Flagger Card & Traffic Control - Washington (DOSH)

A flagger is the one traffic control device on a work zone that can be hit and killed. Washington writes its own flagger rule on top of the national traffic control manual, and it is specific: the flagger carries a valid flagger card, wears set high-visibility gear day and night, gets an orientation that includes an on-foot escape route, stands where the rule says, puts the phone away, and gets a rest period on a schedule. This Washington Flagger Card & Traffic Control Toolbox Talk walks through WAC 296-155-305 as the flagger and the crew will live it.

Where the boundary of this talk sits#

This talk covers Washington's flagger rule: the card, gear, orientation, traffic control plan, advance warning signs, station placement, and working conditions. How to use the stop/slow paddle, hand signals, and the design of a full traffic control plan belong to the general flagging talk and the MUTCD.

The anchor#

Here is the distinction that carries this whole talk: in Washington a flagger is not just someone handed a paddle — WAC 296-155-305 says to apply its requirements first and then set up traffic control according to Part 6 of the MUTCD, and its requirements include a valid flagger card in the flagger's possession that expires no more than 3 years from issue, Class 2 garments and a high-visibility hard hat day and night, an orientation that covers the on-foot escape route, a 3- or 4-sign advance warning sequence depending on the speed limit, and a rest period of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours with no more than 3 hours without one — so an uncertified flagger, a flagger with no way out, or a flagger standing for five hours straight is a violation even if every sign is in the right place.

Washington first, then the MUTCD#

WAC 296-155-305 opens by saying the employer must first apply the requirements in the section, and then set up and use temporary traffic controls according to the guidelines and recommendations in Part VI of the MUTCD. The Washington rule sits on top of the national manual, not in place of it.

The card#

Under WAC 296-155-305(6)(a), each flagger must have in their possession a valid Washington traffic control flagger card, or a valid flagger card from a state such as Oregon, Idaho, or Montana, or another state with a flagger training reciprocity agreement with Washington. Under (6)(b), the card's expiration date must not exceed 3 years from the date of issuance.

"In their possession" means on the flagger, at the station, not in the office or in the truck across the job.

What the flagger wears#

WAC 296-155-305(5)(a): while flagging during daylight hours, a flagger must wear, as an outer garment, at least:

• a high-visibility safety garment designed according to Class 2 specifications in ANSI/ISEA 107-1999; and
• a high-visibility hard hat that is white, yellow, yellow-green, orange, or red.

WAC 296-155-305(5)(b): while flagging during hours of darkness, defined in the section as one-half hour before sunset to one-half hour after sunrise, a flagger must wear, as an outer garment, at least:

• a Class 2 high-visibility safety garment;
• a high-visibility hard hat marked with at least 12 square inches of retroreflective material applied to provide 360 degrees of visibility; and
• white coveralls, or other coveralls or trousers with retroreflective banding on the legs designed according to ANSI/ISEA 107-1999.

The section adds that when snow or fog limit visibility, pants, coveralls, or rain gear in a highly visible color with retroreflective banding on the legs must be worn.

The orientation and the escape route#

WAC 296-155-305(7)(a) requires a job site orientation for the flagger that covers the flagger's role and location on the job site, motor vehicles and equipment in operation at the site, job site traffic patterns, communications and signals between flaggers and equipment operators, the on-foot escape route, and other hazards specific to the job site.

The escape route is the flagger's plan for the moment a driver doesn't stop. It should be known before the first car arrives, and it should lead away from traffic and away from equipment.

The traffic control plan#

WAC 296-155-305(7)(b) says that if flaggers are used on a job that will last more than one day, the employer, responsible contractor, and/or project owner must keep on site a current, site-specific traffic control plan.

Advance warning signs#

WAC 296-155-305(8)(a) requires, on all flagging operations, a 3-sign advance warning sequence on roadways with a speed limit below 45 mph, and a 4-sign sequence on roadways at 45 mph or higher. The section has a separate provision for mobile operations. Its Table 1 gives sign spacing, for example about 500 feet between signs on rural roads at 45 to 55 mph, about 350 feet at 35 to 40 mph, and about 100 feet on urban streets at 25 mph or less.

Where the flagger stands#

WAC 296-155-305(9)(a) requires flagger stations far enough ahead of the work space that approaching road users have sufficient distance to stop before entering it. Table 2 lists distances, for example 120 feet at 35 mph, 220 feet at 45 mph, and 335 feet at 55 mph. Its note says the spacing may be reduced to fit roadway and worksite conditions and that greater distances are acceptable.

Under (9)(b), flaggers stand either on the shoulder next to the road users being controlled or in the closed lane before stopping them, and a flagger must only stand in the lane being used by moving road users after those road users have stopped. Under (9)(c), flagger stations must be illuminated during hours of darkness by floodlights that do not create glare that is a hazard for drivers.

Attention and rest#

Under WAC 296-155-305(9)(e), flaggers must not use devices that may distract their vision, hearing, or attention, such as cell phones, pagers, radios, and headphones. Under (9)(f), flaggers must receive a rest period of at least 10 minutes, on the employer's time, for each 4 hours of working time, and a flagger must not be allowed to work more than 3 hours without a rest period.

Washington versus federal#

The federal construction rule, 29 CFR 1926.201(a), says that signaling by flaggers and their warning garments must conform to Part 6 of the MUTCD. It does not set a state flagger card, hard hat marking, a night garment package, a job site orientation list, or a rest schedule. Washington adds all of these.

Where the duty sits#

WAC 296-155-305 sets Washington first, then MUTCD Part VI; flagger garments and hard hats (5); the flagger card and 3-year limit (6); orientation, escape route, and traffic control plan (7); advance warning signs (8); and station placement, lighting, distractions, and rest (9). For contrast, federal 29 CFR 1926.201(a).

What can go wrong?#

• A new hire is handed a paddle without a flagger card.
• The card expired last month and nobody checked.
• The flagger's only escape is across the travel lane.
• A flagger works from 7 a.m. to noon without a break.
• The night flagger wears a daytime hard hat with no reflective marking.

How do we manage this properly?#

• Card on the flagger — valid, Washington or reciprocal, not older than 3 years.
• Dress to the rule — Class 2 and a high-visibility hard hat by day; add 12 square inches of reflective marking and reflective leg banding at night.
• Orient every flagger — role, equipment, traffic patterns, signals, escape route, site hazards.
• Sign it right — 3 signs below 45 mph, 4 at 45 mph or higher.
• Light the station at night — without glare.
• No phones; rest on time — 10 minutes every 4 hours, never more than 3 hours without.

Before you start#

Confirm every flagger has a valid card on them. Walk each flagger's escape route. Check the sign sequence and station distance for today's speed limit.

Talk it over#

• Where is your escape route if a driver doesn't stop?
• When does your card expire?
• Who relieves you for your rest period, and when?

The bottom line#

Washington applies its own flagger rule first, then the MUTCD. Every flagger carries a valid card, no more than 3 years old, and wears Class 2 gear with a high-visibility hard hat, plus reflective hard hat marking and leg banding in darkness. Each flagger gets an orientation that includes an on-foot escape route. Signs follow a 3- or 4-sign sequence by speed, stations are placed and lit per the rule, phones are put away, and rest comes at least every 3 hours.

Frequently asked questions about Washington flagger rules#

How long is a Washington flagger card valid?

No more than 3 years. Under WAC 296-155-305(6), each flagger must have in their possession a valid Washington traffic control flagger card, or a valid card from a state with a reciprocity agreement, such as Oregon, Idaho, or Montana, and the card's expiration date must not exceed 3 years from issuance.

Download the Washington flagger card and traffic control toolbox talk PDF#

Download this Washington Flagger Card & Traffic Control Toolbox Talk as a printable PDF in English and Spanish, and review it with every flagger before the first shift on a new job.

Related toolbox talks#

• Flagging and Signaling Safety
• Struck-By Hazards
• Working at Night
• Backing Up Vehicles and Spotters

Sources#

• Washington State Legislature, WAC 296-155-305 — Signaling and flaggers (apply section first, then MUTCD Part VI; (5)(a)–(b) garments and hard hats, hours of darkness, 12 square inches of retroreflective material; (6) card in possession, reciprocity, 3-year limit; (7)(a) orientation and on-foot escape route; (7)(b) site-specific traffic control plan for jobs over one day; (8)(a) 3-sign below 45 mph, 4-sign at 45 mph or higher, Table 1 spacing; (9)(a) Table 2 station distance; (9)(b) position; (9)(c) lighting; (9)(e) distractions; (9)(f) rest periods; WSR 16-09-085, effective 5/20/16): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=296-155-305
• OSHA, 29 CFR 1926.201(a) (flaggers and warning garments per MUTCD Part 6): https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926/1926.201

Written by FieldSafetyTalk's safety professional — a CSP, ASP, CHST and OSHA Authorized Outreach Trainer with 14+ years of international construction safety experience across federal, heavy civil, and industrial projects.

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