What You Should Know About Flaggers
- Expo Session Related Topic -
“What You Should Know About Flaggers”
Many construction operations require equipment and worker activity to take place in areas of moving traffic. So, how can workers and equipment be protected while working in these traffic areas? And, how do workers know when a flagger should be in place?According to the Construction Safety Orders of the California Code of Regulations, flaggers are required at construction locations where barricades and warning signs can’t effectively control moving traffic. In these situations, flaggers must be placed in relation to the equipment or operation so they can give effective warning.
Before being assigned as a flagger, the individual must be trained by someone with the qualifications and experience necessary to effectively instruct the employee in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic. Training, instruction, and signaling directions used by flaggers should conform to the “Manual of Traffic Controls for Construction and Maintenance Work Zones,” published by the State Department of Transportation. And, as with all employee training, it should be documented and kept on file in accordance with the company Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP).
Training should take into account the particular worksite conditions and include the following:
- Flagger equipment which must be used
- The layout of the work zone and flagging station
- Methods to signal traffic to stop, proceed or slow down
- Methods of one-way control
- Trainee demonstration of proper flagging methods
- How to respond to emergency vehicles traveling through the work zone
- How to handle emergency situations
- Methods of dealing with hostile drivers
- Flagging procedures when only a single flagger is used
A flagger must wear warning clothes in specific, highly visible colors. They can wear a vest, jacket or shirt in colors of orange, strong yellow-green or fluorescent versions of these. These garments must be worn rain or shine. If it’s dark, the flagger should wear reflectorized garments, visible from a minimum distance of 1,000.
Source: Safety News, State Compensation Insurance Fund, Issue Three, 2009
Bruce Anderson, a professional trainer with The Safety Center conducted the Flagger Training at the 2009 Statewide Safety Expo. Bruce is an amazing trainer and his class registrations near 200 with very good evaluations. Attendee evaluation comments include: “…excellent presentation..” “…awesome teacher…” “Best class in three days…” “Bruce has all the teaching focal points-visual-handouts-presentation…” Because of his teaching skills and command of the subject Bruce is being invited to return as a presenter for the 6th Annual Statewide Safety Training & Construction Management Expo, March 30, 31, April 1, 2010.
For more information go to www.sacsafetyexpo.com
