FLAGGER CERTIFICATION

• The term "certified" only applies to MaineDOT employees and contractors/utilities on Maine DOT projects.
• Under State law since 1991, "all privately employed flaggers must have training consistent with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)".
• As a result of annual flagger injuries and deaths, MaineDOT has improved MaineDOT Specification 652 which requires flagger certification on all projects using State and/or Federal funds. MaineDOT has also instituted an administrative policy (DOT APM 422) in late 2000 for the protection of workers and the driving public and to improve the overall quality of flagging in Maine. This policy pertains to "certification", and not solely "training".

FLAGGER CERTIFIERS

• Any person interested in becoming a "flagger certifier", can contact any of the Five MaineDOT Regional Offices

or the Community Services Division in Augusta (624-3270). This person's duties are found [here].
• All potential flagger certifiers must be tested and approved by MaineDOT. Training in advance of the testing is not mandatory, but highly recommended.
• A State-approved flagger certifier accepts the responsibility of administering flagger tests to their own employees and ensuring that those flaggers are capable and qualified to control traffic on MaineDOT work sites.
• The flagger certifier test will be a written test followed by a short demonstration test. Passing scores must be attained on both tests to be State-approved. Certification is for an indefinite period, unless performance problems result in revocation.
• A list of all flagger certifiers will be maintained by MaineDOT and may be available on the MaineDOT website.
• All flagger certifiers are certified to only test their own potential employed flaggers and terminate a certified flagger due to substandard performance.
• All flagger certifiers can revoke flagger certification due to poor or substandard performance.
• MaineDOT retains the authority to revoke the certification of any approved flagger certifier due to poor or substandard performance.
• All flagger tests administered by flagger certifiers must be modeled after the MaineDOT tests.

FLAGGERS

• Any flagger working for MaineDOT, or on an MaineDOT project, must be tested by their employer’s flagger certifier and must carry their agency’s certification card at all times.
• A flagger certifier can revoke any flagger card due to poor or substandard performance.
• Any flagger working on a non-MaineDOT project is not required to be certified, unless specifically required by the agency.

MaineDOT will NOT be directly in the flagger training business. The Department will offer several training resources by way of mail, phone, or website.

This page last updated on 05/31/05