Keeping Work Zones Safe: Health, Safety, Risk Team Delivers Flagger Certification Course

A participant in a flagger training is wearing a bright orange vest, holding an orange sign that says "slow." He is signaling with this left arm

On Oct. 20 and 21, Management Services’ Health, Safety, Risk team held a Flagger Training to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to safely direct traffic, respond to hazards on the job and reduce risks in active work zones.

A group of people are standing around a table, many are wearing clothing that is bright yellow. On the table is a child's map of a town with toy trucks on the table as well. One person is using the trucks in an exercise to show traffic flow. The four-hour session drew 22 employees from municipalities across the region, including the City of Watervliet, the towns of Knox, Saratoga, Stillwater and Niskayuna. Approved by the National Safety Council, the course meets New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) requirements for flagger certification through a combination of interactive scenarios, classroom instruction, a written examination and a practical skills assessment.

Flaggers serve one of the most critical roles in a roadway work zone. As the primary point of traffic control, they help protect workers, motorists, pedestrians and fellow crew members by ensuring the safe and efficient movement of traffic through work areas. Their focus on safety and communication is essential to every roadway project.

A participant in a flagger training is wearing a bright green/yellow and black sweatshirt. He's holding an orange flag in his right hand and has his left hand raised, signifying stop. Participants received essential instruction on key safety practices, including proper positioning, traffic signaling techniques, hazard recognition and emergency response procedures. As the individuals who interact directly with motorists approaching work zones, flaggers provide an important layer of protection for construction and maintenance crews.

A participant in a flagger training is holding a sign that reads "slow" and his left arm is raised. Throughout the training, the participants shared real-world experiences from their worksites, discussed common safety concerns and explored best practices for carrying out flagger responsibilities safely and effectively. These conversations fostered valuable peer-to-peer learning while reinforcing the importance of maintaining a safe work zone. The course also emphasized practical techniques for navigating dynamic and often unpredictable environments, giving municipal employees the skills needed to manage traffic safely and comply with state and federal traffic control standards.

NYSDOT requires individuals responsible for directing traffic in roadway work zones to complete approved flagger training. Certification helps ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD).