Work Zone Traffic Control and Flagging

Working safely where construction meets traffic, followed through the invented Cottonwood Place project by Tallgrass Construction in San Antonio, Texas: who is killed and injured in work zones, OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G, the MUTCD 11th edition and the Texas MUTCD, the parts of a temporary traffic control zone, traffic control plans, signs, channelizing devices, barriers and arrow boards, taper, buffer and device spacing calculations, flagger training, equipment, positions and signals, alternating one-lane traffic and automated flagger assistance devices, night work and high-visibility apparel, mobile and short-duration work, and internal traffic control for backing trucks, spotters, pedestrians and the public.

HSE-373 12 lessons · 4 h 4 min ▶ Video lessons coming soon

Offered by HSM University · Safety Training

This is the American version of this course. See the Canadian version.

What you'll learn

Explain who is killed and injured in work zones, the difference between passing traffic and construction traffic, and the recurring causes of work zone crashes.
Apply OSHA 1926 Subpart G, the MUTCD 11th edition, the Texas MUTCD and the road authority's permit requirements to work near traffic.
Identify the advance warning, transition, activity and termination areas of a temporary traffic control zone and explain the purpose of each part, including the buffer space.
Read, check and set up a traffic control plan in the correct sequence, and handle changes to the plan through the road authority.
Choose, size, place and space temporary regulatory, warning and guide signs, and keep signs consistent with actual conditions.
Select channelizing devices, barriers and arrow boards for the speed, duration and hazard, and use arrow board modes correctly.
Calculate merging, shifting and shoulder taper lengths, buffer lengths from stopping sight distance, and device spacing.
Describe the training, equipment and positioning required for flaggers.
Use standard paddle signals and control alternating one-lane traffic with radios, pilot cars, temporary signals or automated flagger assistance devices.
Plan night work with suitable lighting and glare control, and select and maintain high-visibility apparel of the correct class.
Protect short-duration, mobile and street-side work with protective vehicles, truck-mounted attenuators and short-duration plans.
Prepare an internal traffic control plan that minimizes backing, uses spotters safely and protects pedestrians, cyclists and the public.

Course content

12 lessons · 4 h 4 min total · final exam

1 Work zone deaths and who is at risk 21 min · quiz
2 The rules: OSHA, the MUTCD and the road authority 20 min · quiz
3 Parts of a temporary traffic control zone 20 min · quiz
4 Traffic control plans and layouts 20 min · quiz
5 Signs: types, sizes, placement and spacing 20 min · quiz
6 Channelizing devices, barriers and arrow boards 20 min · quiz
7 Taper lengths, buffer spaces and device spacing 23 min · quiz
8 Flaggers: training, equipment and positions 20 min · quiz
9 Hand signals, alternating one-lane traffic and automated devices 20 min · quiz
10 Night work, visibility and high-visibility apparel 20 min · quiz
11 Mobile and short-duration operations, and work in the street beside the site 20 min · quiz
12 Internal traffic control: backing, spotters, blind spots, pedestrians and the public 20 min · quiz
E Final exam 20 questions

Requirements

HSE-370 Construction Site Safety Essentials

Recommended background. You can start any course at any time.