This document provides guidance for flaggers directing traffic at work sites. It outlines proper flagging procedures such as using STOP/SLOW paddles as the primary signaling method. Flaggers must be visible far ahead of approaching traffic, leave time to get out of the way if needed, and always face traffic. The document describes proper hand signals for stopping, directing, and alerting traffic using flags. It stresses the importance of safety, visibility, hydration, and switching flagging duties among crew members. Supervisors should demonstrate and test crew knowledge of flagging procedures.

1. Construction Safety Talks
Flagging Some Things To Know Before You Give Your Talk.
Traffic: As a supervisor, you know that flagging is provided at work sites
Using Flags either to stop traffic intermittently or to maintain continuous traffic
flow past the work site at a reduced speed. Its purpose is to
No. 68 protect both the motorist and the work crew.
Signs need to be posted at least 100 feet before the flagger
notifying road users of the upcoming workzone. You need to
How This Talk remind your crew that whenever they are the flagger, they must be
Applies To My visible at all times to approaching traffic far enough ahead to allow
Crew: for enough time for the oncoming vehicles to respond. They must
also leave themselves time to get out of the way if the driver
doesn't respond to their signals. And they should always face
traffic.
Tell your crew that flaggers must be neat, courteous, patient, and
have a good sense of responsibility.
A STOP/SLOW paddle should be the primary method of hand
signaling traffic as they are easier for motorists to see and
understand. , Flags are permissible for emergency use when used
in the following manner.
1. TO STOP TRAFFIC the flagger faces road users, extending
the flag staff horizontally across the road users lane in a
stationary position so that the full area of the flag is visibly
hanging below the staff. The free arm shall be held with the
palm of the hand above the shoulder level toward
approaching traffic.
2. TO DIRECT TRAFFIC TO MOVE the flagger stands parallel
to the road user movement and with flag and arm lowered
from the view of the road users, shall motion with the free
hand for road users to proceed. Flags shall not be used to
signal road users to proceed.
3. TO ALERT OR SLOW TRAFFIC the flagger faces road
users and slowly waves the flag in a sweeping motion of the
extended arm from shoulder level to straight down without
raising the arm above a horizontal position. The flagger
shall keep the free hand down.
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2. 4. When used at night, the flag shall been made of retroreflective material. The
flagger’s station should be illuminated.
5. Warn all workers in the workzone when a vehicle fails to obey your signal. Only
then can you try to get the license number.
6. If for some reason you must leave your post, call for a replacement. Don't leave
the job unguarded.
7. Drink plenty of water.
8. Swap the flagger responsibilities among other employees so that the job doesn’t
get boring and they become less alert.
To Stop Traffic
Traffic Proceed
To Alert and Slow Traffic
Try This For Show And Tell!
Demonstrate the proper way to flag traffic and have every member of the crew prove to
you that they know how to do it.
Questions You Can Use To Get Them Talking:
• Have all of you been trained in flagging procedures?
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3. • Should you face the traffic or the work site?
• Has anyone ever had an accident - or know of one - involving flagging traffic?
Attended By:
The illustrations, instructions and principles contained in the material are general in scope and, to the best of our knowledge, current at
the time of publication. No attempt has been made to interpret any referenced codes, standards or regulations. Please refer to the
appropriate code, standard or regulation making authority for interpretation or clarification.
© 2003 Liberty Mutual Group – All Rights Reserved 3