FLAGGING HANDBOOK - Dot.state.pa.us
Bureau of Maintenance and OperationsFLAGGINGHANDBOOKPUB 234 (8-12)
TABLE OF CONTENTSIntroduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1Attire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Positioning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3Flagging Procedures:Use of a Stop/Slow Paddle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4Figure 1 - Stop & Slow Paddle . . . . . . . . . . . .5Figure 2 - Red Flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6Use of a Red Flag . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7Nighttime Flagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Informing Motorists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8Flagger Conduct . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9Situational Awareness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Emergency Vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10Traffic Control Violations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Traffic Accidents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Dealing with Hostile Individuals . . . . . . . . . .11Information for Supervisors and Foremen . . . . .12Publication 213 – General Notes . . . . . . . . . . . .16i
Why uSE A FLAggErIn work zones, flaggers are provided to stoptraffic as necessitated by the work; or to maintaincontinuous traffic flow through the work zone atsafe speeds. In all cases, the flagger must beclearly visible to approaching traffic. The flagger’sstation shall be located such that approachingtraffic will have sufficient distance to stop at anintended stopping point. Refer to the correct PATAdrawing in Publication 213, for the work beingperformed.FLAggEr TrAiNiNgAs per Publication 408, Section 901.3 (y): Flaggers shall have successfully completed aflagger-training course within the last 3 yearswhich complies with the Department’s minimumflagger training guidelines. Assure that flaggerscarry a valid wallet-sized training card containingthe name of the flagger, training source, date ofsuccessful completion of training, and signature;or provide a roster of trained flaggers to theRepresentative before the start of flaggingoperations that contains the names of flaggers,training source, and date of successfulcompletion of training.ii
iNTrODuCTiONYou have been chosen for the job of flaggerbecause your supervisor feels you are physicallyable, mentally alert, and possess the propercommunication skill set (courteous, but with afirm manner) which is required to properlycontrol traffic through work zones. Flaggers areresponsible for human safety and make thegreatest number of public contacts of all workpersonnel. As a flagger, your duties are toprotect your work crew, and to provide guidanceand direction to the traveling public.In work zones, flaggers are provided to stoptraffic as necessitated by the operations; or tomaintain continuous traffic flow through theproject at safe speeds. In both cases, the flaggermust be clearly visible to approaching traffic fora distance sufficient to allow the drivers toproperly react to their instructions.This handbook has been developed to assistyou in understanding your duties, and should bestudied and kept available for your reference.You are a vital link in the safety of our work zoneoperations. Remember that lasting impressionsare made, and public opinion is quickly formedduring the brief contact the motorist has withmaintenance, construction, and engineeringforces.gENErALThis handbook has been developed from theguidelines contained in the Federal HighwayAdministration’s Manual on Uniform TrafficControl Devices (MUTCD), Title 67-PA Codeand the Department’s Publication 213. It isdesigned to provide general information on the1
fundamentals of flagging used for short-termoperations. This handbook shall not relieve itsusers of the responsibilities outlined inPublication 213. When flagging is required fora long-term operation, or a more detailed trafficcontrol plan is needed, refer to Publication 213or the MUTCD.ATTirEPennDOT flaggers shall wear a hardhat andan ANSI Class 2 high-visibility fluorescentyellow-green with orange stripes and grayreflective trim (multi-colored) safety vest. Duringnighttime operations, ANSI Class 3 garmentsshall be worn by all employess.All other flaggers shall wear a Class 2 highvisibility fluorescent orange or yellow-greensafety vest.During inclement weather, ANSI Class 2 highvisibility fluorescent rain gear may be used. Aneat appearance helps promote a professionalatmosphere and helps you be a more respectedand effective flagger. When positioning yourself,remember to maintain the color contrastbetween the work zone and your garments.POSiTiONiNgFlaggers must be standing and alert whenfacing approaching traffic. Always stand in ahighly visible location and when possible do notstand in shaded areas. Flaggers must belocated in such a position that they can be seenby traffic so drivers can react safely to theirinstructions. For a two flagger stationaryoperation, the flaggers should be stationed aminimum of 200 feet in advance of the workarea, and for mobile operations 100 feet in2
advance of the work area. Flaggers shouldnormally stand on the shoulder or in thebarricaded lane. Flaggers should stand alone andnever allow a group of workers to congregatearound their station, or stand next to workvehicles or other obstructions which could restrictpaths of escape in case of an errant vehicle.Flaggers should always take precautions to bevisible, particularly when working at night.All flagger stations must be preceded by theappropriate work zone signs (which can be foundin Publication 213). In addition, flaggers shouldbe visible to approaching motorists for a minimumdistance:iF ThE SPEED LimiT iS:BE ViSiBLE TO mOTOriSTS AT:20 mph .115 feet25 mph.155 feet30 mph.200 feet35 mph.250 feet40 mph.305 feet45 mph.360 feet50 mph.425 feet55 mph.495 feetEquiPmENTThere are two basic pieces of equipment usedby flaggers to control traffic. These are aStop/Slow Paddle (W21-10) and a red flag. TheStop/Slow paddle shall display an 18” minimumsize Stop Sign on one face and a diamondshaped Slow Sign on the opposite face. It shallbe attached to a shaft a minimum of 72 inches inlength, and be retro-reflectorized. The red flag3
shall be 24”x24” in size, made of red material,not orange, and be attached to a staffapproximately 3 feet in length. The flag shall befully deployed when used, and not rolled up.FLAggiNg PrOCEDurESuSE OF A STOP/SLOW PADDLEA Stop/Slow paddle shall be used to controlone-lane, two-way traffic except when flagging inthe center of an intersection, or in an emergencysituation when a Red Flag is not readilyavailable.To Stop TrafficThe flagger shall face road users and aim theSTOP paddle face toward road users in astationary position with the arm extendedhorizontally away from the body. The free armshall be held with the palm of the hand aboveshoulder level toward approaching traffic.To Allow Traffic To ProceedThe flagger shall face road users with theSLOW paddle face aimed toward road usersin a stationary position with the arm extendedhorizontally away form the body. The flaggershall motion with the free hand for road usersto proceed.To Alert or Slow TrafficThe flagger shall face road users with theSLOW paddle face aimed toward road usersin a stationary position with the arm extendedhorizontally away from the body.4
NOTE: These Figures are MUTCD CompliantFigure 1Hand Signaling ProceduresWhen Using A Stop/Slow Paddle18 inchesMIN.TO STOP TRAFFICTRAFFIC PROCEED8TO ALERTAND SLOW TRAFFIC5
NOTE: These Figures are MUTCD CompliantFigure 2Hand Signaling ProceduresWhen Using A Red Flag36 inches24 inches24inchesTO STOP TRAFFICTRAFFIC PROCEEDTO ALERT ANDSLOW TRAFFIC6
uSE OF A rED FLAgA red flag shall only be used to control traffic inan intersection where the flagger is positionedwithin the intersection or in an emergencysituation.To Stop TrafficThe flagger shall face road users and extendthe flag staff horizontally across the roadusers’ lane in a stationary position so that thefull area of the flag is visibly hanging below thestaff. The free arm shall be held with the palmof the hand above shoulder level towardapproaching traffic.To Allow Traffic To ProceedThe flagger shall face road users with the flagand arm lowered from the view of the roadusers, and shall motion with the free hand forroad users to proceed. Flags shall not bewaved as a signal for road users to proceed.To Alert Or Slow TrafficThe flagger shall face road users and slowlywave the flag in a sweeping motion of theextended arm from shoulder level to straightdown without raising the arm above ahorizontal position. The flagger shall keep thefree hand down.7
NighTTimE FLAggiNgDuring hours of darkness, illumination offlagger stations is required, except duringemergencies. When a flagger station is notilluminated during hours of darkness, a flashlightwith a red wand or one or more flares shall beused to supplement the retro-reflectorizedStop/Slow Paddle, or a red flag in an emergencysituation.To Stop TrafficThe flagger should wave the light back andforth across the path of the approachingvehicle. Never shine the light directly into theeyes of the driver.To Allow Traffic To ProceedThe flagger should lower the light and eithertell the vehicle operator to proceed or use thedaytime hand motion.COmmuNiCATiONSFlaggers must be in communication with eachother at all times. This can be accomplished byusing predetermined hand signals betweenflaggers (when they are visible to each other),approved handheld radio communication, a flagcarrying car, an official car or a pilot car.iNFOrmiNg mOTOriSTSWhenever practical, flaggers should advisemotorists of the reason for the delay and theapproximate time that traffic will be halted. (Donot abandon your post at the head of the traffic8
line to advise other drivers.) Both flaggers andequipment operators should understand thatevery reasonable effort must be made to preventexcessive delays and to allow the travelingpublic adequate right-of-way.Do not lean on the vehicles and talk to theoccupants.Never engage in arguments with theoccupants of a vehicle. It is important that yoube courteous, yet brief and factual in yourconversation with them.FLAggEr CONDuCT1. Be courteous and professional.2. When talking to motorists, be friendly andpolite but do not become preoccupied withsmall talk. Your job demands full andcomplete concentration.3. All signs indicating a flagger is on duty mustbe removed or covered when you or yourreplacement are not actually flagging.4. Be clearly visible to approaching traffic at alltimes. Position yourself to provide the greatestcolor contrast between you and yoursurroundings. Do not stand in the shade wheneverpossible. Never flag from beside or inside avehicle. Do not lean, sit or lie on any vehicle. Do not permit a group of workers tocongregate around you.9
5. Be ready to respond to all emergencies orerrant vehicles. Establish a warning signal with the workcrew. Plan an escape route.6. Be familiar with the nature of the work beingperformed. Cover, fold, remove, or turn if beyond theclear zone, the “FLAGGER AHEAD”and/or “BE PREPARED TO STOP” signwhen a flagger is no longer in position.7. Remember - SAFETY FIRST. Do not watch the work in progress or tryto do any work other than flagging. Do not step into or turn your back ontraffic. Do not leave your position until you arerelieved by another flagger.Situational awareneSSFlaggers must know how to handleemergency vehicles, traffic control violations,accidents in work zones, and hostile individuals.Emergency Vehicles When informed in advance of an approachingemergency vehicle, the flagger should clear apath for the emergency vehicle by stoppingtraffic in all directions. When no advance notice is given, first stopthe emergency vehicle, then stop all traffic inall directions.10
When the type of work, such as blasting orexcavation makes the roadway impassable,advance arrangements should be made withthe local police agency that has jurisdictionover the roadway.Traffic Control Violations Warn construction workers, either visually orwith an audible warning device, when a driverhas run the flagger station. Stop all vehicles entering the work zone, butdo not put yourself in an unsafe situation. Be prepared for these possibilities. Plan your escape route in case of anemergency.Traffic Accidents Notify your supervisor and call for help. If accidents happen in the line of waitingtraffic, stay at your station and continue tocontrol traffic until you receive instructionsfrom your supervisor or a police officer. If an accident happens within the work zonebeyond your flagging station, holdapproaching traffic and follow the guidance ofyour supervisor or a police officer. Flaggers must communicate with each otherbefore releasing or stopping traffic.Dealing with hostile individuals Be courteous and professional. Do not argue with motorists or pedestrians.11
If a motorist fails to follow your instructionsand threatens the safety of the work zone,note the vehicle license number, descriptionof vehicle, and driver. Report the information to your supervisor forthe purpose of filing a police report.iNFOrmATiON FOrSuPErViSOrS AND FOrEmENSuccessful execution of traffic control isdependent upon proper supervision. One of thefirst and most important steps in supervision isproviding all necessary instructions to theforeman, crew chief and flagger(s) who mustundertake the responsibility for traffic control. Itmust not be assumed that employees willunderstand their duties without careful andcomplete instructions. An uninformed flaggercan cause confusion and accidents. On theother hand, proper instructions will increase hisor her interest, encourage better performance,develop sound judgment for use in difficultsituations, and enhance better public relations.It is the duty of the supervisors and foremen tosee that all guidelines are followed. Anysupervisor, foreman, or crew member should nothesitate to identify and correct any carelessnessthat may lead to an accident. Particular attentionshould be given to proper training andawareness of each individual responsible for thetraffic control, and to special items such as theproper treatment of emergency vehicles andcrews, the correct response to an accident(both with and without bodily injury), etc.12
It is impractical in this booklet to cover the vastnumber of situations that will arise during thecourse of work which may require special trafficcontrol. We must, therefore, depend uponsupervisory personnel to plan each particularaction and supervise the placement of signs,traffic control devices, and flaggers. The safetyof the work crew and the motoring public is asimportant as the work you are performing. Takepride in your position as a supervisor or foremanand be proud of your flaggers and the job theyare doing. Be effective in your decisions andcontinue to give the traveling public the safestand most efficient system of highways possible.In an effort to obtain standardized trafficcontrol, the following guidelines should befollowed:1. The selection of persons to be used asflaggers and the assignment of personsalready employed in this capacity areclearly the responsibility of the supervisor orforeman. Flaggers should possess thefollowing minimum qualifications: Adequate training in safe temporary trafficcontrol practices. Good physical condition (including sight,mobility and hearing). Courteous, but firm manner. Neat appearance. Sense of responsibility for safety of themotoring public and the work crew.13
Mental alertness and the ability to react inan emergency.2. The supervisor or foreman shall decidewhich situations require flaggers. A flaggershould be made available when required,even if there is insufficient manpower toperform all of the work activities.3. Flaggers should be instructed in the im portance of the work they are to performbefore being allowed to assume full responsibility for directing traffic.4. Traffic control should be handled in auniform manner.5. Flaggers should be relieved periodicallyduring the course of work to provide amplerest breaks. This can be accomplished by“training” all of the crew members in theproper procedures of flagging and rotatingthem throughout the day. This is veryimportant in maintaining proficient flaggingoperations. The foreman shall have a rosterof the entire staff who have their approvedflagging training.6. Supervisors or foremen must determine thatall required traffic control devices, flaggers,and equipment are in place, and thatmeasures to safeguard the public andemployees have been taken before work isstarted.7. Consideration should be given to thepositioning of the flagger for every workproject. It is important that flaggers standwhere the approaching drivers can seethem in plenty of time to interpret and react14
to the signals to stop, proceed or slowdown. If possible, flaggers should be able tosee the workers.8. When the traffic control devices andflaggers are in place, the supervisor orforeman should drive through the work zoneat the anticipated speed of the motorists inorder to determine the effectiveness of theoverall traffic control system.9. Should a flagger report that a close call ornear accident has occurred after the trafficcontrol has been set up, the supervisor orforeman will take this as an indication thatsomething may be wrong and investigatethe situation. If adjustments are made, thesupervisor or foreman should not leave thejob until behavior of the traffic has beenstudied to be certain that the problem hasbeen corrected.10. “FLAGGERAHEAD”and/or“BEPREPARED TO STOP” signs shall beremoved, covered, folded, or turned ifbeyond the clear zone, during lunch time, atquitting time, and any other time when workis interrupted and the equipment is clear ofthe traveled way for more than 15 minutes.The confidence of the traveling public inthese warning devices must be maintained.11. Advance warning signs and Stop/Slowpaddles shall be replaced when the facesbecome dull or worn.12. All traffic control signs shall be inaccordance with Publications 213 and 236.15
PuBLiCATiON 213gENErAL NOTES* For Pennsylvania Typical Application (PATA)drawing layouts, refer to Publication 213.Refer to the MUTCD when necessary.1. All distances may be adjusted slightly to fitfield conditions.4. The three categories for work duration oftemporary traffic control are:a. Short-Term Stationary Operation - Workthat occupies a location up to 24 hours.b. Long-Term Stationary Operation - Workthat occupies a location more than 24hours.c. Mobile Operation - Work that movesintermittently or continuously at anaverage speed of less than 1 mph (88ft/min).8. All warning sign colors shall have an orangebackground and black border and legendsunless otherwise specified.9. All workers, including flaggers, shall wearhigh-visibility fluorescent orange oryellow-green apparel with retroreflectivematerial that meets the latest ANSI/ISEApublication entitled American NationalStandard for High-Visibility Safety Appareland Headwear.Worker –A person on foot whose duties placehim or her within the right-of-way of astreet or highway.16
10. All flaggers at minimum shall have trainingas per the most current version ofPublication 408, Section 901.3(y) FlaggerTraining.13. Orange flags or flashing yellow warninglights may be used in conjunction with signs.14. Traffic Cones shall only be used during shortterm operations.17. Neither work activity nor storage ofequipment, vehicles, or material shouldoccur within a buffer space.26. Except in an emergency situation, eachflagger station shall be illuminated at nightwith an overhead lighting source having30,000 to 40,000 lumens minimum of lightoutput for an area of not less than 7,500square feet. The lighting source shall havea minimum color temperature of 3,000degrees and a maximum of 4,000 degrees.Position the light so the flaggers can beseen and not cause excessive glare tomotorists traveling through the work zone.27. A red flag shall only be used in anemergency situation when a Stop/SlowPaddle is not available or at intersectionswhere a single flagger is used within theintersection. Additional flaggers shall beused to help control traffic movements at alltimes. When flagging at a signalizedintersection, the signal should be placed inflash mode. If necessary, provide additional17
flaggers to properly control all movementsof the intersection. In locations wheremultiple signalized intersections are locatedin close proximity, multiple intersections maybe placed in flash mode to control the trafficflow through the work zone. Additionalflaggers shall be used to control the trafficmovements through each intersection.28. See the MUTCD, Chapter 6 for additionalguidelines and requirements.18
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A FLAggER ShOuLDhAvE PRIDEProfessional .Andhave a neat, cleanappearance; be properlyattired; be alert andproperly positioned.Responsive .Andable to adjust tochanging conditions.Informed .Andproperly briefed bythe supervisor, and knowthe limits of the work areaand the type of traffic thatwill be encountered.Decisive .Andgive signals that areclear, that motorists andthe crew will understandand comply with.Effective .Andable to efficientlycontrol the flow of ctivePRIDEFlaggers who display PRIDE in their work,will be more effective at controlling the flowof traffic through the work zone.
The flagger shall face road users with the flag and arm lowered from the view of the road users, and shall motion with the free hand for road users to proceed. Flags shall not be waved as a signal for road users to proceed. T A " O" S ' T"a The flagger shall face road users and slowly wave the flag in a sweeping motion of the
Skip Counting Hundreds Chart Skip Counting by 2s, 5s and 10s to 100 Counting to 120 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Count by 2 #1 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Tapir Count by 2 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Antelope Count by 2 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Count by 2 #2 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Count by 2 #3 Dot-to-Dot Zoo: Count by 3 Connect the Dots by 5!
traININg requIremeNt You are required to view a flagging training video and pass a written test before performing any flagging duties. overvIew oF tHe Flagger's Job As a flagger, your main duties are: To guide traffic safely through work zones using the STOP-PROCEED-SLOW flagging procedures. To protect your fellow workers.
left-hand keys contain the following: Dot 1 under the index finger, Dot 2 under the middle finger, dot 3 under the ring finger, and dot 7 under the little finger, while the right-hand contains: Dot 4 under the index finger, Dot 5 under the middle finger, Dot 6 under the ring finger, and Dot 8 under the little finger. These keys are used to .
FLAGGING Flagging alerts the reporter to what you consider most important. It's a good way to emphasize the key point or points you want the reporter to remember. Flagging is simply giving the reporter a verbal clue about what is important: §What your audience needs to know is §The most important thing is §The story no one is telling is
Connecting the Dots: Understanding the Constellations 5 Constellation Creation Rubric 5 3 1 Constellation Created A new constellation was created. A familiar constellation was created. A constellation was copied. Dot-to-Dot Pattern A dot-to-dot pattern was made and easily seen. A dot-to-dot pattern was made but hard to see. Only a partial dot-
Positioned directly above the cursor router buttons is an 8-dot Perkins-style braille keyboard. Going from the center, the left-hand keys contain the following: Dot 1 under the index finger, Dot 2 under the middle finger, dot 3 under the ring finger, and dot 7 under the little finger, while the right-hand contains: Dot 4 under the
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid 2508-19-2 DOT Explosive Trinitrobenzoic acid 129-66-8 DOT Explosive Trinitrochlorobenzene [or] Picryl chloride 88-88-0 DOT Explosive . 1,9-dinitroxy pentamethylene-2,4, 6,8-tetramine DOT Forbidden 1-bromo-3-nitrobenzene 585-79-5 DOT Forbidden 2,2-di-(4,4-di-tert-butylperoxycyclohexyl) propane DOT Forbidden .
Vern Schaefer, ISU David White, ISU George Filz, VT Jie Han, KU Jim Mitchell, VT Linbing Wang, VT . Advisory Board Members State DOT Representatives James Brennan Kansas DOT David Horhota Florida DOT Mark Morvant Louisiana TRC Hooshmand Nikoui Caltrans David Shiells Virginia DOT John Siekmeier Minnesota DOT Design/Build Contractor .
