TAKE, WHERE THEY BREAK, GAS, TURN AND SUCH" you can learn SO much out there. Events that "I" don't have to "work the course" you will see me (and others) out there, watching the lines, seeing how "others" are driving the track. By all means, "shagging cones" is a GREAT LEARNING AREA!!!

Bring water, smokes, snacks, watch the lines, cones, cars, tires, birds, snakes, sunburn... OK, I'll quit there... OK, watch for "GOFFY GUYS" too.

[nm+]

This isn't safety, but don't use the red flag to point. I've started to slow down once or twice when I see that being pointed thinking it is being unfurled.


Something else to note, you are not required to stand near the green cone. If you see a section of the course that is getting beat down and you are spending a lot of time there, and if there are enough people at your corner, position yourself at a safe location near those cones so that you can shag them and get out of the way in the most efficient manner possible.
The green cone has been hit by a car before.

Picking up cones is one of the best ways to learn how to drive a course.

[JCN]

Bring water, smokes, snacks, watch the lines, cones, cars, tires, birds, snakes, sunburn... OK, I'll quit there... OK, watch for "GOFFY GUYS" too.

Skip the smokes, remember the sunblock. :rockon

I pretty much exclusively picked cones all last year. Was a great way to learn the course and see where people took things too hot or got pinched by a downhill, decreasing slalom, etc.

[nm+]

skip the smokes, remember the sunblock. :rockon

lip balm

[marks_lude]

I pretty much exclusively picked cones all last year. Was a great way to learn the course and see where people took things too hot or got pinched by a downhill, decreasing slalom, etc.
Being the lazy "one time course walker" that I am, I often realize when I missed that a slalom was decreasing when I watch every other car cone the last few while I'm working. :lol:

Or if I run first, thats me coning the slalom!

[washburn]

May I offer some suggestions / observations as a total newbie? I mean no disrespect, these are just some ideas from someone trying to learn the ropes.

Absolutely none taken....I told you all that I wanted comments good and bad. After thinking about it more, and reading the great comments, I need to take responsibility here. I usually cover this in more detail, both in class and on Sunday morning, and I didn't for some reason. That will be fixed.

Based on these comments, there will more emphasis placed on this for next years class. Keep a couple things in mind:

1) Novice school is the place to mess up! That's why we do it. Do not feel too bad if you made some mistakes, or didn't quite know what to do...this is *why* we hold the class. :) None of this counted, but I think you all learned a lot.
2) Course working is NOT some low rung job, not sure where it got to be that way. It is just as important as *any* job. We can't do this without everyone. Dave brings up a point I was going to...getting to see the cars up close and watch what everyone is doing is a great learning tool. When at Nationals, I like to work the course before I compete for that reason.
3) Course working and cone calls are always covered in the drivers meetings. We should have gone through that Sunday morning just like any other event. We will next year.
4) I'm glad you did not get offended when the occasional "shortness" comes across on the radio. Everyone cares a lot about running things right, and that sometimes comes through. We've learned that running things tight and right makes more fun for everyone in the long run.
5) Don't sweat it too much. We're here for fun, and we know it takes time for everyone to learn...we need to remember that. As long as we help each other out, it's all good.

I'm sorry if some of you felt a little lacking in information on the course working area. The right information and attitude has to come from those you rely on to "show you the ropes". We will do this better next year.

[Evan]

Great information for everybody in the sport.

We had an awesome time at the event thanks to everybody.
I made sure my son worked as a cone picker to learn more about the course and how to drive it. He also got a mandatory safety briefing before going out there since I enjoy his company :)

[evilpope2001]

Course workers are what keep our events running on time! They are important! That being said, if you don't like to shag cones get there early and sign up for something else. You think your the only one who doesn't like chasing cones?

[washburn]

As a follow up, I don't recall seeing any issues at all this weekend due to course working. May have been a couple reruns due to lots of cones being hit, but you better expect that at any event...it's part of the game. Great job to all the people who worked the course...you could tell everyone took it seriously. And hopefully had fun!!

[MustGoFaster]

There was one guy on his phone out there. He was in a relatively safe spot, no cars coming directly at him. He was even paying enough attention to shag a cone while on the phone. But when he got on it the second time, I gave him a friendly reminder, "get off the phone", yelled from about 175 feet away. :D

[evilpope2001]

To all:
Do yourself a favor when course working. leave all distractions back at your car. You should not be doing anything other than watching cones and cars when working the course.

[nm+]

There was one guy on his phone out there. He was in a relatively safe spot, no cars coming directly at him. He was even paying enough attention to shag a cone while on the phone. But when he got on it the second time, I gave him a friendly reminder, "get off the phone", yelled from about 175 feet away. :D
Am I the only person who turns off and stashes his phone the whole day? I just plan to be incommunicado the whole day. This is easier than you think.