616.4 Flagger Control (MUTCD Chapter 6D)

616.4.1 Qualifications for Flaggers (MUTCD Section 6D.01)

Standard. Except when performed under emergency conditions, workers engaged in flagging operations on the state highway system shall have successfully completed a recognized flagger training course. Flagger re-certification is required every four years. Contract and permit flaggers shall be certified in accordance with Standard Specifications Section 616.4.3.

Guidance. Because flaggers are responsible for public safety and make the greatest number of contacts with the public of all highway workers, they should be trained in proper traffic control practices and public contact techniques. Flaggers should be able to satisfactorily demonstrate the following abilities:

A. Ability to receive and communicate specific instructions clearly, firmly, and courteously;

B. Ability to move and maneuver quickly in order to avoid danger from errant vehicles;

C. Ability to control signaling devices (such as paddles and flags) in order to provide clear and positive guidance to drivers approaching a TTC zone in frequently changing situations;

D. Ability to understand and apply proper traffic control practices, sometimes in stressful or emergency situations; and

E. Ability to recognize dangerous traffic situations and warn workers in sufficient time to avoid injury.

616.4.2 STOP/SLOW Paddle for Hand-Signaling (MUTCD Section 6D.02)

Guidance. The STOP/SLOW paddle (see Figure 616.4.2) should be the primary and preferred hand-signaling device because the STOP/SLOW paddle gives road users more positive guidance than red flags.

Standard. The STOP/SLOW paddle (R1-1 and WO20-8) shall have an octagonal shape on a rigid handle. When used at night, the STOP/SLOW paddle shall be retroreflectorized.

Option. A STOP/STOP or a SLOW/SLOW paddle may be used in certain situations (see EPG 616.4.5), provided the device meets the size and shape requirements for the STOP/SLOW paddle.

Guidance. The STOP/SLOW paddle should be fabricated from light semi-rigid material.

Support. The optimum method of displaying a STOP or SLOW message is to place the STOP/SLOW paddle on a rigid staff that is tall enough that when the end of the staff is resting on the ground, the message is high enough to be seen by approaching or stopped traffic.

Option. The STOP/SLOW paddle may be modified to improve conspicuity by incorporating either white or red flashing lights on the STOP face, and either white or yellow flashing lights on the SLOW face. The flashing lights may be arranged in any of the following patterns:

A. Two white or red lights, one centered vertically above and one centered vertically below the STOP legend; and/or two white or yellow lights, one centered vertically above and one centered vertically below the SLOW legend;

B. Two white or red lights, one centered horizontally on each side of the STOP legend; and/or two white or yellow lights, one centered horizontally on each side of the SLOW legend;

C. One white or red light centered below the STOP legend; and/or one white or yellow light centered below the SLOW legend;

D. A series of eight or more small white or red lights no larger than ¼ inch in diameter along the outer edge of the paddle, arranged in an octagonal pattern at the eight corners of the border of the STOP face; and/or a series of eight or more small white or yellow lights no larger than ¼ inch in diameter along the outer edge of the paddle, arranged in a diamond pattern along the border of the SLOW face; or

E. A series of white lights forming the shapes of the letters in the legend.

Standard. If flashing lights are used on the STOP face of the paddle, their colors shall be all white or all red. If flashing lights are used on the SLOW face of the paddle, their colors shall be all white or all yellow.

If more than eight flashing lights are used, the lights shall be arranged such that they clearly convey the octagonal shape of the STOP face of the paddle and/or the diamond shape of the SLOW face of the paddle.

If flashing lights are used on the STOP/SLOW paddle, the flash rate shall be at least 50, but not more than 60, flashes per minute.

616.4.2 Use of Hand-Signaling Devices by Flaggers

Figure 616.4.2 Use of Hand-Signaling Devices by Flaggers

616.4.3 Flag for Hand-Signaling (MUTCD Section 6D.03)

Guidance. Use of flags should be limited to emergency situations.

Standard. Flags, when used, shall be red or fluorescent orange-red in color, shall be a minimum of 24 inches square, and shall be securely fastened to a staff that is approximately 36 inches in length. Flags shall only be used until a STOP/SLOW paddle is available.

Guidance. The free edge of a flag should be weighted so the flag will hang vertically, even in heavy winds.

Standard. When used at nighttime, flags shall be retroreflectorized.

616.4.4 Flashlight for Hand-Signaling (MUTCD Section 6D.04)

Option. When flagging in an emergency situation at night in a non-illuminated flagger station, a flagger may use a flashlight with a red glow cone to supplement the STOP/SLOW paddle or flag.

Standard. When a flashlight is used for flagging in an emergency situation at night in a non-illuminated flagger station, the flagger shall hold the flashlight in the left hand, shall hold the paddle or flag in the right hand as shown in Figure 616.4.2, and shall use the flashlight in the following manner to control approaching road users:

A. To inform road users to stop, the flagger shall hold the flashlight with the left arm extended and pointed down toward the ground, and then shall slowly wave the flashlight in front of the body in a slow arc from left to right such that the arc reaches no farther than 45 degrees from vertical.

B. To inform road users to proceed, the flagger shall point the flashlight at the vehicle’s bumper, slowly aim the flashlight toward the open lane, then hold the flashlight in that position. The flagger shall not wave the flashlight.

C. To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall point the flashlight toward oncoming traffic and quickly wave the flashlight in a Figure eight motion.

616.4.5 Flagger Procedures (MUTCD Section 6D.05)

Support. The use of paddles and flags by flaggers is illustrated in Figure 616.4.2.

Standard. Flaggers shall use a STOP/SLOW paddle, a flag, or an Automated Flagger Assistance Device (AFAD) (see EPG 616.12.2 through EPG 616.12.4) to control road users approaching a TTC zone. The use of hand movements alone without a paddle, flag, or AFAD to control road users shall be prohibited when controlling traffic in a one-lane two-way operation except when the control is provided by emergency responders at incident scenes as described in EPG 616.15.1 or provided by uniformed law enforcement officers.

The following methods of signaling with a paddle shall be used:

A. To stop road users, the flagger shall stand on the shoulder, face road users and aim the STOP paddle face toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The free arm shall be held with the palm of the hand above shoulder level toward approaching traffic.

B. To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall walk to shoulder while keeping the STOP paddle face toward road users. The flagger shall then stand on the shoulder and face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The flagger shall motion with the free hand in a sweeping motion for road users to proceed.

C. To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall stand on the shoulder, face road users with the SLOW paddle face aimed toward road users in a stationary position with the arm extended horizontally away from the body. The flagger shall motion up and down with the free hand, palm down.

Standard The following methods of signaling with a flag shall be used:

A. To stop road users, the flagger shall stand on the shoulder, face road users and extend 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 shoulder level toward approaching traffic.

B. To direct stopped road users to proceed, the flagger shall walk to shoulder while keeping the flag staff extended 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 flagger shall then stand on the shoulder and face road users with the flag and arm lowered from the view of the road users, and shall motion with the free hand in a sweeping motion for road users to proceed. Flags shall not be used to signal road users to proceed.

C. To alert or slow traffic, the flagger shall stand on shoulder, face road users and slowly wave 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.

Guidance. The flagger should stand on the shoulder adjacent to the road user being controlled prior to stopping road users. The flagger may walk from the shoulder toward the center line of the roadway after making eye contact with the driver of the first approaching vehicle. A flagger should only stand in the lane being used by moving road users after road users have stopped. The flagger should be clearly visible to the first approaching road user at all times. The flagger also should be visible to other road users. The flagger should be stationed sufficiently in advance of the workers to warn them (for example, with audible warning devices such as horns or whistles) of approaching danger by out-of-control vehicles. The flagger should stand alone, away from other workers, work vehicles, or equipment.

Option. In certain conditions, it may be more appropriate for a flagger to use a STOP/STOP or a SLOW/SLOW paddle to convey the appropriate message to approaching road users and avoid confusing those that are approaching the operation from the opposing direction.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-EPG 616.5.3.1 to 616.5.3.7 should be included in a separate box after 6D.05. Additionally, EPG 616.5.7.2 should be included at the end of the box

616.4.6 Flagger Stations (MUTCD Section 6D.06)

Standard. Except as provided in the following Option paragraph, flagger stations shall be located such that approaching road users will have sufficient distance to stop at an intended stopping point.

Option. If sufficient stopping sight distance is not achievable, the location of the flagger station may be modified based on engineering judgment.

The distances shown in Table 616.2.6, which provides information regarding the stopping sight distance as a function of speed, may be used for the location of a flagger station. These distances may be increased for downgrades and other conditions that affect stopping distance.

Guidance. Flagger stations should be located such that an errant vehicle has additional space to stop without entering the work space. The flagger should identify an escape route that can be used to avoid being struck by an errant vehicle.

Standard. Except in emergency situations, flagger stations shall be preceded by an advance warning sign or signs. Except in emergency situations, flagger stations shall be illuminated when flagging is used at night. The minimum required illuminance for flagging operation activity is 5 foot-candles.

Spacing between flagger and flagger symbol sign shall not exceed one mile.

Option. When the maximum allowable work zone length cannot be attained due to this limitation, additional flagger symbol signs may be staged throughout the length of the work zone. In such instances, the flagger symbol signs are set up and removed as work progresses so only one sign is displayed in each direction and that sign is no more than one mile in advance of the flagger.

-/-/-/-/-/-/-EPG 616.5.8 content should be included in a separate box after 6D.06