California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 4 - Construction Safety Orders
Article 11 - Vehicles, Traffic Control, Flaggers, Barricades, and Warning Signs
Section 1599 - Flaggers

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 1599

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) A flagger or flaggers shall be utilized at locations on a construction site where barricades and warning signs cannot control the moving traffic. Unless this section provides differently, the number of flaggers required and matters regarding the deployment of the flagger or flaggers shall be according to the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, January 13, 2012, published by the State Department of Transportation (the Manual), which is herein incorporated by reference.

(b) When a flagger or flaggers are required, they shall be placed in relation to the equipment or operation so as to give effective warning.

(c) Placement of warning signs shall be according to the Manual.

(d) Flaggers shall wear warning garments such as vests, jackets, or shirts manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) 107-2004, High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear.

(e) During the hours of darkness, flaggers' stations shall be illuminated such that the flagger will be clearly visible to approaching traffic and flaggers shall be outfitted with reflectorized garments manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)/International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) 107-2004, High Visibility Safety Apparel and Headwear. The retroreflective material shall be visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet. White outer garments with retroreflective material that meets the above requirements may be worn during hours of darkness but not during snow or fog conditions, in lieu of colored vests, jackets and/or shirts.

(f) The employer shall select the proper type (class) of high visibility safety apparel for a given occupational activity by consulting the Manual, apparel manufacturer, ANSI/ISEA 107-2004, Appendix B or the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA).

(g) Flaggers shall be trained in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic before being assigned as flaggers. Signaling directions used by flaggers shall conform to the Manual. The training and instructions shall be based on the Manual and work site conditions and also include the following:

(1) flagger equipment which must be used,

(2) layout of the work zone and flagging station,

(3) methods to signal traffic to stop, proceed or slow down,

(4) methods of one-way traffic control,

(5) trainee demonstration of proper flagging methodology and operations,

(6) emergency vehicles traveling through the work zone,

(7) handling emergency situations,

(8) methods of dealing with hostile drivers,

(9) flagging procedures when a single flagger is used (when applicable),

Documentation of the training shall be maintained as required by Section 3203, Injury Illness and Prevention Program of the General Industry Safety Orders.

(h) Flaggers shall be trained by persons with the qualifications and experience necessary to effectively instruct the employee in the proper fundamentals of flagging moving traffic.

1. Amendment filed 11-12-75; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 75, No. 46).
2. Amendment filed 9-6-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 37).
3. Amendment of subsections (c)-(f) filed 11-30-92; operative 12-30-92 (Register 92, No. 49).
4. Amendment of subsections (c), (d) and (e) filed 2-19-97; operative 3-21-97 (Register 97, No. 8).
5. Amendment of subsection (f) and new subsections (f)(1)-(g) filed 8-26-99; operative 9-25-99 (Register 99, No. 35).
6. Amendment of subsection (c) filed 12-29-2006; operative 1-28-2007 (Register 2006, No. 52).
7. Amendment of subsections (d) and (e), new subsection (f) and subsection relettering filed 7-23-2009; operative 8-22-2009 (Register 2009, No. 30).
8. Amendment of subsections (a)-(c) and (g) filed 5-25-2010; operative 6-24-2010 (Register 2010, No. 22).
9. Amendment of subsection (a) and amendment of the "California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways" (incorporated by reference) filed 5-29-2014; operative 7-1-2014 (Register 2014, No. 22).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

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