1. Flaggers’ Safety In Highway Work Zones
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As a flagger, you play a key role in keeping everyone safe in temporary traffic control zones. Your job helps protect construction workers at the site, as well as motorists, pedestrians, and other members of the public who pass through a traffic control zone. To perform your job effectively, you need to know about how a traffic control zone should be set up, as well as your function in the overall safety management of the zone. You’ll learn about all that and more during today’s session.

2. Session Objectives You will be able to:
Recognize the hazards of flagging
Identify different sections of a temporary traffic control zone
Understand the temporary traffic control plan and your responsibilities
Use signaling devices effectively
Position warning signs, tapers, and flagging stations safely
The main objective of this session is to provide you with important information about your duties as a flagger and about temporary traffic control zone safety generally. By the time this session is over, you should be able to:
Recognize the hazards of flagging;
Identify different sections of a temporary traffic control zone;
Understand the temporary traffic control plan and your responsibilities as a flagger;
Use signaling devices effectively; and
Position warning signs, tapers, and flagging stations safely.

3. Hazards of Flagging Risk from equipment and passing vehicles
Statistics support high risk of injury
More than 100 workers killed and 20,000 injured each year
Highway and street construction workers have a dangerous job. They face the risk of serious injuries and, in some cases, even death.
Workers in highway work zones are exposed to risk of injury from movement of construction vehicles and equipment, as well as from passing motor vehicle traffic.
In fact, statistics reveal a high risk of injury for traffic control zone workers. Roadway construction workers are three times more likely to be killed on the job than other construction workers, and eight times more likely to be killed at work than employees in other industries.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health says that each year more than 100 workers are killed, and over 20,000 more are injured in highway work zones.
But flaggers and other workers are not the only ones at risk. More than 1,000 motorists, pedestrians, and other members of the public are killed in accidents involving temporary traffic control zones every year and tens of thousands more are injured.
As a flagger, you play a key role in preventing accidents in highway work zones. So listen carefully for the next half hour or so to make sure you learn how to keep yourself and everyone else safe on the job.
More motorists than workers killed or injured in temporary traffic control zones

4. Temporary Traffic Control Zone
Advance warning area
Transition area
Activity area
Termination area
The first method used to protect highway construction workers and flaggers is the implementation of a temporary traffic control zone. A temporary traffic control zone is an area of a highway where road user conditions are changed because of a work zone.
A work zone is typically marked by signs, channelizing devices, barriers, pavement markings, and/or work vehicles. It extends from the fist warning sign or high-intensity lights on a vehicle to the “END ROAD WORK” sign or the last temporary traffic control device.
Components of a temporary traffic control zone include:
The advance warning area;
The transition area;
The activity area; and
The termination area.

5. Advance Warning Area Road users informed of work zone
Warning signs longer on freeways
Sign A— 1,000 feet from transition
Sign B— 1,500 feet from sign A
Sign C— 2,500 feet from sign B
Drivers see sign C first
The advance warning area is the section of highway where road users are informed about the upcoming work zone. The advance warning area may vary from a single sign or high-intensity lights on a vehicle to a series of signs in advance of the temporary traffic control zone activity area.
Typical distances for placement of advance warning signs on freeways and expressways should be longer because drivers are conditioned to uninterrupted flow. Therefore, the advance warning sign placement should extend on these facilities as far as a half a mile or more. Recommended advance warning sign spacing for expressways and freeways includes three signs at the following distances:
Sign A—1,000 feet from the beginning of the transition or point of restriction
Sign B—1,500 feet from sign A
Sign C—2,500 feet from sign B
This placement means that sign C is the first sign encountered by a driver approaching a temporary traffic control zone.
Think about the advance warning signs you use on the job.

6. Transition Area Road users are redirected out of the normal path
Mobile operations— transition area moves
Tapers are used to transition traffic
Space taper devices properly
The transition area is the section of the highway where road users are redirected, or channelized, out of their normal path to a new path.
In mobile construction operations, the transition area moves with the work space.
Tapers may be used to channelize traffic in both the transition and termination areas. Tapers are created by using a series of channelizing devices, such as cones and/or pavement markings, to move traffic out of or into the normal path.
The maximum distance in feet between devices in a taper should not exceed one times the speed limit in miles per hour. So, if the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, the maximum distance between devices in the taper should be 65 feet.
Think about the devices you use to transition or taper traffic.

7. Minimum Taper Length = Width x Speed
Traffic Tapers
Minimum taper length: L = WS
Merging taper requires longest distance
Shifting taper is used where shoulder is closed
Downstream taper is used in termination area
You can determine the proper length of a traffic taper by using the following formula when the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or more:
L = WS, where L is the traffic taper length in feet, W is the width of the offset in feet, and S is the posted speed limit. For example, if the width of the offset is 18 feet and the speed limit is 65, then the traffic taper length should be a minimum of 1,170 feet.
Merging tapers require the longest distance because drivers are required to merge into common road space. A merging taper should be long enough to enable merging drivers to have adequate advance warning and sufficient length to adjust their speeds and merge into a single lane before the end of the transition.
Shifting tapers are used when a lateral shift is needed. Changes in alignment can also be accomplished by using horizontal curves designed for normal highway speeds. Shoulder tapers are beneficial on a high-speed roadway where shoulders are part of the activity area and are closed.
Downstream tapers are useful in termination areas to provide a visual cue that access back into the original lane or path is available. These tapers should be about 100 feet per lane, with devices 20 feet apart.
Minimum Taper Length = Width x Speed

8. Activity Area Work space is for workers, equipment, and material
Traffic space routes road uses through activity area
Buffer space separates road user flow from work space
The activity area is the section of the highway where the work takes place. It is comprised of the work space, the traffic space, and the buffer space.
The work space is the portion of the highway closed to road users and set aside for construction workers, equipment, and material. Work spaces are usually delineated from the road users by channelizing devices or by temporary barriers.
The traffic space is the portion of the highway in which road users are routed through the activity area.
The buffer space is an area that separates road user flow from the work space or an unsafe area, and might provide some recovery space for an errant vehicle—in other words, an unauthorized vehicle that has strayed out of the traffic space. Neither work activity nor storage of equipment, vehicles, or material should occur within a buffer space. Buffer spaces may be positioned either longitudinally or laterally with respect to the direction of road user flow. Longitudinal buffer space gives traffic vehicles space to stop before driving into the work space. The lateral buffer space is used to separate the traffic space from the work space.

9. Termination Area Returns road users to normal path
“END ROAD WORK” sign
Longitudinal buffer and taper
The termination area is used to return road users to their normal path. The termination area extends from the downstream end of the work area to the last temporary traffic control device.
An “END ROAD WORK” sign, a speed limit sign, or other signs may be used to inform road users that they can resume normal operations.
A longitudinal buffer space may be used between the work space and the beginning of the downstream taper.

10. Temporary Traffic Control Plan
Avoid abrupt lane changes
Encourage alternate routes
Schedule road work at night
Provide adequate warning for motorists
Using flagging to guide motorists
A temporary traffic control plan must be prepared and understood by everyone involved in a project before a highway or street construction site is occupied.
The plan should avoid frequent and abrupt changes that require rapid maneuvers. For example, lane narrowing, dropped lanes, or main roadway transitions should be avoided.
The plan should provide for alternate routes that do not pass through the traffic control zone, and should encourage road users to use them.
Roadway occupancy should be scheduled during off-peak hours and, if necessary, night work should be considered in the plan.
Adequate warning, delineation, and channelization should be provided in the plan to assist in guiding road users in advance of and through the temporary traffic zone.
Flagging procedures, when used, should be outlined in the plan and provide positive guidance to road users traversing the temporary traffic control zone.
Are you familiar with temporary traffic control plans? You should always read and understand the plan before going out on the job.

11. Routine Inspections Implement traffic control plan properly
Monitor plan under varying conditions
Keep channelizing devices clean and reflective
Check for missing traffic control devices
Look for evidence of near misses
Temporary traffic control zones should be inspected routinely to make sure that all traffic control devices are consistent with the temporary traffic control plan, and are effective in providing safe conditions for workers, motorists, and others who pass through the area.
Traffic control zones must be monitored carefully under varying conditions of road user volumes, light conditions, and weather conditions to make sure that devices are effective, clearly visible, and in compliance with the traffic control plan.
Channelizing devices must be inspected to make sure they’re clean and properly maintained to preserve their reflective intensity and visibility.
You also have to check routinely to make sure that all traffic control devices are in place. Missing devices create the potential for motorists to inadvertently enter the work space or exit the temporary traffic control zone in the wrong place.
The project supervisor must evaluate the effectiveness of the temporary traffic control setup by walking or riding the job looking for evidence of near misses—for example, skid marks or damaged barricades.
Think about the inspection procedures used on jobs where you work.

12. Warning Signs and Tapers: Test Your Knowledge
What is the recommended spacing for three advance warning signs on a highway?
SIGN A should be placed 1,000 feet from the beginning of the transition area;
SIGN B should be placed 1,500 feet from sign A; and
SIGN C should be placed 2,500 feet from sign B.
Now let’s see how much you remember about placement of advance warning signs and tapers in transition areas.
What is the recommended spacing for three advance warning signs on a highway? The correct answer is:
Sign A should be placed 1,000 feet from the beginning of the transition area;
Sign B should be placed 1,500 feet from sign A; and
Sign C should be placed 2,500 feet from sign B.

13. Warning Signs and Tapers: Test Your Knowledge (cont.)
How long should a taper in a transition area be if the offset is 16 feet and the speed limit on the highway is 55 miles per hour?
The formula is Length equals width of offset times speed limit in miles per hour. In this case the length of the taper should be 16 times 55, which equals a minimum of 880 feet.
How long should a taper in a transition area be if the offset is 16 feet and the speed limit on the highway is 55 miles per hour? To answer this question you have to remember the formula for determining taper lengths. That formula is length (L) equals width of offset (W) times speed limit in miles per hour(s). In this case the length of the taper should be 16 times 55, which equals a minimum of 880 feet.
Minimum Taper Length = Width x Speed

14. Warning Signs and Tapers: Test Your Knowledge (cont.)
What is the maximum distance in feet between devices in this taper if the speed limit is 55 mph?
The maximum distance should not exceed one times the speed limit. So if the speed limit is 55, the distance between devices should be no more than 55 feet.
What is the maximum distance in feet between devices in this taper? The maximum distance should not exceed one times the speed limit. So if the speed limit is 55, the distance between devices should be no more than 55 feet.

15. Temporary Traffic Control Zone Setup and Inspection
Do you understand:
What we’ve discussed about the advance warning area, transition area, activity area, and termination area?
The importance of routine inspections in temporary traffic control zones?
What inspections should cover?
Now it’s time to ask yourself if you understand the information presented so far.
Do you understand what we’ve discussed about the advance warning area, transition area, activity area, and termination area?
Do you understand the importance of routine inspections in temporary traffic control zones?
Do you understand what inspections should cover?
All of this information is essential knowledge for flaggers. Your understanding of traffic control zone setup and inspections will help keep you, other construction workers, and motorists safe.
Now let’s go on to the next slide and talk about flagger qualifications.

16. Criteria for Flaggers You are responsible for public safety and must:
Communicate instructions clearly
Maneuver quickly
Control signaling devices
As a flagger, you are responsible for public safety and have the most contact with the public of all highway workers. You should be able to demonstrate the following abilities:
Communicate specific instructions firmly and courteously;
Maneuver quickly in order to avoid danger from errant vehicles; and
Control signaling devices, such as paddles and flags, in order to provide clear guidance for drivers approaching a temporary traffic control zone.

17. Criteria for Flaggers (cont.)
Understand safety traffic control
Recognize dangerous traffic situations
Know the traffic control plan
Be identified as flaggers by motorists
You must also:
Understand and apply safe traffic control practices, sometimes in stressful or emergency situations;
Recognize dangerous traffic situations and warn workers in sufficient time to avoid injuries;
Be very familiar with the temporary traffic control plan and know the traffic flow, the work zone setup, and proper placement of channelizing devices; and
Maintain sufficient distance from other highway workers in order to be clearly identified as a flagger by passing motorists.

18. Flagger Authority Monitor operations in the work area
Communicate with traffic control supervisor
Halt operations if hazard arises
In addition to understanding the necessary criteria, you must also understand your authority as a flagger.
You are responsible for monitoring temporary traffic control zone operations in your immediate area.
That means you are authorized to communicate with the traffic control supervisor and to recommend that operations be temporarily halted until a hazard that threatens the safe movement of traffic through the work zone can be corrected.
You are also authorized to halt operations yourself in the event a hazard arises and the traffic control supervisor is not in the immediate area.
Do you understand the nature and extent of your authority in the temporary traffic control zones to which you are assigned? If you have any questions, you should consult the traffic control supervisor at the beginning of the job.

19. High-Visibility Apparel
Clothing meets safety standards
Fluorescent background color
Reflective materials
Designed to identify as a person
High-visibility armbands, hats, vests, gloves
Inspect reflective material regularly
To keep safe on the job—day or night—you must wear safety apparel that makes you visible to traffic and meets the requirements of the American National Standard for High-Visibility Apparel.
According to the standard, the apparel’s background material color must be either fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent yellow-green.
The reflective material color must be either orange, yellow, white, sliver, yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of these colors.
Furthermore, it must be visible from a minimum distance of 1,000 feet and clearly identify you as a person.
You can increase your visibility by wearing high-visibility armbands and hats, vests with strobes, and reflective or fluorescent materials on head gear and on gloves. Gloves should be a contrasting color from clothes and vest.
Be sure to inspect high-visibility clothing regularly to make sure that color has not faded and reflective properties have not been lost.

20. Alternatives to Flaggers
Hazardous conditions (high traffic speeds, bad weather, limited visibility)
Alternative traffic management systems (lane shifts, portable traffic signs,remote signaling devices)
Because of the hazards flaggers might face in some highway construction situations, alternatives to using people are sometimes implemented. For example, we will use alternatives to flaggers when traffic control is required under hazardous conditions, such as high traffic speeds, inclement weather, night work, and other situations that limit visibility.
In situations where flaggers are not used, we can use alternative traffic management systems, such as lane shifts, portable traffic signals, or remote signaling devices operated by workers away from the flow of traffic.

21. Hand-Signaling Devices
Control road users
STOP/SLOW paddle
Red flags
Strobe lights on paddles
Hand-signaling devices are used to control road users and direct them through temporary traffic control zones.
The STOP/SLOW paddle is the primary and preferred hand-signaling device because it gives road users more positive guidance than red flags.
Use of red flags should generally be limited to emergency situations.
When additional visibility is required, we will provide you with flashing STOP/SLOW paddles that have strobe lights mounted on each face.
Think about the hand-signaling devices you use on the job.

22. Signaling with Paddles
Stop road users
Direct stopped road users to proceed
Alert or slow traffic
It’s important to use the right techniques when signaling with paddles to make sure road users understand your directions.
To stop road users, face and aim the STOP paddle face toward them in a stationary position, with your arm extended horizontally away from your body. Hold your free arm with your hand above shoulder level and your palm facing toward the approaching traffic.
To direct stopped road users to proceed, face them with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward them in a stationary position with your arm extended horizontally away from your body. Slowly and distinctly motion with your free hand for road users to proceed.
To alert or slow traffic, face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward them in a stationary position, with your arm extended horizontally away from your body. To further alert or slow traffic, hold the SLOW paddle face toward road users and motion up and down with your free hand, palm down.
Image Credit: California State Dept. of Transportation

23. Signaling with Flags Stop road users
Direct stopped road users to proceed
Alert or slow traffic
You should also know how to signal effectively with flags.
To stop traffic with a flag, face road users and extend the flag staff horizontally across the traffic lane in a stationary position so that the full area of the flag is visibly hanging below the staff. Your free arm should be held above shoulder level, with your palm facing approaching traffic.
To direct stopped traffic to proceed, stand parallel to road users and with flag lowered from view, motion with your free hand for traffic to proceed. Use slow and precise hand motions. Do not use the flag to signal road users to proceed.
To alert or slow traffic, face road users and slowly wave the flag in a sweeping motion of the extended arm from shoulder level to straight down, without raising your arm above the horizontal position. Keep your free hand down.
Image Credit: California State Dept. of Transportation

24. Flagger Stations Road users must have sufficient distance to stop
Errant vehicle can stop before entering work space
Advanced warning signs
Lighted at night
Flagger stations must be located so that road users have sufficient distance to stop at an intended stopping point.
Flagger stations should also be located so that an errant vehicle has additional space to stop without entering the work space.
Flagger stations must be preceded by an advance warning sign or signs.
And, stations must be illuminated at night.

25. Flagger Stations (cont.)
Stand on shoulder next to road
Enter road only after vehicles have stopped
Be able to warn workers of danger
Stand away from shade and shadows
Keep workers away
At the flagger station, before stopping road users, you should stand on the shoulder adjacent to the road being controlled or, if a lane has been closed, you can stand in the closed lane.
Only enter the lane being used by moving road users after they’ve stopped. Make sure you’re clearly visible to the first approaching vehicle.
Station yourself sufficiently in advance of the workers in the activity zone to be able to warn them of approaching danger by out-of-control vehicles. To warn of danger, you could use an audible warning device such as a horn or whistle that can be clearly heard over traffic noise.
You should be located in a visible area, away from shade and shadows.
Also be sure to stand alone. A flagger should never permit a group of workers to congregate around the flagger station.
Think about these and other requirements for the proper position of flagger stations in the temporary traffic control zones in which you’ve worked. Do you see how these rules help protect your safety?

26. One Flagger Short traffic control zone
Stationed on shoulder opposite work space
Good visibility of traffic
Traffic controlled at all times
When a one-lane or two-lane temporary traffic control zone is short enough to allow you to see from one end of the zone to the other, traffic may be controlled by either a single flagger or by a flagger at each end of the section.
When a single flagger is used, you will be stationed on the shoulder opposite the construction or work space.
You should be in a position where good visibility of traffic from both directions can be maintained.
And remember, you must be able to maintain traffic control at all times. If you can’t, another flagger, or some other additional precaution, may be needed. Check with the traffic control supervisor.
Think about situations where only one flagger is necessary in a temporary traffic control zone.

27. Two Flaggers Flagger at each end One flagger is the coordinator
Communicate with each other
When a one-lane or two-lane temporary traffic control zone can’t be safely maintained by a single flagger, traffic must be controlled by a flagger at each end of the section.
One flagger will be designated as the coordinator.
You must be able to communicate with each other by speaking directly, by using an electronic device, or with manual symbols. If you use manual symbols, however, make sure they can’t be mistaken by road users for flagging signals.
Image Credit: California State Dept. of Transportation

28. Flagging at Night or in Adverse Conditions
Wear highly visible clothing or rain gear
Illuminate flagger workstation
Use warning signs to reflect actual work zone conditions
Do not attempt to perform any other duties
Do not use devices such as cell phones or pagers
When flagging at night is necessary, flaggers must take extra precautions. Many accidents occur due to low visibility at night or in rain, snow, or fog. When these conditions are present, follow these rules to stay safe:
Wear highly visible clothing or rain gear. This should consist of materials that are fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent red over white coveralls. In addition, a high-visibility hard hat that is iridescent or marked with reflecting material must be worn. During inclement weather, yellow rain gear may be substituted for white coveralls.
Be sure the flagger workstation is illuminated.
Use warning signs to reflect the actual condition of the work zone.
Do not attempt to perform any other duties while flagging. Your full attention should be devoted to flagging.
And finally, do not use devices such as cell phones, pagers, and radio headphones. These can distract the flagger’s attention, vision, or hearing. Devices such as two-way radios used for directing or ensuring flagger safety are acceptable.

29. Match the Traffic Direction With the Hand Sign
SLOW
Stop
Proceed
Slow down
STOP
When you signal with STOP/SLOW paddles, you also need to use your free hand to guide road users safely and avoid misunderstandings. To test your knowledge of these free hand signals, we’re going ask you to match the hand sign in each picture on the right with the correct direction on the left:
Stop
Proceed
Slow down
How did you do? Did you match them all correctly?
SLOW

30. Flagger Safety Procedures
Do you understand:
About flagger qualifi-cations and authority?
About high-visibility apparel and alternatives to flaggers?
About signaling devices and flagger stations?
When one flagger is sufficient and when two are required?
We’ve covered a lot of information in the previous slides. Take a moment to make sure you understand it all.
Do you understand what we’ve said about flagger qualifications and authority?
About high-visibility apparel and alternatives to flaggers?
About signaling devices and flagger stations.
Do you understand when one flagger is sufficient and when two are required?
It’s important for you to understand all this information. Everyone’s safety on the job depends on your knowledge of all these aspects of work zone safety.
Now let’s conclude the session with some key points to remember.

31. Make sure you understand your responsibilities and authority
Be familiar with the traffic control plan
Wear high-visibility clothing
Inspect signs and devices regularly
Position your flagging station properly
Use clear signals to guide traffic through the traffic control zone
Here are the main points to remember from this session on flagger safety:
Make sure you understand your responsibilities and authority as a flagger;
Be familiar with the temporary traffic control plan;
Wear high-visibility clothing;
Inspect warning signs and traffic control devices regularly to make sure they are clean, visible, and properly located;
Position your flagging station so that you can see oncoming traffic and they can see you; and
Use clear signals to guide traffic safely through the traffic control zone.
This concludes the flaggers’ safety in highway work zones training session. Please be sure to go back and review any information that is not completely clear by using the menu on the left to select particular slides. If you still have questions, be sure to ask your supervisor or trainer.