Flagger Equipment
HAND-SIGNALING
DEVICES (2003 MUTCD,
Section 6E.03)
The
STOP/SLOW paddle should be the primary and preferred hand-signaling
device because the
STOP/SLOW
paddle gives road users more positive guidance than red flags. Use
of flags should be limited to emergency situations.
The
STOP/SLOW paddle shall have an octagonal shape on a rigid handle.
STOP/SLOW paddles shall be at least 450 mm (18 in) wide with letters
at least 150 mm (6 in) high and should be fabricated from light
semirigid material. The background of the STOP face shall be red
with white letters and border. The background of the SLOW face shall
be orange with black letters and border. When used at night, the
STOP/SLOW paddle shall be retroreflectorized.
As
an option, the STOP/SLOW paddle may be modified to improve conspicuity
by incorporating either white or red flashing lights on the STOP
face, and either white or yellow flashing lights on the SLOW face.
The flashing lights may be arranged in several patterns as noted
in the MUTCD.
Flags, when used, shall be a minimum
of 600 mm (24 in) square, made of a good grade of red material, and
securely fastened to a staff that is approximately 900 mm (36 in)
in length. The free edge of a flag should be weighted so the flag
will hang vertically, even in heavy winds. When used at nighttime,
flags shall be retroreflectorized red.
Source: FHWA's
2003 Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)
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