Flaggers are individuals trained to control traffic on construction sites. The Traffic and Safety Engineering Branch, part of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), manages the flagger program in Colorado. To become certified as a flagger, an individual must complete training with an entity certified by the state and pass a proctored test with a score of at least 80%. Flagger certification is valid for two years from the date of certification. After that, flaggers must retake and pass the certification test again.
County Road and Bridge employees must be trained in and hold a Flagger Certification to control traffic in county work zones legally. CTSI’s Loss Control Team are Certified Proctors for CDOT’s Flagger Certification Program and can provide the required training for county employees. The flagger certification course includes the written test. Certification cards are issued to those who score at least 80% on the written test.
According to the Center for Construction Research and Training, 1,451 construction workers were killed in road construction work zones between 2012 and 2023, with an average of 121 fatalities each year. Most were struck by vehicles or mobile equipment, such as dump trucks or paving equipment. Flaggers had the highest risk of being killed, underscoring the importance of proper training to protect workers and reduce liability. In addition, the National Safety Council reports that 850 people were killed and more than 42,000 were injured in work zone crashes in 2024, highlighting the continued need for safe work zone practices.
If a vehicle accident or any related public injury occurs in a county’s roadway work zone due to a non-certified flagger’s decision or actions, the county and the CAPP Pool could be placed in a difficult position to defend against potential negligence claims. It also may affect CAPP’s ability to successfully assert Governmental Immunity on the county’s behalf. In 2023, preliminary data from the National Safety Council reported 568 construction zone fatalities, including all work zone deaths, not just construction workers.
CTSI strongly recommends that all county road and bridge departments maintain Flagger Certification to safely and legally conduct work zone traffic control activities while helping reduce liability exposure and keep claim costs down for both the county and the Pool. As an alternative, CTSI recommends that counties consider subcontracting work zone traffic control and flagger duties to a qualified, licensed traffic control contractor or other contractor that employs Certified Flagger staff. Contact any CTSI Loss Control Team member for more information or to schedule a Flagger Certification class. For more information, contact CTSI at 303.861.0507.
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