Rules for Flaggers

WAC 296-155-305

1
Definition

“Flagger”
• “A person who provides
temporary traffic control.”
– Definition straight from
MUTCD

2
Definition

M.U.T.C.D.
• Manual on Uniform Traffic Control
Devices
 Read it on the web:
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/trafficopera
tions/mutcd.htm

Where to obtain
a copy

3
 General Requirements

When flaggers are used, employers must

• First, apply the requirements of 296-155-
305
• Then, set up & use temporary traffic
control per MUTCD
Click here to Click here to
understand full Read WISHA’s
text of Enforcement
Subparagraph
(1)(a)
Policy 4
 Training
• “Job site workers with specific traffic
control responsibilities must be trained
in…”
– Traffic control techniques
– Device usage
– …and placement

Click here to
read full text of
Subparagraph
(1)(b) 5
 “When to use flaggers”

a. “Flaggers are to be used only when

other reasonable …methods will not
adequately control traffic…”
b. “If signs [etc.] do not provide necessary
protection…..you must use flaggers….”

Click here to
read full text of
Subparagraphs
(2)(a) & (b) 6
 Sign Paddles

• Flagger signaling must be done with sign

paddles

Click here to read

full text of
Subparagraph (3)
7
(a)
 Sign paddles must comply with
MUTCD
• At least 18” inches in diameter
• Printed with letters at least 6” high
• “STOP” in white letters on red
background
• “SLOW” in black letters on orange
background
Click here to read
full text of
Subparagraph (3)
8
(b)
 During Periods of Darkness
• Paddles must be retroreflective or
• Illuminated in the same manner as signs

The definition of “hours

of darkness”

Click here to read

full text of
Subparagraph (3)
(c)
9
 Sign Paddles

• Flagger signaling must be done with sign

paddles

• Flags no longer acceptable except for

emergency situations.

Click here to read

full text of
Subparagraph (3)
(d)
10
Vehicles Approaching from
Behind
Either position flaggers
so they’re not exposed to
such traffic
Or ensure flaggers have
adequate visual warning

Click here to read

full text of
Subparagraph (4) 11
 Examples of methods to
adequately warn or protect
flaggers
Mirror on hardhat

Spotter
“Jersey” barriers”

Read “Note” in
Subparagraph (4)
Thanks to Pacific Road & 12
Bridge Company
 High-Visibility Garments for
Flaggers
During daylight hours

Read details in
Subparagraph (5)(a)
13
 High-Visibility Garments for
Flaggers
During hours of
darkness

“Retroreflectivity”

Read details in
Subparagraph (5)(b)
14
 High-Visibility Garments for
Flaggers
During hours of darkness – when snow or
fog limit visibility

Reflective tapes

Read details in
Subparagraph (5)(c)
15
 Flagger Training
Each flagger must have a valid flagger
card in their possession.
• Includes details about flagger’s
training

Read details in
Subparagraph (6)
16
 Exemption to Flagger Training
Requirement
In emergency
situations only, a
person without
flagger training may
be temporarily
assigned duties as a
Read Exemption to
flagger.
Subparagraph (6)
17
 Flagger Orientation and
Traffic Control Plan
Flagger must have an orientation
• for each new project, or
• when job site conditions change
significantly

Read required content

for orientation in
Subparagraph (7)(a) 18
 Flagger Orientation and
Traffic Control Plan
• Site specific traffic control plan required
when a job will last more than one day

Read required content

for traffic control plan
in Subparagraph (7)(b)
19
 Advance Warning Signs
• A three sign sequence below 45 mph
• Four sign sequence 45 and above

Read
Subparagraph (8)(a) 20
Table 1 – (WSDOT assigned speed to type of road)
Signs

21
 * Single Asterisk *
“All spacing may be adjusted
to accommodate interchange
ramps, at-grade
intersections & driveways.”

22
 ** Double Asterisk **

• Figures for distance

between advance
warning signs
• Figure 1 shows
situation typical for
roadways with
limits under 45
mph.
23
 *** Triple Asterisk ***
• Spacing may be reduced in urban areas
to fit roadway conditions

24
 Mobile Flagging Operation
• When flagger
moves with the
operation

Read exemption to
Subparagraph (8)
25
 Employers, Contractors, Owners Must
Provide a Safe Job Site for Flaggers…

• Flagger stations are far enough ahead of

the work space
– Details in Table 2

Read
Subparagraph (9)(a) 26
 Where Flaggers Must Stand
• Shoulder or closed lane
– OSHA/WISHA say “must”
• Exception: when road users
have stopped

• What is a “closed lane”?

Read
Subparagraph (9)(b) 27
 Floodlight Placement

Flagger workstations must be

illuminated during hours of
darkness by floodlights
– except for emergencies
– floodlights must not create a glare
for drivers

Read
Subparagraph (9)(c) 28
 Flaggers must not be assigned
other duties while engaged in
flagging activities

Read
Subparagraph (9)(d) 29
 Flaggers must not use devices
which may distract the vision,
hearing or attention

• Cell phones

• Pagers
• Radios
Read • Headphones
Subparagraph (9)(e) 30
 Flaggers must receive
appropriate breaks
• At least 10 minutes for
each four hours of
working time
• As near as possible to
the midpoint of the
work period
• No more than 3 hours
Read work without a rest
Subparagraph (9)(f) period 31
 Barricades
• Only thing added was reference to the
MUTCD

32
 It’s not about the rules.
It’s about people’s lives!!

33
 End of Presentation

Click here
to exit

The following slides are text

from the standard. 34
 WRD 27.20
• Clarifies how to combine & enforce
WAC 296-155 and the MUTCD

Link to WRD 27.20

on the Web

Return to previous 35
slide
• You may purchase copies of the MUTCD by
writing to:
US Government Printing Office
Superintendent of Documents
Mail Stop: SSOP
Washington DC 20402-9328
• Or log on to:
https://www.transportation.org/publications/bo
okstore.nsf/Home?OpenForm
• http://www.ite.org/bookstore/index.asp%20
• http://www.atssa.com/%20

Return to the text of

Return to the the paragraph you
program were reading 36
ANSI/ISEA 107-1999 is available by:
• Purchasing copies by writing:
– American National Standards Institute
11 West 42nd Street
New York, NY 10036 or
– Contacting the ANSI website at
http://web.ansi.org/
• Reading a copy at any Washington state
library

Return to
previous slide 37
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(1)(a)

When flaggers are used, employers

must first apply the requirements of
this section. Then you must set up
and use temporary traffic controls
according to the guidelines and
recommendations in Part VI of the
MUTCD.
Read the text of Return to the
paragraph 1b program 38
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(1)(b)

Job site workers with specific

traffic control responsibilities
must be trained in traffic
control techniques, device
usage, and placement

Return to the
program 39
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(2)(a)

Flaggers are to be used only

when other reasonable traffic
control methods will not
adequately control traffic in
the work zone.

Read the text of Return to the

paragraph 2b program 40
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(2)(b)

If signs, signals, and barricades do not

provide necessary protection from
traffic at work zones and construction
sites on or adjacent to a highway or
street, then you must use flaggers or
other appropriate traffic controls.

Return to the
program 41
Text of WAC 296-155-305(3)(a) & (b)

(a) Flagger signaling must be with sign

paddles approved by WSDOT and
conform to guidelines and
recommendations of MUTCD.
(b) Sign paddles must comply with the
requirements of the MUTCD.

Read the text of Return to the

paragraph 3c program 42
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(3)(c)

(c) When flagging is done

during periods of darkness,
sign paddles must be
retroreflective or illuminated
in the same manner as signs.

Read the text of Return to the

paragraph 3d program 43
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(3)(d)

(d) During emergency situations, red flags,

meeting the specifications of the MUTCD,
may be used to draw a driver’s attention
to particularly hazardous conditions. In
nonemergency situations, a red flag may
be held in a flagger’s free hand to
supplement the use of a sign paddle.

Return to the
program 44
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(4)
(Slide 1 of 3)
Adequate warning of approaching vehicles.
Employers must:
• Position work zone flaggers so they are not
exposed to traffic or equipment approaching
them from behind.
– If this is not possible, then the employer, responsible
contractor, and/or project owner must develop and
use a method to ensure that flaggers have adequate
visual warning of traffic and equipment approaching
from behind.

Read the next Return to the

part of program 45
Paragraph (4)
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(4)
(Slide 2 of 3)
NOTE:
• The following are some optional examples of
methods that may be used to adequately warn or
protect flaggers.
– Mount a mirror on the flagger’s hard hat
– Use an observer
– Use “jersey” barriers

Read the NOTE Return to the

in Paragraph (4) program 46
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(4)
(Slide 3 of 3)
NOTE (part 2)
• The department recognizes the importance of
adequately trained flaggers and supports industry
efforts to improve the quality of flagger training.
However, training alone is not sufficient to comply
with the statutory requirement of revising flagger
safety standards to improve options available that
ensure flagger safety and that flaggers have
adequate visual warning of objects approaching
them from behind.
Return to the 47
program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(a)
(Slide 1 of 3)
While flagging during daylight hours, a flagger must
at least wear, as an outer garment:
• A high-visibility safety garment designed according to
Class 2 specifications in ANSI/ISEA 107-1999, American
National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel.
• Consisting on at least 775 square inches of background material that
are fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, or fluorescent
red in color; and
• 201 square inches of retroreflective material that encircles the torso
and is placed to provide 360 degrees visibility around the flagger.

Read the next

part of Return to the
48
Paragraph (5)(a) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(a)
(Slide 2 of 3)

While flagging during daylight hours, a flagger

must at least wear, as an outer garment:
• [requirements of previous slide]
• A high visibility hard hat that is white, yellow,
yellow-green, orange or red in color

Read the last Return to the

part of program 49
Paragraph (5)(a)
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(a)
(Slide 3 of 3)

NOTE:
A high-visibility garment meets Class 2
specifications if the garment:
– Meets the requirements above
or
– Has an ANSI “Class 2” label

Return to the Return to

program previous slide 50
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(b)
(Slide 1 of 4)
While flagging during hours of darkness, a flagger
must at least wear, as an outer garment:
• A high-visibility safety garment designed
according to Class 2 specifications in ANSI/ISEA
107-1999
• Consisting on at least 775 square inches of background
material that are fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent
orange-red, or fluorescent red in color; and
• 201 square inches of retroreflective material that encircles
the torso and is placed to provide 360 degrees visibility
around the flagger.

Read the next

Return to the
part of 51
program
Paragraph (5)(b)
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(b)
(Slide 2 of 4)
While flagging during hours of darkness, a
flagger must at least wear, as an outer
garment:
• [requirements of the previous slide]
• White coveralls, or other coveralls or trousers
that have retroreflective banding on the legs
designed according to ANSI/ISEA 107-1999
standards.

Read the next

Return to the
part of 52
program
Paragraph (5)(b)
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(b)
(Slide 3 of 4)
While flagging during hours of darkness, a flagger
must at least wear, as an outer garment:
• [requirements of the previous two slides]
• When snow or fog limit visibility, pants,
coveralls, or rain gear, meeting these additional
requirements must be worn:
– In a highly visible color
– With retroreflective banding on the legs;
– Designed according to ANSI/ISEA 107-1999

Read the next

Return to the
part of 53
program
Paragraph (5)(b)
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(5)(b)
(Slide 4 of 4)

While flagging during hours of darkness, a flagger

must at least wear, as an outer garment:
• [requirements of the previous three slides]
• A high visibility hard hat:
– Marked with at least 12 square inches of
retroreflective material applied to provide 360
degrees of visibility.

Return to the
program 54
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(6)(a)
Flagger Training. Employers must make sure that:
Each flagger has in their possession:
• A valid Washington traffic control flagger card;
or
• A valid flagger card from a state such as:
• Oregon
• Idaho
• Montana; or
• Other states having a flagger training reciprocity
agreement with Washington

Read the text of Return to the

paragraph (6)(b) program 55
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(6)(b)
Flagger Training. Employers must make sure that:

(b) The flagger card shows the following:

• Verification that the flagger training required is
completed;
• Date the flagger received their flagger training;
• Name of the instructor providing the flagger training;
• Name of the state that issued the flagger card;
• The card’s expiration date, not to exceed three years
from the date of issuance; and
• The flagger’s picture or a statement that says “valid
with photo ID.”
Read the text of Return to the
paragraph (6)(c) program 56
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(6)(c)
Flagger Training. Employers must make sure that:
(c) Flagger training is based upon the MUTCD.

Exemption: Personnel that have not completed a

flagger training course may be assigned duties
as flaggers only during emergencies.
Emergency assignments are temporary and last
only until a certified flagger can be put into the
position.

Return to the
program 57
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(7)(a)
Flagger orientation and traffic control plan.
(Slide 1 of 2)

The employer, responsible contractor or

project owner must conduct an
orientation that familiarizes the flagger
with the job site. This requirement
applies each time the flagger is assigned to
a new project or when job site conditions
change significantly.
Read the rest of Return to the
paragraph (7)(a) program 58
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(7)(a)
Flagger orientation and traffic control plan.
(Slide 2 of 2)
The orientation must, include but is not limited to:
• The flagger’s role and location on the job site;
• Motor vehicle and equipment in operation at
the site;
• Job site traffic patterns;
• Communications and signals to be used
between flaggers and equipment operators;
• On-foot escape route; and
• Other hazards specific to the job site.
Read paragraph Return to the 59
(7)(b) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(7)(b)
Flagger orientation and traffic control plan.
(Slide 1 of 2)

If flaggers are used on a job that will last more than

one day, then the employer, responsible
contractor and/or project owner must keep on-
site, a current site specific traffic control plan.
The purpose of this plan is to help move traffic
through or around the construction zone in a
way that protects the safety of the traveling
public, pedestrians and workers.

Read the rest of Return to the

paragraph (7)(b) program 60
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(7)(b)
Flagger orientation and traffic control plan.
(Slide 2 of 2)
The plan must include, but is not limited to, the following
items when they are appropriate:
• Sign use and placement;
• Application and removal of pavement markings;
• Construction;
• Scheduling;
• Methods and devices for delineation and channelization;
• Placement and maintenance of devices;
• Placement of flaggers;
• Roadway lighting;
• Traffic regulations; and
• Surveillance and inspection.

Return to the
61
program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(8)
Advance warning signs.
(a) Employers must provide the following on
all flagging operations:
• A three sign advance warning sequence on
all roadways with a speed limit below 45
mph.
• A four sign advance warning sequence on
all roadways with a 45 mph or higher
speed limit.
Read paragraph Return to the
62
(8)(b) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(8)
Advance warning signs.
(b) Warning signs must reflect the actual
condition of the work zone. When not in
use, warning signs must either be taken
down or covered.
(c) Employers must make sure to follow Table
1 for spacing of advance warning sign
placement.

View Table 1 See “Exemption” Return to the

63
program
See “Exemption” See Figure 1, per Return to 64
double asterisk previous slide
 “Exemption”
Following Paragraph 305(8)
In a mobile flagging operation, as defined by the
MUTCD when a flagger is moving with the
operation, the “flagger ahead (symbol or text)”
sign must be:
• Within 1,500 feet of the flagger; and
• The flagger station must be seen from the sign.
-------------------------------
If terrain does not allow a motorist to see the flagger from the “flagger
ahead” sign, the distance between the flagger and the sign must be
shortened to allow visual contact, but in no case can the distance be
less than the distance specified in Table 1, Advanced Warning Sign
Placement.

Return to the Return “Mobile

65
program Flagging Operation”
 Figure 1 – per **

Return to the
program

Return to
previous slide
66
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.
Employers, responsible contractors and/or project
owners must make sure that:
(a) Flagger stations are located far enough in
advance of the work space so that the
approaching road users will have sufficient
distance to stop before entering the work
space. Follow Table 2 for the distance of
the flagger workstation in advance of the
work space
Read paragraph Return to the
67
(9)(b) program
 * Posted speed, off-peak 85th
percentile speed prior to
work starting or the
anticipated operating speed.

** This spacing may be

reduced to fit roadway and
worksite conditions.
Distances greater than those
listed in the table are
acceptable.

Read paragraph Return to Return to the

68
(9)(b) paragraph (9)(a) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.
Employers, responsible contractors and/or project owners
must make sure that:
(b) Flaggers stand either on the shoulder
adjacent to the road user being controlled
or in the closed lane prior to stopping lane
users. A flagger must only stand in the lane
being used by moving road users after road
users have stopped.

Read paragraph Return to the

69
(9)(c) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.
Employers, responsible contractors and/or project owners
must make sure that:

(c) Flagger workstations are illuminated

during hours of darkness by
floodlights that do not create glare that
poses a hazard for drivers.
NOTE: To identify potential glare, observe the lighted
area from various directions and angles on the
main roadway after initial floodlight setup.
“Exemption” to Read paragraph Return to the
70
(9)(c) (9)(d) program
 “Exemption”
Following Paragraph 305(9)(c)

Emergency situations are exempt from

these illumination requirements.

Read paragraph Return to text of Return to the

71
(9)(d) paragraph (9)(c) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.

Employers, responsible contractors and/or project

owners must make sure that:
(d) Flaggers are not assigned other duties while
engaged in flagging activities.

Read paragraph Return to the

(9)(e) program 72
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.
Employers, responsible contractors and/or project
owners must make sure that:
(e) Flaggers do not use devices that may
distract the flagger’s vision, hearing, or
attention.
• Examples of these devices include cell phones,
pagers, radios, and headphones.
• Devices such as two-way radios used for
communications between flaggers to direct
traffic or ensure flagger safety are acceptable
Read paragraph Return to the 73
(9)(f) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-305(9)
Providing a safe job site for flaggers.
Employers, responsible contractors and/or project
owners must make sure that:
(f) Flaggers receive a rest period of at least ten
minutes, on the employer’s time, for each
four hours of working time.
• Rest periods must be scheduled as near as possible
to the midpoint of the work period.
• A flagger must not be allowed to work more than
three hours without a rest period
Read Return to the
“Exemption” to program 74
paragraph (9)(f)
 “Exemption”
Following Paragraph 305(9)(f)

Scheduled rest periods are not required

where the nature of the work allows a
flagger to take intermittent rest
periods equivalent to ten minutes for
each four hours worked.

Return to Return to the

75
paragraph (9)(f) program
 Text of WAC 296-155-310
Barricades
• Employers must make sure that
barricades used for the protection of
employees meet the requirements of
Part VI of the MUTCD.

Definition of Return to the

“Barricade” program 76
Definition

Barricade

Barricade means an obstruction to

deter the passage of persons or
vehicles.

Return to previous
slide
77
 WRD 27.20
Traffic Control and Flagging Operations

• See
http://www.lni.wa.gov/Safety/Rules/Polici
es/PDFs/WRD2720.pdf

78
Definition
“Hours of Darkness”
WAC 296-155-305(5)(b)

“For the purpose of this rule,

“hours of darkness” means one-
half hour before sunset and one-
half hour after sunrise.”

Return to previous
slide
79
Definition
“Emergency”

“For the purpose of this rule,

‘emergency’ means an unforeseen
occurrence endangering life,
limb, or property.”

Return to previous
slide
80
 Definition

Road User
Road user means a vehicle operator,
bicyclist, or pedestrian within a
public roadway, including workers
in temporary traffic control zones.

Return to previous
slide 81
Definition

Signs

Signs are the warnings of hazard,

temporarily or permanently
affixed or placed, at locations
where hazards exist.

Return to previous
slide
82
Definition
Signals
Signals are moving
signs, provided by
workers, such as
flaggers, or by
devices such as
flashing lights, to
warn of possible or
existing hazards.
Return to previous
83
slide
 Definitions

Work Space

Buffer Space

Transition Area

Advance Warning Area

Return to previous 84
slide