Traffic Control Person / Flagger Online Course

In the Traffic Control Person / Flagger Online Course, workers will learn:

• 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 authorizations

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

To accomplish this, many worksites employ workers called Traffic Control Persons, or 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), 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 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 that 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 jobsite 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

Duration

The Traffic Control Person Certification Training Course takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

Testing

Participants in the Traffic Control Person Training/ Traffic Flagger Online Course will be assessed by a test after viewing the course material. Participants must achieve a mark of 80% or higher to earn their certificate of completion. Those that do not reach the required mark will be allowed to repeat the course two additional times. Supplemental materials necessary to complete this course can be accessed online.

Certificate of Completion

Participants who successfully pass the Traffic Control Safety Training Course will earn a certificate of completion which they can print out or download for their records.

How To Protect Construction Workers from Vehicular Traffic:

• Develop and use a site plan    
• Use flaggers, traffic cones, and/or highway channeling devices
• Use standard road signs or message boards to warn approaching vehicles
• Give motorists plenty of warning    
• Ensure that the work zone is well lit

What is a Traffic Control Person?

A Traffic Control Person is a person who controls traffic on a construction site. They are responsible to keep traffic flowing safely through a construction area. There are usually two or more traffic control persons working at the same construction zone to keep traffic flowing safely in each direction.

More Information:

OSHA Work Zone Safety and Traffic Control within a Work Area

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