Race walking is one of those events that has to be judged. And believe you me, judging is a constant cause of consternation among walkers, official and judges alike!
First of all in New Zealand, a judge is presented with a judging sheet the distinguishes between a warning and a caution. Now in my book, these words are pretty well synonymous. However, in race walking they mean different things. A caution is not as serious and a warning. A caution is given by individual judges to the walker concerned that he or she is either lifting (both feet seen as visibly off the ground - wavy yellow paddle) or bending the knee (right angle yellow paddle).
A walker could be potentially cautioned once by every judge to no ill effects. Each judge can caution each athlete only once for an offence.
A warning is a different affair. The judge does not warn the athlete, but rather sends a red card to the chief judge. This is the judge's "proposal for a disqualification". These proposals are then marked on a board at the start/finish line for each lap for the walker to plainly see. These then constitute a warning. Once three of these reds are up on the board, the athlete will be disqualified. The chief judge will show them a red paddle.
Each judge must also record all her/his determinations on a judging sheet which is given to the chief judge after the event.
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