FLAGGING

INSTRUCTION
HANDBOOK

October 2014

This instruction handbook is for

informational purposes only.

NOTE:

These guidelines are for flagging

operations.

In this manual, the term traffic

means vehicles, pedestrians,

bicyclists, and other users of the

roads.

California Department of Transportation

Division of Construction

October 2014

FlaggingInstructionHandbook

Contents
FLAGGERBASICS...........................................................................1

FlaggerTrainingRequirements..................................................1

FlaggerAbilities.........................................................................1

FLAGGERSTATIONS......................................................................2

Location....................................................................................2

RumbleStrips............................................................................4

FlaggerOperations....................................................................5

FLAGGINGEQUIPMENT.................................................................7

HighVisibilitySafetyApparel....................................................7

HandSignalingDevices.............................................................7

STOP/SLOWPaddle...............................................................................8

Flags......................................................................................................9

AdvanceWarningSigns.............................................................9

AdditionalEquipment...............................................................9

FLAGGERPROCEDURES...............................................................10

UsingtheSTOP/SLOWPaddle.................................................10

Objective.............................................................................................10

Procedure...........................................................................................10

UsingFlags..............................................................................14

OneLane,TwoWayTrafficControl........................................15

SingleFlagger......................................................................................15

TwoFlaggers.......................................................................................15

PilotCar..............................................................................................15

OfficialCar..........................................................................................16

UrgentSituations....................................................................16

DealingwithEmergencyVehicles.......................................................16

TrafficControlViolations....................................................................17

TrafficAccidents.................................................................................17

DealingwithHostileIndividuals..........................................................17

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FlaggingInstructionHandbook

FLAGGER BASICS

Flagger Training Requirements

Section1599,Flaggers,oftheConstructionSafetyOrders
(CaliforniaCodeofRegulations[CCR]Title8,Subchapter4)
requiresthatflaggersbetrainedinthefundamentalsof
flaggingmovingtrafficbeforebeingassignedasflaggers.The
trainingrequirementsforflaggersareincludedinthe
CaliforniaManualonUniformTrafficControlDevices,
Chapter6.
Trainingmustbeprovidedbyapersonwiththequalifications
andtheexperiencenecessarytoeffectivelyinstructthe
employeeandmustbedocumentedasrequiredbySection
3203,InjuryandIllnessPreventionProgram,oftheGeneral
IndustrySafetyOrders(8CCRSubchapter7).

Flagger Abilities
Flaggersareresponsibleforpublicsafetyandfortemporary
trafficcontrol.Becauseflaggershavefrequentcontactwith
traffic,theyshoulddemonstratethefollowingabilities:
Receiveandcommunicatespecificinstructionsclearly,
firmly,andcourteously.
Moveandmaneuverquicklytoavoiddangerfromerrant
vehicles.
Controlsignalingdevices(suchaspaddlesandflags)to
provideclearandpositiveguidancetodrivers
approachingatemporarytrafficcontrolzoneinfrequently
changingsituations.
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Demonstrateproperflaggingmethodologyand
operations.
DemonstratetheproperuseoftheSTOP/SLOWpaddle
andhandsignalsbeforebeingassignedasaflagger.
Understandthelayoutoftheworkzoneandflagging
station.
Understandandapplysafetrafficcontrolpractices,
sometimesinstressfuloremergencysituations.
Hear,see,andrecognizedangeroustrafficsituationsand
warnworkersinsufficienttimetoavoidinjury.

FLAGGER STATIONS

Location
Flaggerstationsmustbelocatedsuchthatthetraveling
publichassufficientdistancetostopatanintended
stoppingpointbeforeenteringtheworkspace.Flagger
stationsshouldbeprecededbyadvancewarningsigns.
Exceptinemergencysituations,flaggerstationsmustbe
illuminatedduringhoursofdarknesswithaminimum20
footdiameterilluminationfootprint(at10footcandlesper
CSO1523)sotheflaggerisclearlyvisibletoapproaching
traffic.
Locationandvisibilityareimportantfactorsinflagging
operations.Observethefollowing:
Placeflaggerstationsatpointsofmaximumvisibility,
preferablyattheendoftangentsections.
Flaggerstationsshouldbeontheshoulderandopposite
totheactiveworkarea.
Ensurethatflaggersareeasilyidentifiedbytrafficandnot
confusedwithotherworkersinthearea.
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Covercompletely,turnorremoveC9A(CA)flagger
symbolandW34BEPREPAREDTOSTOPsignswhen
flaggersarenolongerneeded.
Parkallvehiclesawayfromtheflaggerstation.
Thechartbelowshowsthedistanceofflaggerstationsin
advanceofworkspaces.
Distance of Flagger Station

in Advance of the Work Space

(2010RevisedStandardPlanT9)
TABLE 2

LONGITUDINAL BUFFER SPACE AND

FLAGGER STATION SPACING
DOWNGRADE Min D ***
SPEED*

Min D**

-3%

-6%

-9%

mph

ft

ft

ft

ft

20

115

116

120

126

25

155

158

165

173

30

200

205

215

227

35

250

257

271

287

40

305

315

333

354

45

360

378

400

427

50

425

446

474

507

55

495

520

553

593

60

570

598

638

686

65

645

682

728

785

70

730

771

825

891

75

820

866

927

1003

Speedispostedspeedlimit,offpeak85thpercentilespeedpriorto
workstarting,ortheanticipatedoperatingspeedinmph.
** Longitudinalbufferspaceorflaggerstationspacing.
*** Useonsustaineddowngradesteeperthan3percentandlonger
than1mile.

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Rumble Strips
StandardSpecialProvision123.19PortableTransverse
RumbleStrips,requirestheuseofportabletransverse
rumblestripsinconjunctionwithflaggingoperationson
twolaneconventionalhighways.
Portabletransverserumblestripsmaybeusedtoalertroad
usersofupcomingtrafficcontrols,speedreductions,
changesinroadwayalignment,orconditionsrequiringa
completestop.
Thecontractormustdevelopaplanonhowtoplacethe
transverserumblestripsaspartofthetrafficcontrolopera
tions.PlacementmustbeinaccordancewithRevisedStan
dardPlan(RSP)T13andasfollows:
Mustbeusedonlyontangentsectionsofroadway.
Mustnotbeplacedthroughpedestriancrossingsor
throughbikelanes.
Mustbereadjustediftheyshiftorbecomeoutofalign
mentmorethan6inches.
Portabletransverserumblestripsarenotrequiredifany
oneofthefollowingconditionsismet:
Workdurationis4hoursorless.
Postedspeedlimitislessthan45mph.
Workisofemergencynature.
Workzoneisinsnowor icyweatherconditions.

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Flagger Operations
Theflaggershouldstandeitherontheshoulderadjacentto
thetrafficbeingcontrolledorintheclosedlanebefore
stoppingvehicletraffic.Aflaggershouldonlystandinthe
lanebeingusedbymovingtrafficaftertraffichasstopped.
Theflaggershouldbestationedsufficientlyinadvanceof
workerstowarnthem(forexample,withaudiblewarning
devicessuchashorns,whistles,etc.)ofapproachingdanger
byoutofcontrolvehicles.
Theflaggershouldbeclearlyvisibletoalltrafficatalltimes,
andshouldobservethefollowing:
Standalonenexttotheactiveworkarea.Donotallow
otherworkerstocongregatearoundtheflaggerstation.
Stayoutofareasthatareinshadows;donotblendwith
thebackground.
Placepersonalitemsoutoftheway,sotheywillnot
distractapproachingtrafficorblockyourescaperoute.
Keeptheflaggerstationcleanandorganized,eliminating
distractionslikechairs,books,orpersonalradios.
Donotlean,sit,orlieonavehicle.
Ataspotconstruction,theflaggermayhavetotakea
positionontheshoulderoppositetheclosedsectionin
ordertooperateeffectively.

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Road conditions affect

stopping distance.
Stoppingdistancesvaryaccordingtoroadandweather
conditions.Onanicyroad,forexample,avehiclemaytravel
fourtimesthedistanceitwouldrequiretostopondry
pavement.
Thefollowingchartcomparesstoppingdistancesfora
varietyofroadconditions.Itmaybeusedtodeterminethe
visibilitydistancefortrafficapproachingtheflagger.

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Atspotlaneclosureswhereadequatesightdistanceis
availableforthesafehandlingoftraffic,oneflaggermaybe
sufficient.

FLAGGING EQUIPMENT

High-Visibility Safety Apparel

FlaggersmustwearANSI/ISEA1072004orequivalent
revisionClass3apparelwithabackground(outer)material
colorthatiseitherfluorescentorangeredorfluorescent
yellowgreen,asdefinedinthe
standard.Theretroreflectivematerial
mustbeorange,yellow,white,silver,
yellowgreen,orafluorescentversion
ofthesecolorsandmustbevisibleata
minimumdistanceof1000feet.
Theretroreflectiveclothing,orthe
retroreflectivematerialaddedtothe
clothing,mustbedesignedtoclearlyidentifytheweareras
apersonandmusthaveaminimumofonehorizontalstripe
aroundthetorso.Highvisibilityclothingmustbekeptclean
andingoodrepairorreplaced.

Flaggers must wear safety glasses

and a white hardhat.
Whenuniformedlawenforcementofficersareused,they
shouldwearhighvisibilityclothingasdescribedaboveor
ANSI/ISEA2072006orequivalentrevision.

Hand-Signaling Devices
Handsignalingdevices,suchasSTOP/SLOWpaddles,lights,
andredflags,areusedtocontrolthevehiclesthrough
temporarytrafficcontrolzones,andmustbevisibletothe
firstapproachingvehicleatalltimes.
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STOP/SLOW Paddle
TheSTOP/SLOWpaddleisthe
primaryandpreferredhand
signalingdevice.TheSTOP/SLOW
paddlemusthaveanoctagonal
shapeonarigidhandle.STOP/
SLOWpaddlesmustbeatleast18
incheswidewithlettersatleast6
incheshighandshouldbe
fabricatedfromlight,semirigid
material.Thebackgroundofthe
STOPfacemustberedorfluorescentredwithwhite
lettersandborder.ThebackgroundoftheSLOWface
mustbeorangeorfluorescentorangewithblackletters
andborder.Whenusedatnight,the
STOP/SLOWpaddlemustbe
retroreflectorized.
TheSTOP/SLOWpaddlemaybe
modifiedtoimprovevisibilityby
incorporatingredflashinglightson
theSTOPface,andyellowflashing
lightsontheSLOWface.Twolights
maybeinstalledandcentered
verticallyaboveandbelowtheSTOP/SLOWlegend,or
centeredhorizontallyoneachsideoftheSTOP/SLOW
legend.Insteadoftheabovetwolightarrangements,one
lightmaybecenteredbelowtheSTOP/SLOWlegend.
TheSTOP/SLOWpaddlemustbeusedwitharigidstafftall
enoughthatwhentheendofthestaffisrestingonthe
ground,thebottomoftheSTOP/SLOWpaddleisa
minimumof6feetabovethepavement.A24x24inch
STOP/SLOWpaddlemaybeusedwheregreateremphasis
isneededandspeedsare30mphormore.
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Flags
Flagsmustonlybeusedin
emergencysituationsandonly
untilaSTOP/SLOWpaddleis
available.
Flagsmustbeaminimum24inches
square,madeofagoodgraderedmaterial,andsecurely
fastenedtoastaffthatisapproximately36incheslong.The
freeedgeofaflagshouldbeweightedsotheflagwillhang
vertically,eveninheavyheavywinds.Flagsmustbe
retroreflectorizedwhenusedatnighttime.

Advance Warning
Signs
Eachadvancewarningsignineach
directionoftravelmustbe
equippedwithatleasttwoflagsfor
daytimeclosures.Eachflagmustbe
atleast16inchessquareandmust
beorangeorfluorescentred
orange.Flashingbeaconsmustbeplacedatthelocations
indicatedforlaneclosuresduringhoursofdarkness.

Additional Equipment
Additionalflaggerequipmentincludes:advancewarning
signs;channelizingdevices,suchascones;amethodof
communication,suchas2wayradiosandotherauditory
warningdevicesasneeded;drinkingwater;andprotective
clothingincaseofachangeinweather.

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FLAGGER PROCEDURES

Using the STOP/SLOW Paddle

TheSTOP/SLOWpaddleistheprimaryandpreferredhand
signalingdevicebecauseitgivesthepublicmorepositive
guidancethanredflags.Useofhandsignalingwithredflagsis
limitedtoemergencysituations.
EachsignalwiththeSTOP/SLOWpaddleismadeupofthree
parts:themessageshownonthepaddle,theflaggersgesture
withthefreehand,andthepositiontakenbytheflagger.

Objective
Totellthedriverwhatactionstotake.
Tobeunderstoodbythedriver.
Totaketheguessworkoutofthecommunicationbyusing
standardhandandpaddlesignals.

Procedure
Whenaflaggerisusedonlytoslowtraffic,usetheSLOW
sideofthepaddle,andthewordSTOPshouldbecovered.
TheSTOP/SLOWpaddlemustalwaysbeheldbytheflagger,
neverplacedinatrafficconeoronabarricadeandnever
usedfrominsideavehicle.
ThefollowingmethodsofsignalingwithSTOP/SLOWpaddles
mustbeused.

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To stop traffic . . .
Tostoptraffic,facetrafficandaimtheSTOPpaddle
facetowardtrafficinastationarypositionwiththe
armextendedhorizontallyawayfromthebody.Hold
thefreearmwiththepalmofthehandabove
shoulderleveltowardapproachingtraffic.

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FlaggingInstructionHandbook

To let traffic proceed . . .

Todirecttraffictoproceedafterstopping,face
trafficwiththeSLOWpaddlefaceaimedtoward
trafficinastationarypositionwiththearmextended
horizontallyawayfromthebody.Motionwiththe
freehandfortraffictoproceed,movingarmina
sweepinggesture,andendingbypointingtothe
lanetrafficistouse.

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To alert and slow traffic . . .

Toalertandslowtraffic,facetrafficwiththeSLOW
paddle face aimed toward traffic in a stationary
position withthearmextendedhorizontallyaway
fromthebody.Tofurtheralertorslowtraffic,
holdingtheSLOWpaddlefacetowardtraffic,with
thefreearmoutstretchedandpalmdown,move
armupanddowninapumpingmotion.

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Using Flags

Flags Must Be Limited

to an Emergency
Thefollowingmethodsofsignalingwithaflagmustbe
used:
Tostoptraffic,facetrafficandextendtheflagstaff
horizontallyacrossthetrafficlaneinastationary
positionsothatthefullareaoftheflagisvisiblyhanging
belowthestaff.Holdthefreearmwiththepalmofthe
handabovetheshoulderleveltowardapproaching
traffic.

Todirectstoppedtraffictoproceed,standparallelto
thetrafficmovementandwiththeflagandarmlowered
fromtheviewofthetraffic,motionwiththefreehand
fortraffictoproceed.Flagsmustnotbeusedtosignal
traffictoproceed.

Toalertorslowtraffic,facetrafficandslowlywavethe
flaginasweepingmotionoftheextendedarmfrom
shoulderleveltostraightdownwithoutraisingthearm
aboveahorizontalposition.Keepthefreehanddown.

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One-Lane, Two-Way

Traffic Control

Onewaytrafficcontrolcanbehandledbyasingleflaggerat
eachendoftheworkzone.Apilotorofficialcarisusedwith
flaggersforlengthyworkzones.

Single Flagger
Stationedontheshoulderoppositetheworkzone,orina
positionwheregoodvisibilityandtrafficcontrolcanbe
maintainedatalltimes.
Whenaonelane,twowaytemporarytrafficcontrolzone
isshortenoughtoallowaflaggertoseefromoneendof
thezonetotheother.
Whentrafficisnormallylighttoavoidthepossibilityof
opposingtrafficarrivingatthetrafficcontrolzoneatthe
sametime.

Two Flaggers
Oneshouldbedesignatedastheflaggingcoordinator.
Shouldbeabletocommunicatewitheachotherorally,
electronically,orwithmanualsignalsthatcannotbe
mistakenforflaggingsignals.

Pilot Car
Alltrafficwaitsforthepilotcar.
Guidesalineofvehiclesthroughthetemporarytraffic
controlzoneordetour.
Twoormorepilotcarsmaybeusedtoguidetwoway
trafficthroughaparticularlycomplexdetour.
Contractororcontractingauthoritysnameshouldbe
prominentlydisplayed.
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ThePILOTCARFOLLOWME(G204)orPILOTCARDO
NOTPASS(SC23CA)signmustbeprominentlymounted
ontherearofthevehicle.

Official Car
Alwaysfollowsthelastpublicvehicleproceedingthrough
thesection.
Mayalsobeusedtoguidehaulingtrucksoutofthe
closureandintolivetraffic.

Urgent Situations
Flaggersmustknowhowtohandleemergencyflagging
operations,trafficcontrolviolations,accidentsintraffic
controlzones,andhostileindividuals.

Dealing with Emergency Vehicles

Wheninformedinadvanceofanapproachingemergency
vehicle,clearanunimpededpathfortheemergency
vehiclebystoppingtrafficfromalldirections.
Whennoadvancenoticeisgiven,firststopthe
emergencyvehicleandthenstopalltraffic,including
constructionequipment,toprovideaclearpathforthe
emergencyvehicletopass.
Whenthetypeofwork,suchasblastingorexcavation,
makestheroadwayimpassable,advancearrangements
shouldbemadewiththelocalpoliceagencythathas
jurisdictionovertheroadway.

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Traffic Control Violations

Warnconstructionworkers,eithervisuallyorwithan
audiblewarningdevice,whenadriverhasruntheflagger
station.
Stopallvehiclesenteringtheworkarea,butdonotput
yourselfinanunsafesituation.
Bepreparedforthesepossibilities.
Planyourescaperouteinanemergency.

Traffic Accidents
Notifyyoursupervisorandcallforhelp.
Ifaccidentshappeninthelineofwaitingtraffic,stayatyour
stationandcontinuetocontroltrafficuntilyoureceive
instructionsfromyoursupervisororapoliceofficer.
Ifanaccidenthappenswithinthecontrolledarea,hold
approachingtrafficandfollowinstructionsfromyour
supervisor,theflaggingcoordinator,orfromapoliceofficer.
Flaggersmustcommunicatewitheachotherbefore
releasingorstoppingtraffic.

Dealing with Hostile Individuals

Becourteousandprofessional.
Donotarguewithmotoristsorpedestrians.
Ifamotoristfailstofollowyourinstructionsandthreatens
thesafetyoftheworkarea,notethevehiclelicense
number,descriptionofvehicle,anddriver.
Reporttheinformationtoyoursupervisorforthepurpose
offilingapolicereport.

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18

FLAGGER

PORTABLE FLASHING BEACON

TRAFFIC CONE

TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL SIGN

LEGEND

20 x 7

36 x 42

36 x 18

30 x 30

48 x 48

SIGN PANEL SIZE (Min.)

See Revised Standard Plan RSP T9 for tables.

Use cone spacing X for taper segment, Y for tangent segment or Z for

conflict situations, as appropriate, per Table 1, unless X, Y, or Z cone

spacing is shown on this sheet.

Unless otherwise specified in the special provisions, all temporary

warning signs shall have black legend on fluorescent orange background.

California codes are designated by (CA). Otherwise, Federal (MUTCD) codes

are shown.

NOTES:

2010 REVISED STANDARD PLAN RSP T13

FlaggingInstructionHandbook

October2014

1. Each advance warning sign in each direction of travel shall be equipped with at
least two flags for daytime closure. Each flag shall be at least 16" x 16" in size and
shall be orange or fluorescent red-orange in color. Flashing beacons shall be
placed at the locations indicated for lane closure during hours of darkness.
2. A G20-2 "END ROAD WORK" sign, as appropriate, shall be placed at the end of
the lane control unless the end of work area is obvious, or ends within a larger
project's limits.
3. If the W20-1 sign would follow within 2000' of a stationary W20-1 or G20-1 "ROAD
WORK NEXT __ MILES," use a W20-4 sign for the first advance warning sign.
4. All cones used for lane closures during the hours of darkness shall be fitted with
retroreflective bands (or sleeves) as specified in the specifications.
5. Portable delineators, placed at one-half the spacing indicated for traffic cones, may
be used instead of cones for daytime closures only.
6. Additional advance flaggers may be required. Flagger

should stand in a conspicuous place, be visible to approaching traffic as well as approaching vehicles after the
first vehicle has stopped. During the hours of darkness, the flagging-station and
flagger shall be illuminated and clearly visible to approaching traffic. The illumination footprint of the lighting on the ground shall be at least 20' in diameter. Place a
minimum of four cones at 50' intervals in advance of flagger station as shown.
7. Place C30(CA) "LANE CLOSED" sign at 500' to 1000' intervals throughout extended work areas. They are optional if the work area is visible from the flagger
station.
8. When a pilot car is used, place a C37(CA) "TRAFFIC CONTROL - WAIT AND
FOLLOW PILOT CAR" sign with black legend on white background at all intersections, driveways and alleys without a flagger within traffic control area. Signs shall
be clean and visible at all times. Where traffic cannot be effectively self-regulated,
at least one flagger shall be used at each intersection within traffic control area.

NOTES:

October2014

REVISED STANDARD PLAN RSP T13

RSP T13 DATED OCTOBER 17, 2014 SUPERSEDES RSP T13

DATED JULY 18, 2014 AND RSP T13 DATED APRIL 19, 2013

AND STANDARD PLAN T13 DATED MAY 20, 2011 PAGE 241OF

THE STANDARD PLANS BOOK DATED 2010.

NO SCALE

TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEM

FOR LANE CLOSURE ON

TWO LANE CONVENTIONAL

HIGHWAYS

STATE OF CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

10. Either traffic cones or barricades shall be placed on the taper.

Barricades shall be Type I, II, or III. The color of the portable
transverse rumble strips shall be black or orange. Use 2 arrays,
each array shall consist of 3 rumble strips.
11. Portable transverse rumble strips shall not be placed on sharp
horizontal or vertical curves nor shall they be placed through
pedestrian crossings. If the portable transverse rumble strips
become out of alignment (skewed) by more than 6 inches,
measured from one end to the other, they shall be readjusted to
bring the placement back to the original location.
12. Portable transverse rumble strips are not required if any of the
following conditions is satisfied:
A. Work duration occupies a location for four hours or less.
B. Posted speed limit is below 45 MPH.
C. Work is of emergency nature.
D. Work zone is in snow or icy weather conditions.

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