24 Feb Flagger Safety on Construction Sites

Flagger Safety on Construction Sites

Construction activities frequently place employees and equipment close to moving traffic. When signs, signals, barricades, or other traffic-control devices alone cannot safely control traffic, properly trained flaggers may be necessary to protect workers, motorists, pedestrians, and equipment.

Flagging is a safety-critical assignment. A flagger must remain visible, alert, and prepared to respond immediately to changing traffic and work-zone conditions.

When Are Flaggers Needed?

Flaggers should be provided when required by the approved traffic-control plan or applicable regulations and when other traffic-control devices cannot adequately control traffic or protect workers.

Flaggers may be necessary when:

• Traffic must alternate through a single open lane.
• Construction vehicles or equipment enter, cross, or leave an active roadway.
• Workers or equipment temporarily obstruct a traffic lane.
• Motorists require additional direction through an unusual or changing work-zone configuration.
• Sight distance is limited by curves, hills, equipment, or other obstructions.
• Traffic must be stopped temporarily for construction operations.
• Other traffic-control devices alone cannot safely control traffic.

Flagger stations must be positioned so motorists have sufficient distance to recognize the flagger and safely respond.

Flagger Training

Only employees who have received appropriate flagger training and demonstrated their ability to perform the work should be assigned flagging duties.

Training should address:

• Required flagging equipment.
• Work-zone and flagger-station layout.
• Proper use of STOP/SLOW paddles and other authorized signaling devices.
• Procedures for stopping, slowing, and releasing traffic.
• One-way traffic-control procedures.
• Communication between multiple flaggers.
• Procedures for construction vehicles entering or leaving the work zone.
• Emergency vehicle procedures.
• Recognition of hazardous or unusual traffic situations.
• Procedures for dealing with aggressive or hostile motorists.
• Emergency procedures and predetermined escape routes.
• Procedures when a single flagger is used, when permitted.
• Applicable traffic-control plans and MUTCD requirements.

Training should include a demonstration by the employee of proper flagging techniques before the employee is assigned to control traffic.

Required flagger training should be documented in accordance with company procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.

High-Visibility Apparel

Flaggers must wear high-visibility safety apparel appropriate for the work and visibility conditions.

Apparel should:

• Meet applicable MUTCD requirements.
• Make the flagger clearly distinguishable from surrounding workers and equipment.
• Be maintained in clean and serviceable condition.
• Include appropriate retroreflective material for nighttime and low-visibility operations.

Additional PPE may include a hard hat, safety footwear, safety glasses, gloves, and other protection required by site conditions.

Selecting a Safe Flagger Station

A flagger should be positioned where approaching motorists can see the flagger early enough to safely slow or stop.

Consider:

• Posted and actual traffic speeds.
• Required stopping sight distance.
• Hills and curves.
• Weather and visibility.
• Roadway width and configuration.
• Construction equipment movement.
• Pedestrian and bicycle traffic.
• Nearby intersections and driveways.

The flagger should have a predetermined escape route that is clear of equipment, materials, barriers, and other obstructions.

Never position a flagger where an errant vehicle could trap the employee against equipment, barriers, parked vehicles, structures, or other objects.

Safe Flagging Practices

While controlling traffic, flaggers should:

• Face approaching traffic.
• Remain clearly visible to motorists.
• Use the STOP/SLOW paddle as required by the traffic-control plan.
• Use clear, deliberate, and consistent signals.
• Never wave the paddle in a confusing manner.
• Remain in the designated safe position except when established flagging procedures require otherwise.
• Never stand directly in the path of approaching vehicles.
• Maintain awareness of construction equipment operating nearby.
• Continually watch approaching vehicles for signs that a driver may not stop.
• Never assume that a driver sees or understands the flagger’s signal.

If a vehicle fails to stop, the flagger should move to the predetermined escape route and warn exposed workers rather than attempt to physically stop the vehicle.

Communication

When two or more flaggers are controlling traffic, they must have a reliable means of communication.

When flaggers cannot clearly see one another, approved communication devices, such as two-way radios, should be used. Procedures should be established before work begins so opposing traffic is not released simultaneously.

Communication should also be coordinated with equipment operators and supervisors when construction vehicles must enter or cross active traffic.

Emergency Vehicles

Flaggers must understand the site’s procedure for emergency vehicles approaching the work zone.

Do not improvise. Coordinate with other flaggers and workers and follow the established traffic-control procedure to provide safe passage without unnecessarily exposing workers, motorists, or emergency personnel to additional hazards.

Nighttime and Low-Visibility Operations

Nighttime flagging requires additional precautions.

• Flagger stations must be adequately illuminated.
• Lighting should make the flagger visible without creating glare for approaching motorists.
• Required high-visibility retroreflective apparel must be worn.
• Traffic-control devices must remain visible and properly positioned.
• Flaggers should be particularly alert for impaired, fatigued, or distracted motorists.

Avoid Distractions

Flagging requires continuous attention to traffic. A flagger should not:

• Use a personal cell phone or electronic device.
• Read or perform paperwork unrelated to flagging.
• Wear headphones or earbuds.
• Engage in unnecessary conversations.
• Perform other work while actively controlling traffic.
• Turn away from approaching traffic.

Dealing With Aggressive Drivers

Flaggers may encounter impatient or hostile motorists. Remain professional and do not argue, threaten, or attempt to physically confront a driver.

Maintain your safe position, continue using established traffic-control signals, and notify the supervisor or law enforcement when a motorist creates a serious threat to workers or the public.

Remember

A flagger’s job is to control traffic—not confront it. Stay visible, stay focused, use approved signals, communicate clearly, and always maintain an escape route. Never assume an approaching driver sees you or will stop.