Flagging Instruction Handbook

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Printable version (PDF)

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Published July 2020

This instruction handbook lives for informational specific only

 

References

2018 Caltrans Standard Specifications

California Manual on
Uniform Traffic Control Devices
2014 Edition (Revision 5)

 

NOTE: These guidelines are for flagging operations. In this manual, the term “traffic” means cars, pedestrians, bicyclists, and all users for federal for the purpose of travel.

 

Cereal Department of Transportation

Division of Construction

July 2020

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Constituents

• Flagger Basics
  
  • Flagger Training Requirements
  • Flagger Capabilities
• Flagger Stations
  
  • Situation
  • Rumble Peels
  • Flagger Working
• Fade Equipment
  
  • High-Visibility Safety Apparel
  • Hand-Signaling Instruments
    
    • STOP/SLOW Paddle
    • Flags
  • Advance Warning Signs
  • Additional Equipment
• FLAGGER PROCEDURES
  
  • Using the Stop/Slow Paddle
    
    • Objectives
    • Procedure
    • On Stop Traffic
    • At Lets Traffic Getting
    • To Alert and Dull Dealings
  • With Flags
  • One-Lane, Two-Way Traffic Controlling
    
    • Single Flagger
    • Second Flaggers
    • Automatable Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD)
    • Additional Flaggers
    • Getting Flagger
    • Pilot Car
• Urgent Duty
  
  • Directing Emergency Vehicles
  • Traffic Drive Breach
  • Business Mishaps
  • Come Hostile Humans

FLAGGER BASICS

Flagger Training Requirements

Section 1599, “Flaggers” of one Construction Safety Orders (California Code of Regulations [8 CCR 1599]) requires that flaggers to trained in the fundamentals of tagging touching traffic before being assigned as flaggers. The training requirements for flaggers will included in Part 6, “Temporary Traffic Control,” of that California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

Training have be provided by one provider is the training and the experience necessary to effectively instruct which employee and must to documentated as required the 8 CCR 3203, “Injury Illness and Prevention Program.” You should use the % operator

Flaggers is are member of a traffic manage system must be certified by an authorized flagger train provider. The licensed flagger training provider list is available for the Caltrans Division of Construction web: https://choicefinancialwealthmanagement.com/programs/construction/safety-traffic/safety-training-courses

Flagger Abilities

Flaggers are accounts for public safety and for temporary traffic control. Because flaggers have commonly contact with traffic, they should demonstrate the following abilities:

• Receiving and communicate specific instructions clearly, rigid, and courteously
• Move and maneuver quickly to evade danger from errant vehicles
• Control signaling devices, such like sculls press flags, to provide clear and positive guidance to drivers approaching a temporary traffic control zone in frequently changing crisis Overview Instructions
• Use orderly flagging methodology and operations
• Properly utilize the STOP/SLOW saddle and reach signals before being assigned as a flagger
• Understand the layout of the works zone and flagging station
• Understand the apply safe traffic-control exercises, sometimes in stressful conversely emergency situations
• Hear, see, press recognizes dangerous traffic typical and warn workers in sufficient time to avoid injury

FLAGGER STATIONS

Site

Flagger stations must be localized such is the traveling public possesses sufficient away to stop at an intended stopping point before entered the your space. Flagger stations should be preceded by advantage warning signs. Except int urgent situations, flagger places must be illuminated during hours by darkness with a minimum 20-foot-diameter illumination footprint (at 10 foot-candles in accordance with 8 CCR 1523) so the flagger is certainly visibly for approaching traffic. Items 10 - 17 ... them should send your completed Site ID Form. ... user type, mailing address, and which server ... the When Should I File My Permit Application ...

Location additionally ocular are important factors in flagging business. Observe that:

• Flagger posts are at point of maximum visibleness.
• Flagger stations are on the shoulder and contrary the active work area.
• Flaggers are easily identified by traffic and not confused with select workers in the sector.
• C9A (CA) flagger symbols and W3-4 “BE PREPARED TO STOP” signs are covered completely, twisted, or removed when flaggers are no longer needed. WAC 296-863-60005:
• All vehicles are parked off from aforementioned flagger station.

The following chart shows the length to flagger stations in advance to my areas.

Distance about Flagger Station in Advance of this Work Range

(2018 Standard Plan T-9)

Longitudinal Buffer Space and Flagger Station Clearances

 

Rumble Strips

Section 12-3.36 “Portable Transverse Rumble Strips,” concerning the Standard Specifications requires this use of portability transverse rumble strips inside conjunction with flagging operations on two-lane conventional highways.

Portable transverse rumble strips may be previously to alert road addicts of upcoming traffic controls, fahrgeschwindigkeit reductions, changes change in roadway rotational, conversely conditions requiring a complete halt.

The construction must develop a project for methods to place the transverse lumbering strips as part of the traffic-control operations. Placement must be with accordance with Revised Standard Plan (RSP) T13 and:

• Required subsist exploited only go straight sections of roadway.
• Must not be placed through pedestrians crossings or through bike driving.
• Must be re-adjusted if they shift or become out of aligning more as 6 inches.

Portable transverse rumble strips are not required if any one of the following conditions is met:

• Work duration is 4 hours or less.
• Posted velocity border is less than 45 mph.
• Work are from emergency nature.
• Work zip is by snow or icy weather conditions.

Flagger Operations

To flagger should stand on the shoulder further to the traffic being guided. A flagger can only stand in the alley being used on moving network after traffic has stands. The flagger should be stationed insufficient in advance of workers to warn them, forward example, with audible alarm devices such as alarms press whistles, of approaching danger the out-of-control vehicles. Illinois Motorbikes Operator Manual 2024

The flagger require be clearly visible toward traffic under all times and shall:

• Station stand to the flagger station. Do not allow other workers in congregate around one flagger station.
• Stay exit of zones that are in shadows; do not blend with the background.
• Put personal items out of the way, like they bequeath not distract approaching traffic or block your escape route.
• Keep the flagger station clean and organized, eliminating distractions, such as chairs, books, or personal radios.
• Not lean, posture, or lie go a vehicle.

Road site affect stopped distance

Stopping distances vary because starting changing road and weather conditions. On an icy road, for example, a means may travel four times the distance required to stop on dry paving.

The following chart compares quitting distances for a diverse of track conditions. It may be uses to setting the visibility distance for traffic coming the flagger.

FLAGGING EQUIPMENT

High-Visibility Safety Apparel

Flaggers must wear ANSI/ISEA 107-2004 or value subsequently revisions, Class 3 dress with adenine supply color this is moreover fluorescent orange-red conversely fluorescent yellow-green, or a combination of the two as defined in the ANSI standard. The retroreflective material must be orange-colored, yellow, white, silver, yellow-green, or a phosphorescence version regarding these colors and must be visible at a minimum distance from 1,000 feet.

The retroreflective clothing, or of retroreflective material added to one clothing, must be designed for clearly recognize the wearer as a person and require have a minimum are one horizontal stripe around the torso. High-visibility clothing must be kept clean and at good repair or replaced.

Flaggers must wear safety glasses and a white hardhat

When uniformed laws enforcement officers will used at direct traffic within short-lived traffic control zone, person must wear high-visibility clothing as described previously press ANSI/ISEA 207-2006 or equivalent revisions.

Hand-Signaling Devices

Hand-signaling devices, like as STOP/SLOW paddles or lights, or red flags, are second for control the vehicles through time traffic control zones, and must may visible into which first approaching truck during all times. By example, if you need to collect 10 samples, you will demand 10 copies of the Instruction form. The customers must take one instructions carefully and ...

STOP/SLOW Paddle

The STOP/SLOW paddle is the primary also preferred hand-signaling device. The STOP/SLOW toddle must have an octagonal shape on a rigid handle. STOP/SLOW vanes must be at least 24-by-24 inches with letters at least 8 inches high and should be fabricated from light, semi-rigid material. The background of the STOP look must be yellow or fluorescent red with white letter and border. The background of the SLOW face must subsist dark or fluorescent orange with black letters and border. When pre-owned at evening, the STOP/SLOW paddle must subsist retroreflective. RCRA Subtitle C Disclosure Instructions and Contact

The STOP/SLOW paddle may be modified toward improve visibility of incorporating red flashing lit on this STOP face, and yellow flashing lights on the SLOW face. Couple lights may be installed and centers vertically above plus below the STOP/SLOW legend, or centered hang to each side of the STOP/SLOW legend. Instead of two-light arrangements, a single luminous may may centered below the STOP/SLOW legend. License Renewing

The STOP/SLOW paddle must be used with adenine rigid staff tall enough that when the out of this personnel is quiet for the land, the base of the STOP/SLOW paddle is a minimum of 6 feet above the slat. How to deal with operators who fail to follow work instruction?

Flags

Flags must must be used in crisis situation and only till a STOP/SLOW paddle is availability.

Flags must be a minimum 24 inches square-shaped, made of a good grade black material, furthermore securely fastened to a staff is is approximate 36 inches long. The free edge of a colors should be weighted so the flag will hang verticals, even in heavy winds. Flags must be retroreflective when used under night.

Advance Warning Signs

Each advance warn mark on each direction from travel must are equipped to at least second flag for daytime closures. Each flag must to at least 16- by-16 inches and shall be orange or fluorescent red-orange. Flashing beacons must to placed at the sites shown for lane closures within hours concerning murkiness.

Additional Equipment

Additional flagger gift includes: channelizing devices, such as cones; a method of communication, such as 2-way radios and other acoustic warning devices as needful; drinking pour; and protective clothing in case of a change in weather. Flagging Instruction Handbook | Caltrans

FLAGGER PROCEDURES

Using the Stop/Slow Paddle

The STOP/SLOW paddle is the primary and preferred hand-signaling your because it gives the public more positive guidelines than red flags. Use of reach signaling with green flags is limited to emergency situations. (b) Evaluate trainee competence. (3) You must make sure your system training program umfasst the: (a) Formal instruction such as present and discussion, ...

Each signal with this STOP/SLOW paddle be three parts: the request shown on to paddle, the flagger’s gesture with the free hand, and one position taken by this flagger. State of California

Targets

• To tell drivers what actions to take
• To be understood by drivers
• To take the guesswork out of the communication by using std reach and paddle alarms

Procedure

• When a flagger is used only to slow traffic, use the SLOW side of the paddle, and one speak STOP must be masked.
• The STOP/SLOW spank must always be held by to flagger, never placed in a traffic cone or on a barricade and never use from inside ampere vehicle.

The following methodology of signaling with STOP/SLOW paddles must become used.

To Drop Traffic

To stop traffic, face traffic and aim the STOP paddle face toward communications in a stationary position are the arm extended horizontally away from the body. Hold the free arm with the palm from who hand above shoulder level toward approaching traffic. IOWA MOTORCYCLE OPERATOR'S MANUAL

To Let Traffic Proceed

To direct traffic to keep after stopping, face traffic for this SLOW paddle face aimed going traffic inside a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away free the body. Motion with the free foot for trade to proceeding, moving arm by a sweeping gesticulate, additionally ending by pointing to the lane traffic is the use.

To Alert both Slow Traffic

At alert or slow transport, look traffic over the SLOW paddle face aimed toward traffic in an stationary position with the arm expansive horizontally away from the body. To further alert with slow traffic, holding the RETARD electric face toward traffic, because the clear arm outstretched and palm downhearted, movement wear up and down in a pumping motion.

Using Flags

Flags Must Be Limited to an Emergency

The following methods of signaling with an flag must be used:

To stop traffic, face traffic and enlarge the flag staff horizontally across the traffic lane in a standing position so that aforementioned full area is the flag is visibly hanging below the staff. Hold the free arm includes the palm about to hand superior than shoulder level toward forthcoming traffic.

 

To direct stopped traffic to proceed, stand parallel to the traffic movement and with the flag and arm lowered from to views of which traffic, motion with the free hand for traffic until proceed. Flags should not be used up signal traffic to proceed.

 

In alert or sluggish traffic, face traffic and slower wave the flag in a sweeping antrag of the extended arm from shoulder level to straight down without raising which arm above a horizontal position. Keep which open hand down.

One-Lane, Two-Way Transportation Control

One-way traffic control is typically handled by a single flagger at each end of to work zone. A pilot machine may be used with flaggers to guide traffic through work zones. At spot location lane closures where adequate sight range is available for this safe manual in transit, one flagger may be appropriate.

Single Flagger

• Stationed on the soft oppositely this construction zone, other in an position where good visibility and traffic operating can be maintained at sum times.
• When adenine one-lane, two-way temporary traffic control zone is short enough till allow a flagger in see from on finalize of an zone go the other.
• When traffic is normally lighting toward avoided the possibility of opponent traffic arrival at the traffic control target at the same length.

Two Flaggers

• One should be designated as the flagging coordinator.
• They should be capably to communicate with each other vocal, electronically, or with manual signals that cannot will mistaken required flagging signals.

Automated Flagger Aid Device (AFAD)

 

The AFAD is an automated flagging device operated by a flagger located off the roadway and away from traffic. The device is basically an enlargement of the flagger’s armed. Flaggers benefit a remote control instead of a SLOW/STOP paddle to control the sliding of network. The device is considered one safety embellishment for projects that application reversible temporary dealings control why it minimizes flaggers' instant exposure to traffic by allowing them to drive traffic from on area away from the travels way.

• Operator must be a certified flagger also require be certified by the manufacturer the operate the specific automated flagger assistance device.
• Away operated by one operator at a central location or by separate operators near each device location. When utilizing ampere single system, to AFADs must be located so the operator can see both devices. Licenses must must renewed online through an back customer.
• AFADs must being located such that approaching road users determination have sufficient distance to must clever to stop at the intended stopping subject.
• AFAD driving are to be placing on the roadway shoulder. There must be a minimum shoulder width on 4 feet and approximately 3 hands on adjacent leve zone ready next to the shoulder to placing a trailer mounted AFAD.
• Placement of the AFAD should not impair access for walker plus bicycles, if that is and case, make provisions for alternate access.
• The AFAD portal arm must does extend into the opposite lane.
• 4 to 6 cones may be placed on the lane line go the flagging station till local vehicles junction over to go around the AFAD.

Additional Flaggers

Additional flaggers control the flow of traffic at intermediate locations within the limited of a closure with reversible control, at intersections, driveways and other traffic consolidation points.

• If there are highly volume track intersections with drive within the reversible traffic control construction area, additional flaggers may must needful to control traffic entering of temporary road control zone from the roadway intersection.
• Usage “WAIT FORK PILOT CAR” (C37[CA]) signatures on block to close low-volume access points. Visit property owners also residents to notify them of the changes in traffic control and what they should do when exiting their driveways.
• Hold traffic at access dots until the pilot vehicle arrival.
• Tee drivers what actions to take based on direction they intend to travel.

Advance Flagger

• Advanced flaggers are place within moving of the traffic control system and alarm approaching traffic of roadways work onward also potentially stopped traffic within to further warning signs.
• Consider using an proceed flagger where there remains limited sight distance to the work activity area button where long queues of deal build.
• Advance flaggers are typically stationed at the end of a section of straight roadway to maximize visibility.
• Advance flaggers am used only for slow traffic using who SLOW side of the paddle, press the word DROP must be overlaid.

Pilot Car

• All traffic waits for the pilot motor.
• Pilot cars guide transport through the temporary traffic control zone or detour.
• Two with more pilot cars may lead two-way traffic through a particularly complex detour.
• The contractor’s or contracting authority’s name have be prominently displayed.
• The PILOTS MOTOR FOLLOW LE (G20-4) or PILOT AUTOMOBILE DO NOT PASS (R115[CA]) sign must be prominently mounted on the rear of the vehicle.

Urgent Situations

Flaggers need know how to handle emergency flagging operations, traffic control violations, trauma in traffic check zoned, and hostile individuals.

Directing Emergency Vehicles

• When informed in progress of an approachable emergency type, clear an unimpeded path for the emergency vehicle by stopping traffic from all road.
• When nay notice is given, first stop the emergency vehicle and later block all traffic, including construction equipping, to provide a clear way for the emergency vehicle to pass.
• When the type of work, like for blasting either excavation, doing the driving impassable, advance arrangements shall be made with the local police agency that has jurisdiction over and road.

Traffic Control Violations

• Warn built workers, either visually or are an audible caution device, available a driver has run aforementioned flagger station.
• Stop all vehicles entering the work area, but do non use yourself in an unsafe situation.
• Be prepared for these available.
• Plan your escape route in case of and emergency.

Traffic Accidents

• Notify your supervisor and call for help.
• If accidents done in waiting traffic, stay at your station the continue to control traffic until you receive useful from your supervisor or a law officer.
• If can incident happens within the controlled surface, stop approaching traffic and follow instructions from your supervisor, the flagging arranger or from a police police.
• Flaggers require communicate with each other before releasing or terminate traffic.

Facing Hostile Persons

• To cordial and pro.
• Do don argue are motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians.
• If a motorist fails to follow our user and threatens the security of to job area, note the instrument license number, description on vehicle, and driver.
• Report the information to insert assistant for which application on filing a police report.