Traffic Control Person (Flagger) Online Course

• Required Safety Equipment
• Proper Use of Hand Signalling
• Stop and Slow Signs
• Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
• Supervisor and Worker Duties
• Job Site and Job Preparation
• Traffic Control Placement
• Responsibilities and Authority

Any construction project that takes place on or alongside a public roadway may implement traffic control measures in order to keep its workers, as well as the general public, safe. Worksite traffic control has four main objectives:

1. To protect construction crews and the motoring public by regulating traffic flow
2. To stop traffic whenever required by the progress of work, but otherwise, keep traffic moving at reduced speeds to avoid tie-ups and delays
3. To allow construction to proceed safely and efficiently
4. To ensure that public traffic has priority over construction equipment

To accomplish this, many worksites employ workers called Traffic Control Persons, also known as Traffic Flaggers in the United States, who manually direct vehicle traffic using a STOP/SLOW sign and hand signals to prevent conflicts between workers, work zone activities, opposing road traffic, work vehicles, and pedestrians.

When working as a Traffic Control Person (TCP) or Traffic Flagger, there are several laws you must adhere to for your safety and the safety of those around you. While specific regulations differ between provinces or states, one requirement that never changes is that anyone working as a Traffic Control Person (Traffic Flagger) must be “competent” in any work they undertake. A “competent worker” is anyone who:

• Is qualified to perform their assigned work safely because of knowledge, training, and experience
• Is familiar with the health and safety regulations of the province or state they work in
• Has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health and safety in the workplace

It is the legal duty of employers to ensure their workers are competent in their assigned work.

This course has been developed for workers who require the knowledge and skill to safely and competently perform the role of a Traffic Control Person. By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• Explain the important roles and responsibilities of Traffic Control Persons
• List and describe the various pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) required when working as a Traffic Control Person, and explain when and why they must be worn
• List and describe the various signs and other devices used in traffic control
• Explain the importance of pre-work planning and communication for job site safety and how these are achieved
• Describe how to properly conduct a pre- and post-work inspection
• Explain what to look for when choosing a suitable traffic control post
• Describe the steps and signals necessary for stopping and slowing traffic
• Explain what to do in the event of a problem or emergency

Keep in mind that this course does not replace any standards, codes, or regulatory requirements, and you must ensure you always use and apply the most current version of your Provincial, State, or Federal health and safety laws.