CA Flagger Safety and Risk Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A driver ignores your stop paddle and accelerates toward the work zone. What is your FIRST action?
- Step into the vehicle's path to force a stop
- Move quickly out of the driver's path and notify your supervisor immediately (Correct answer)
- Chase the vehicle on foot to get the license plate
- Continue flagging normally and ignore the incident
Correct answer: Move quickly out of the driver's path and notify your supervisor immediately
Flaggers must never place themselves in danger; moving out of harm's way and reporting the incident is the correct response.
Question 2: Which personal protective equipment (PPE) color is required for flaggers working on California roadways?
- Blue or green high-visibility vest
- Orange or yellow-green high-visibility vest meeting ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3 (Correct answer)
- Any brightly colored clothing the flagger chooses
- Reflective silver vest rated for nighttime only
Correct answer: Orange or yellow-green high-visibility vest meeting ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or 3
California requires flaggers to wear ANSI/ISEA 107-compliant orange or yellow-green high-visibility garments at Class 2 or higher.
Question 3: When should a flagger use a red flag instead of a stop/slow paddle?
- Whenever traffic speed exceeds 45 mph
- Only during nighttime operations
- Only when a stop/slow paddle is unavailable or as a backup (Correct answer)
- Flags are preferred over paddles on California roads
Correct answer: Only when a stop/slow paddle is unavailable or as a backup
The stop/slow paddle is the standard device; a red flag is only an acceptable substitute when a paddle is unavailable.
Question 4: What minimum distance ahead of a work zone must advance warning signs typically be placed in a 45 mph zone?
- 100 feet
- 350 feet
- 500 feet (Correct answer)
- 1,000 feet
Correct answer: 500 feet
The MUTCD and California standards require advance warning signs to be placed approximately 500 feet before the work zone in a 45 mph speed zone.
Question 5: A flagger notices the work zone layout has changed since the morning briefing. What should the flagger do?
- Adapt on the spot without telling anyone
- Notify the supervisor before resuming flagging (Correct answer)
- Continue with the original plan regardless of changes
- Ask passing drivers for guidance
Correct answer: Notify the supervisor before resuming flagging
Any change in work zone conditions must be communicated to the supervisor so the traffic control plan can be updated accordingly.
Question 6: Which condition most significantly increases a flagger's risk of being struck by a vehicle?
- Standing in a clearly marked flagger station
- Wearing retroreflective gear at night
- Positioning yourself in the travel lane for extended periods (Correct answer)
- Using a two-way radio to coordinate with other flaggers
Correct answer: Positioning yourself in the travel lane for extended periods
Spending unnecessary time standing in an active travel lane dramatically increases the risk of being struck by a distracted or inattentive driver.
Question 7: If a work zone is set up on a curve and sight distance is limited, what additional precaution is required?
- Flaggers may skip advance warning signs on curves
- Increase the distance of advance warning signs and/or add a shadow vehicle
- Post a flagger on both sides of the curve and use longer gaps (Correct answer)
- Reduce the work zone speed limit to 5 mph
Correct answer: Post a flagger on both sides of the curve and use longer gaps
Limited sight distance on curves requires posting flaggers on both approaches and coordinating longer gaps to compensate for reduced visibility.
CA Flagger Safety and Risk Management 2
A driver ignores your stop paddle and accelerates toward the work zone.
What is your FIRST action?