§ 8.5.6. Hand-Signal Control

This form of traffic control provides one of the best methods for handling traffic safely and efficiently at short-duration work sites. It is essential that proper care and procedures are used by qualified personnel.

A.

Qualifications For Flaggers

Since flaggers are responsible for human safety and make the greatest number of public contacts of all temporary traffic control personnel, it is important that a qualified person be selected. A flagger should possess the following minimum qualifications:

•  Average intelligence

•  Good physical condition, including sight and hearing

•  Mental alertness & ability to react in an emergency

•  Courteous but firm manner

•  Neat appearance

•  Sense of responsibility for the safety of the public & workers

•  Capable of communicating verbally with drivers

•  Trained in safe traffic control practices

B.

Flagging Equipment

For daytime work, the flagger's vest, shirt, or jacket shall be orange, yellow, strong yellow green, or fluorescent versions of these colors. For nighttime work, similar outside garments shall be retroreflective. The retroreflective material shall be orange, yellow, white, silver, strong yellow-green, or a fluorescent version of one of these colors and shall be visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet.

Hand-signaling devices, such as STOP/SLOW paddles, lights, and red flags are used to control traffic through temporary traffic control zones. The STOP/SLOW paddle, which gives drivers more positive guidance than red flags, shall be the primary hand-signaling device. The standard STOP/SLOW sign paddle shall be a minimum of 450 millimeters (18 inches) wide and octagonal in shape with letters at least 150 millimeters (6 inches) high. A rigid handle should be provided. This combination sign should be fabricated from light semirigid material, and shall have an octagonal shape. The background of the STOP face shall be red with white letters and border. To improve conspicuity, the STOP/SLOW paddles may be supplemented by one or two symmetrically positioned alternately flashing white high-intensity lamps on each side. The background of the SLOW face shall be orange with black letters and border. When used at night, the STOP/SLOW paddle shall be retroreflectorized in the same manner as signs.

Flags used for emergency signaling purposes shall be a minimum of 600 millimeters (24 inches) square, made of a good grade of red or red orange material securely fastened to a staff about 1 meter (3 feet) long. The free edge should be weighted so the flag will hang vertically, even in heavy wind. When used at night, flags shall be retroreflective.

C.

Flagging Procedures

The use of the sign paddle and flag are illustrated in Figure 8-9. The following methods of signaling with a paddle should be used:

To Stop Traffic -

The Flagger shall face traffic and show the stop face of the paddle to traffic. For greater emphasis, the free arm may be raised with the palm toward approaching traffic.

When It Is Safe for Traffic to Proceed -

The flagger shall stand parallel to the traffic movement and show the slow face of the paddle to traffic, motion traffic ahead with his free arm.

To Alert or Slow Traffic -

Where it is desired to alert or slow traffic by means of flagging, the flagger shall face traffic and show the slow face of the paddle to traffic. For added emphasis, the flagger may slowly raise and lower his free hand with the palm down.