A flagger is a person who provides temporary traffic control when permanent traffic controls (signs, signals, and barricades) do not provide the necessary protection for operations on highways or streets. Because flaggers are responsible for public safety and make more public contacts than any other highway worker, they should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Sense of responsibility for safety of public and workers;
- Adequately trained in safe traffic control practices;
- Average or higher intelligence;
- Good physical condition, including sight and hearing;
- Mental alertness and ability to react in an emergency;
- Courteous but a firm manner; and
- Neat appearance.
29 CFR 1926.201 requires that flaggers conform to the signaling methods found in Part VI of either the 1988 Edition of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), with 1993 revisions (Revision 3) or the Millennium Edition of the FHWA MUTCD (Millennium Edition). This information is found in the table below:
Device - Sign Paddle
Signal - To stop traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and extend the STOP sign paddle in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The free arm is raised with the palm of the hand toward approaching traffic.
Device - Sign Paddle
Signal - To direct stopped traffic to proceed
Method - The flagger shall face traffic with the SLOW paddle held in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The flagger motions with the free hand for traffic to proceed.
Device - Sigh Paddle
Signal - To alert or slow traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic with the SLOW sign paddle held in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body.
Device - Flag
Signal - To stop traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and extend the flag staff horizontally across the traffic lane in a stationary position so the full area of the flag is visible hanging below the staff. The free arm is raised with the palm of the hand toward approaching traffic.
Device - Flag
Signal - To direct stopped traffic to proceed
Method - The flagger shall stand parallel to the traffic movement and with flag and arm lowered from view of the driver, motion with the free hand for traffic to proceed. Flags shall not be used to signal traffic to proceed.
Device - Flag
Signal - To alert or slow traffic
Method - The flagger shall face traffic and slowly wave the flag in a sweeping motion of the extended arm from shoulder level to straight down without raising the arm above a horizontal position.
Employee training Sections 1926.200-.202 do not contain training requirements. However, §1926.21 requires employers to instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his/her work environment to control or eliminate any hazards or other exposure to illness or injury.
This may include training flaggers in hand-signaling, warning clothing and other life-saving equipment, the flagger’s role and location, traffic patterns, heavy equipment operations, communication methods and alarms, signs, channelizing devices (i.e., cones and barricades), working next to traffic and equipment, escape routes, hazards (i.e., vehicles, equipment, carbon monoxide, asphalt fumes, extreme heat/cold, rain and fog, darkness), and being as visible as possible.
Training tips Dress as a flagger. You may want to add white trousers or coveralls, a reflectorized hard hat, clothing for weather conditions, yellow rain gear, special equipment (i.e., radio, hard hat mounted mirror, and motion detectors), and/or the sign paddle, flag, and/or light normally used by your flaggers.
Demonstrate the hand signals and the proper use of sign paddles, flags, and lights. Have trainees practice. Obtain a copy of Part VI of the MUTCD to train employees on proper flagging. Remind them of the danger of vehicles approaching from behind and the need for a spotter, a motion detector, alarm, or hard hat mounted mirror. Demonstrate these devices. Use the jobsite as a training ground, if possible.
Where to go for more information
- 29 CFR 1926, Subpart G—Signs, signals, & barricades.
- Part VI of either the 1988 Edition of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), with 1993 revisions (Revision 3) or the Millennium Edition of the FHWA MUTCD (Millennium Edition).
This information was provided by: Assurance Agency
