CA Flagger Flagging Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When flagging on a two-lane road with alternating one-way traffic, which hand signal tells drivers to STOP?
- Wave the flag in a sweeping side-to-side motion
- Hold the flag staff vertically with the flag furled
- Extend the flag horizontally across the road at arm's length (Correct answer)
- Lower the flag to the ground at a 45-degree angle
Correct answer: Extend the flag horizontally across the road at arm's length
To stop traffic, the flagger faces the approaching vehicle and extends the flag horizontally across the road, forming a visual barrier at arm's length.
Question 2: A flagger is working at night. Which of the following is REQUIRED by California regulations?
- A standard orange safety vest
- A retroreflective vest visible from 1,000 feet (Correct answer)
- A flashing amber light on their hard hat
- A red flag at least 24 inches square
Correct answer: A retroreflective vest visible from 1,000 feet
Night flagging requires a retroreflective (reflective) vest that meets ANSI Class 2 or 3 standards, visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet.
Question 3: What is the flagger's proper position relative to the travel lane when controlling traffic?
- Standing in the center of the travel lane
- Standing on the shoulder or as far out of the lane as possible (Correct answer)
- Standing at the edge of the work zone cones
- Standing directly behind the lead worker for protection
Correct answer: Standing on the shoulder or as far out of the lane as possible
Flaggers should stand on the shoulder or as far out of the travel lane as possible to minimize their exposure to moving traffic.
Question 4: A flagger receives an unexpected radio call from the other end while actively stopping a long queue of vehicles. What should the flagger do FIRST?
- Ignore the radio and keep directing traffic
- Drop the flag and answer the radio immediately
- Signal traffic to stop, then answer the radio safely (Correct answer)
- Walk toward the work zone to find better radio reception
Correct answer: Signal traffic to stop, then answer the radio safely
The flagger should ensure all traffic is safely stopped before addressing the radio call, never abandoning traffic control duties mid-operation.
Question 5: Under California law, what is the MINIMUM flag size required for daytime flagging operations?
- 12 inches square
- 16 inches square
- 18 inches square
- 24 inches square (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 24 inches square
California requires flags used for flagging operations to be at least 24 inches square to ensure adequate visibility to approaching drivers.
Question 6: Two flaggers are working a short one-lane section. Flagger A releases a group of cars. When should Flagger B be ready to stop the opposing traffic?
- Only after the last car in the group passes Flagger B
- Before Flagger A releases any vehicles
- As soon as the first car in the group passes Flagger B
- After receiving a radio confirmation from Flagger A (Correct answer)
Correct answer: After receiving a radio confirmation from Flagger A
Flagger B should only proceed to stop opposing traffic after receiving radio or hand-signal confirmation from Flagger A that the group has been released.
Question 7: A driver refuses to stop and aggressively drives around a flagger's stop signal. What is the correct response?
- Chase the vehicle and attempt to block it
- Note the license plate and vehicle description and report it (Correct answer)
- Step into the lane to physically block the vehicle
- Immediately shut down the work zone
Correct answer: Note the license plate and vehicle description and report it
Flaggers should never physically confront or chase uncooperative drivers; instead, they should document the incident and report it to the supervisor or law enforcement.
CA Flagger Flagging Procedures 2
When flagging on a two-lane road with alternating one-way traffic, which hand signal tells drivers to STOP?