Flagger11r.qxd:Wisc.

FlaggersHandbook 2/28/11 2:37 PM Page 1

Information and Training

For information, copies of this pocket guide,
and training opportunities in work zone traffic
control, flagging, or other street and highway
design, operation and maintenance topics,
contact the Wisconsin Transportation Information
Center, a project of the University of Wisconsin–
Madison Department of Engineering Professional
Development, funded as a Local Transportation
Assistance Program by the Federal Highway
Administration, Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, and UW–Extension.

Transportation Information Center – LTAP

University of Wisconsin-Madison
432 N. Lake Street
Madison, WI 53706
TEL 800-442-4615
Flagger’s
Handbook
FAX 608-263-3160
EMAIL [email protected]
WEB SITE http://tic.engr.wisc.edu

Transportation Information Center – LTAP

University of Wisconsin–Madison

March 2011
Flagger11r.qxd:Wisc.FlaggersHandbook 2/28/11 2:38 PM Page

Name
Flagger11r.qxd:Wisc.FlaggersHandbook 2/28/11 2:38 PM Page

Flagger’s Safety

Your safety, the safety of your

co-workers, and the safety
of the public is critical and
depends on your alertness and
your ability to control traffic
Flagger11r.qxd:Wisc.FlaggersHandbook 2/28/11 2:38 PM Page

The information in this manual is intended

to illustrate the principles of proper flagging,
but it does not establish standards or
warrants. Part 6 of the MUTCD and the
Wisconsin MUTCD Supplement contain
the standards for proper flagging. These
standards are highlighted in yellow in the
text of this handbook.
Flagger11r.qxd:Wisc.FlaggersHandbook 2/28/11 2:38 PM Page

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
The Basic Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Appearance & Attention . . . . . . . . . . 4
Advance Warning Signs . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Sign Placement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Sign Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Hills and Curves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Stopping Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Walking into the Road . . . . . . . . 9
Releasing Traffic/Closed Lane . . . 9
Releasing Traffic/Open Lane . . . 11
Slowing Traffic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
“All Clear” Signal . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Flagger Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Single Flagger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Two Flaggers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Pilot Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Night Flagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
One-direction Control . . . . . . . .17
Emergency Flagging . . . . . . . . . 18
Do’s of Flagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Don’ts of Flagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
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Introduction

As a flagger, you have a very important job. It

should be carried out with authority and dignity,
using proper flagging techniques. Your co-workers
and the motoring public are relying on you to
safely control traffic.
You have been chosen because your supervisor
believes that
• You have good sight, hearing, mobility, and
physical stamina.
• You are alert and able to react quickly in a
dangerous situation to warn your co-workers
and keep yourself safe.
• You have the personal presence and people
skills to gain respect and motorist compliance.
• You have been properly trained in flagging
procedures and they have become second
nature to you.

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The Basic Functions

• To guide traffic safely through the work area.
• To protect the lives of workers.
• To avoid unreasonable delays to motorists.
• To answer questions courteously.

Courtesy is important. Your actions

reflect on you and your employer.

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Equipment
The STOP/SLOW paddle is your primary 18” Min.
traffic control device. The sign shall be

18” Min.
octagonal, at least 18” x 18” with 6” high
letters and shall be mounted on a rigid
handle. A 5’ minimum mounting height is
required on state construction jobs. A 6’ or
7’ mounting height makes it easier to see.
To make the paddle more visible, an octagonal
24”x 24” sign with 8” high letters may be used.
A larger sign may be harder to handle on windy days.
The stop/slow paddle may have either white or red
flashing lights on the stop face and either white or
yellow flashing lights on the slow face. Standards
for the flashing lights, arrangements, patterns, flash
rates are in MUTCD 6E.03.
You shall wear a vest, shirt, or jacket that is
either fluorescent orange-red or fluorescent
yellow-green that meets ANSI Std. 107-2004
Class 2. For night flagging ANSI Std. Class 3
should be considered. Some agencies or
companies may require a specific color or
ANSI class.
A brightly colored hat may make you more visible.
Hard hats may be required by your agency.
Uniformed law enforcement officers/first responders
shall wear ANSI Std. 107-2004 or 207-2006 when
flagging.
Safe and appropriate footwear should be worn.
Flaggers must be able to communicate with
each other. Two-way radios are best.
An air horn can be used to alert co-workers.

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Except in emergency situations,

proper signs shall be in place before
flagging begins, and removed, covered,
or laid flat when not flagging.
Night flagging requires auxiliary lighting and all
traffic control devices to be retroreflectorized.
Flags should only be used in emergency situations.
(DETAILS ON PAGE 18) Experience has shown that it is
very difficult to direct motorists by waving a flag.

Appearance & Attention

Your appearance and attention

are critical to gaining motorist
respect and compliance.

• Maintain a neat appearance— do not wear attire

that could distract motorists.
• Remain alert— do not be distracted by portable
electronic devices or reading material.

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Advance Warning Signs

Except in emergencies, flagger stations shall be
preceded by proper advanced warning signs, such
as the layout shown here.
AHEAD

C
WORK
ROAD

AHEAD
ROAD

B
ONE LANE

END

A A
ROAD WORK
(Optional)
200'
to
300' 100'

Lane Closure on

Buffer
a Two-Lane Road
(Two Flagger
Operation) Taper
50' MIN to
100' MAX

A
A

B
ROAD WORK
END

(Optional)
ONE LANE
ROAD

C
AHEAD

ROAD
WORK
Speed Sign
AHEAD
Limit Spacing Buffer
(mph) A, B, C (ft) (ft)
25 *200 155 Notes
30 *200 200
1. The flaggers shall use approved
35 350 250
flagging procedures according
40 350 305 to the MUTCD.
45 500 360
2. For short duration work (60 minutes
50 500 425 or less), the ROAD WORK AHEAD
55 500 495 sign may be omitted.
* On low-speed urban streets, 3. BE PREPARED TO STOP sign may be
sign spacing may be as short used between the ONE LANE AHEAD
as 100 feet when field
conditions dictate.
and FLAGGER sign.

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Sign Placement

Except in emergencies, do NOT

begin flagging until advance
warning signs are in place.

Sign Removal
Do NOT mislead
the public.

When work is suspended, even

for short periods of time, signs that
are no longer appropriate shall be
removed, covered, or laid flat.

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Position
You should stand on the shoulder adjacent to the
traffic being controlled and be clearly visible to traffic.
You should stand alone and never allow workers to
gather around you. Normally, after you have stopped
the first vehicle, you will remain on the shoulder. If
additional vehicles arrive and they cannot clearly see
your paddle, you may walk toward the center of the
road so they can. Stay at least 2 to 3 feet away from
the centerline. Remember to watch out for traffic
that may be coming from behind you.

STOP

Never stand in the path of or

turn your back on traffic. Always
plan and maintain an escape path.

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Hills and Curves

When flagging near a hill or curve, take a position in

advance of the hill or curve. Make sure you are visible
to approaching traffic. A longer buffer space may be
used over the hill or around the curve as shown.

Never take a position over the crest

of a hill or around a sharp curve.

Relay

Communication between flaggers is critical under

these conditions. The best way to maintain
communications is two-way radios, but relay
flaggers, a pilot car, or the flag-carrying method
could also be used.

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Signals
Stopping Traffic
Stand in a safe position on the shoulder facing traffic.
Hold the paddle away from your body and placed on
or near the edge of the travel lane with the STOP sign
facing traffic. Raise your free hand above shoulder
height with the palm facing the approaching vehicle
and make eye contact with the driver.
Change to the STOP only if an approaching vehicle
has plenty of distance to gradually stop. Avoid
screeching halts.

Walking into the Road

After you have stopped the first vehicle, you will
usually remain on the shoulder of the road in your
normal flagging location. If additional vehicles arrive
and they cannot clearly see your STOP paddle, then
you may walk out toward the center of the roadway.
Do not cross the centerline. Stay at least 2 to 3 feet
away from the centerline and remember to watch
out for traffic that may be coming from behind you.
To prepare to release traffic, move back to your
normal position on the shoulder with the paddle
remaining on STOP.

Releasing Traffic – Closed Lane

Stand on the shoulder of the closed lane with
your paddle turned to STOP facing traffic. Wait
for an “all clear” signal from the other flagger.

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Once the “all clear” is received, turn the paddle

to SLOW and with your free arm, signal drivers to
proceed into the open lane. Be direct and clear with
your hand signal. Point to the vehicle and then to
the open lane.

Releasing Traffic – Open lane

Stand on the shoulder of the open lane with your
paddle turned to STOP, wait for the “all clear” signal
from the other flagger. Once the “all clear” is
received, take a step or two back from the edge of
the traffic lane and turn the paddle to SLOW.
With your free arm, signal drivers to proceed in the
open lane. Be direct and clear with your hand signal.
Point to the vehicle and then to the open lane.
After traffic clears, turn your paddle to STOP before
returning to the shoulder position.

Slowing Traffic
Stand on the shoulder facing traffic.
With the SLOW sign turned toward traffic, you may
slowly raise and lower your free arm with the palm
facing down in front of your paddle.

“All Clear” Signal

When two or more flaggers are used, they must
always be able to communicate with one another.
Two-way radios are preferred, but visual signals, a
pilot car, or the flag-carrying method may be used.
If visual contact is possible, then the “all clear” signal
can be given by lifting your hat or paddle. When you
give this signal, you are telling the other flagger that
you have traffic stopped and it is okay to release
traffic.

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Flagging Operations
Single Flagger
For low volume situations (no more than three vehicles
passing through the work site in a five-minute period)
and short work areas on straight roads, a single flagger
may sometimes be used to control traffic.
The flagger must be visible to both directions of traffic.
Standing on the shoulder opposite the work area, the
flagger directs traffic with the STOP/SLOW paddle.
When visibility is poor, or when one flagger cannot
control traffic, use two flaggers.

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Two Flaggers
Using a flagger on each end of the work zone
to control traffic is the most common operation.
One flagger should be designated lead flagger to
coordinate the operation.
Begin with both flaggers displaying STOP to
approaching traffic. The lead flagger decides which
direction to release first. Communication between
flaggers is critical and can be maintained by:
Visual contact Flaggers must be close enough to
read each other’s STOP/SLOW paddles and see
each other’s “all clear” signals. Use signals that can
not be mistaken for flagging signals. Lifting the hat
or raising and lowering the STOP/SLOW paddle are
proper “all clear” signals.
Two-way radio The best means of communication,
even when there is visual contact.
Flag transfer The driver of the last vehicle in the
platoon is given a flag and instructed to give it to the
flagger at the other end. This route should be one
mile or less.
Relay flagger A relay flagger is positioned to be
seen by both of the other flaggers and relays the
signals between flaggers.

Only after the “all clear” signal

comes from the other flagger
should you release traffic.
If in doubt, stop
all traffic!

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Pilot Car
A pilot car may be used to guide a train of vehicles
through a work area or detour. This operation
uses a flagger at each end of the one lane section.
Control of traffic at side roads and intersections
also needs to be considered when using a pilot car.
This method works best when the route is
particularly long or unclear for the motorist or
where the work area changes often.
In this operation, the flaggers hold all traffic on
each end of the work area until the pilot car arrives
and leads the traffic through the work zone.
Provisions should be made so that the flagger at
the other end can identify the last vehicle in the
train. Do not allow a late vehicle to try to catch up.
A safe turn-around location should be provided
for the pilot car at each end of the work zone.

A sign with ”PILOT CAR

FOLLOW ME” shall be
mounted on the rear
of the pilot car.

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Night Flagging
Night flagging procedures are generally the same
as daytime except for some equipment changes:
• Retroreflectorized STOP/SLOW paddles
shall be used.
• High-visibility apparel meeting ANSI Std.
Class 3 should be considered.
• A flashlight with red glowcone may be used
to provide additional guidance to motorists
• Except in emergency situations, night flagging
stations shall be illuminated by auxiliary lighting.
• Flashing yellow warning lights may be used on the
advanced warning signs and flares can be used.

To stop vehicles, stand on the

shoulder and face traffic with the
stop sign in the right hand and
flashlight with red glowcone, if
used, in the left hand. Slowly
wave the flashlight back and forth
in front of your body. Don’t let the
arc extend beyond the base of the
paddle staff.
To release traffic, point from the
driver to the open lane with the
flashlight and hold in that position.
Do not wave the flashlight when
releasing traffic—this may confuse
the driver.

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One-direction Control
When work vehicles occasionally block one lane
of a two-lane, two-way road, such as when
loading or unloading, a flagger can control just
one direction of traffic. The other direction of
traffic is not stopped.
Stop traffic in the usual manner, and release the
vehicles when work does not block the lane.
When releasing traffic, turn the paddle a
quarter-turn so that the word STOP faces you.
This way, the STOP message will not confuse
the traffic coming from either direction.

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Emergency Flagging
Flags may be used to control traffic during
emergency work operations until STOP/SLOW
paddles can be obtained. STOP/SLOW paddles give
drivers more positive guidance than flags.
Use of hand movements alone are prohibited except
for law enforcement personnel or first responders.

When used, flags shall be at least 24 inches square,

of red or fluorescent orange/red material, and be
attached to a staff approximately 36” long.
The free edge of the flag should be
weighted so the flag will hang vertically,
even in heavy winds.
To stop traffic, stand on the 24”
shoulder of the road and Min.

extend the flag across the 24”

Min.
traffic lane. Raise your free
hand to the stop position.
To release traffic, lower the
flag to your side and with your
free arm motion traffic to
proceed. Do not use the flag
to motion traffic through.
To alert and show traffic,
extend the flag staff and slowly
move the flag up and down in
a sweeping motion between
shoulder height and straight
down. Keep your free
hand down.

Replace flags with STOP/SLOW

paddles as soon as possible.

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The Do’s of Flagging

Do Stay alert at all times.
Do Use clear and distinct hand signals
when directing traffic.
Do Stand on the shoulder of the road out
of the path of oncoming traffic.
Do Have a good idea of the day’s work
schedule to answer motorist’s questions.
Do Treat motorists courteously.
Do Use proper equipment and warning signs.
Do Wear proper clothing and shoes.
Do Stand alone
to be visible.
Do Plan an escape
route.
Do Report vehicles
that violate the
traffic controls.
Do Consult your
Flagger’s
Handbook or
your supervisor,
if you have
questions about
your flagging
duties.

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The Don’ts of Flagging

Don’t Stand in an open lane.
Don’t Make unnecessary conversation with
workers, pedestrians, or motorists.
Don’t Give flagging directions against a
traffic signal.
Don’t Stand in the shade, over the crest
of a hill, or around a sharp curve.
Don’t Sit down or flag from a vehicle.
Don’t Leave your station until someone
takes your place.
Don’t Daydream or read while on duty.
Don’t Leave flagger signs in place when
not flagging.
Don’t talk on a cell-
phone or text
while on duty.
Don’t Bring radios
or MP3 players.
Don’t Stand near
equipment or
vehicle, including
your own.
Don’t Stand with a
group of people.
Don’t Stand next to a
bridge railing,
barrier, or wall.
Don’t Turn your back
on traffic.

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Acknowledgements
Previous editions of the Flagger’s Handbook
were adapted for use in Wisconsin by the
Wisconsin Department of Transportation
(WisDOT) and the Wisconsin Transportation
Information Center (TIC) from one produced
by the Institute for Transportation Research
and Education (ITRE) at North Carolina State
University. This new edition includes changes
contained in the 2009 MUTCD and the
Wisconsin Supplement.
The Wisconsin team that produced this edition
included representatives of the construction,
maintenance, and traffic sections of WisDOT,
TIC workzone training instructors, and the
University of Wisconsin–Madison Transportation
Information Center.

Information
Transportation Information Center
University of Wisconsin-Madison
432 N. Lake Street, Room 741
Madison, WI 53706
TEL 800-442-4615
FAX 608-263-3160
EMAIL [email protected]
WEBSITE http://tic.engr.wisc.edu/

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Notes

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Information and Training

For information, copies of this pocket guide,
and training opportunities in work zone traffic
control, flagging, or other street and highway
design, operation and maintenance topics,
contact the Wisconsin Transportation Information
Center, a project of the University of Wisconsin–
Madison Department of Engineering Professional
Development, funded as a Local Transportation
Assistance Program by the Federal Highway
Administration, Wisconsin Department of
Transportation, and UW–Extension.

Transportation Information Center – LTAP

University of Wisconsin-Madison
432 N. Lake Street
Madison, WI 53706
TEL 800-442-4615
Flagger’s
Handbook
FAX 608-263-3160
EMAIL [email protected]
WEB SITE http://tic.engr.wisc.edu

Transportation Information Center – LTAP

University of Wisconsin–Madison

March 2011