Can a security guard act as a flagger on an Alberta highway?

Only if they are certified as a flagperson as the work zone manual and the contract require. A security licence alone does not make you a flagperson.

Who provides flagger certification in Alberta?

Your employer arranges it. The contract, permit or authorization for the job sets the requirement, so ask your employer which flagger course is accepted.

What speed applies where flaggers work on a two-lane highway?

The 2018 manual lists a 50 km/h work zone speed on two-lane highways where flagpersons or traffic lights control traffic. Always follow the signs posted at the site.

Do drivers have to obey flaggers in Alberta?

Yes. Alberta's roadside worker safety rules tell drivers to obey directions by flag people, and speed fines are doubled when workers are present.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Alberta Traffic Control (Flagger) Course 2026

Question 1 of 25

Which Alberta manual sets the minimum traffic control requirements for work on provincial highways?

The Security Programs Policy Manual
Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones
The Fire Safety Plan Guide
The Alberta Driver's Guide

Show answer

Answer: B. Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones

Alberta Transportation and Economic Corridors publishes the Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones manual with minimum requirements for work zones.

Question 2 of 25

Which Alberta ministry leads the Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones manual?

Transportation and Economic Corridors
Jobs, Economy and Trade
Public Safety and Emergency Services
Municipal Affairs

Show answer

Answer: A. Transportation and Economic Corridors

Alberta.ca lists Transportation and Economic Corridors as the lead ministry for the manual.

Question 3 of 25

Who must follow the minimum requirements in the Traffic Accommodation in Work Zones manual?

Only crews working in Calgary and Edmonton
Only drivers of large trucks in work zones
Only RCMP officers who direct highway traffic
Anyone working under ministry contracts or permits

Show answer

Answer: D. Anyone working under ministry contracts or permits

The manual applies to parties such as contractors, consultants, utility companies and municipalities working under the ministry's contracts, agreements, permits and authorizations.

Question 4 of 25

In Alberta's work zone manual, what is a Traffic Accommodation Strategy (TAS)?

A schedule of security guard shifts on site
A list of drivers who got speeding tickets
A tourist map of the provincial highways
Plans and written procedures for handling traffic

Show answer

Answer: D. Plans and written procedures for handling traffic

The 2018 edition of the manual defines a TAS as the plans and written procedures that detail traffic accommodation activities for work in the highway right-of-way.

Question 5 of 25

On an Alberta ministry construction or maintenance contract, who prepares the Traffic Accommodation Strategy?

The local fire department
A security guard on the site
The contractor
The first driver through the zone

Show answer

Answer: C. The contractor

The 2018 edition of the manual says the contractor prepares the TAS for ministry construction and maintenance contracts.

Question 6 of 25

What does Alberta's work zone manual require of all flagpersons?

Hold an Alberta security service licence
Be certified, with proof readily available
Be at least 25 years old with five years of work
Be appointed as peace officers by the RCMP

Show answer

Answer: B. Be certified, with proof readily available

Section 5.6.1 of the 2018 manual says all flagpersons must be certified and their certification must be readily available.

Question 7 of 25

Is a flagperson who runs an automated flagger assistance device (AFAD) exempt from Alberta's flagger certification and clothing rules?

Yes, the device replaces those rules
No, but they need no training on the device
Yes, if the device has a backup battery
No, and they also need training on the AFAD

Show answer

Answer: D. No, and they also need training on the AFAD

The 2018 edition of the manual says flagpersons operating AFADs are not exempt from the certification and apparel rules and must get specific AFAD training.

Question 8 of 25

An AFAD stops working while traffic is moving through the work zone. What must the flagperson be able to do?

Wave all traffic through until it is fixed
Leave the site and call the device maker
Close the highway for the rest of the day
Take over the flagging by hand right away

Show answer

Answer: D. Take over the flagging by hand right away

The 2018 edition of the manual says that if the device fails, the flagperson must be able to take over flagging duties immediately.

Question 9 of 25

According to Alberta's work zone manual, which device does NOT need a flagperson to operate it?

A portable traffic signal
A hand-held sign paddle
A red/yellow automated flagger assistance device
A stop/slow automated flagger assistance device

Show answer

Answer: A. A portable traffic signal

The 2018 edition of the manual says portable traffic signals do not require a flagperson. AFADs and paddles are run by a flagperson.

Question 10 of 25

Which standard must a flagperson's coveralls meet under Alberta's work zone manual?

No standard applies to flaggers
CSA Z96 Class 3 Level 2
Any bright clothing the worker owns
CSA Z94.1 for hardhats

Show answer

Answer: B. CSA Z96 Class 3 Level 2

The 2018 edition of the manual requires coveralls that meet the Class 3 Level 2 requirements of the most current CSA Z96 standard, with a permanent CSA label.

Question 11 of 25

What colour must flagperson coveralls be under Alberta's work zone manual?

Any colour, if a vest is worn over it
Fluorescent yellow-green with silver stripes
Fluorescent orange with plain white stripes
Dark navy blue with reflective trim

Show answer

Answer: B. Fluorescent yellow-green with silver stripes

The 2018 edition of the manual calls for fluorescent yellow-green coveralls with silver retroreflective striping on a fluorescent red-orange background.

Question 12 of 25

A flagperson's coveralls are faded and the CSA label has come off. What does the Alberta manual say?

They must be replaced
They are fine in daylight
Only the label needs to be sewn back on
They can be worn until the end of the season

Show answer

Answer: A. They must be replaced

The 2018 edition of the manual says clothing must be clean and in good condition, and faded, torn, dirty or unlabelled coveralls must be replaced.

Question 13 of 25

Under Alberta's work zone manual, what must a flagperson wear on the head where there is a foreseeable risk of head injury?

An orange hardhat that meets CSA Z94.1
A white hardhat with a company logo on it
A dark toque with a reflective band on it
A yellow ball cap with reflective stripes

Show answer

Answer: A. An orange hardhat that meets CSA Z94.1

The 2018 edition of the manual says that where a head injury could happen, flagpersons wear fluorescent orange hardhats meeting CSA Z94.1. Otherwise any fluorescent orange headgear is allowed.

Question 14 of 25

What do flagpersons use to signal drivers at night under Alberta's work zone manual?

Hand-held red traffic signal wands
Car headlights pointed at traffic
A flashlight held under the chin
Only hand signals with no light

Show answer

Answer: A. Hand-held red traffic signal wands

The 2018 edition of the manual says night flagpersons use hand-held red traffic signal wands bright enough to be clearly seen by approaching traffic.

Question 15 of 25

How must flagging stations be lit at night under Alberta's work zone manual?

By the headlights of the first car in line
By the flagperson's phone screen
They should stay dark so drivers are not distracted
By overhead lighting

Show answer

Answer: D. By overhead lighting

The 2018 edition of the manual requires flagging stations to be illuminated by overhead lighting at night.

Question 16 of 25

In Alberta's work zone manual, where does a work zone start and end?

From one town limit to the next town limit
Only the exact spot where the crew is digging
From the first flagperson to the last flagperson
First advance warning sign to last construction sign

Show answer

Answer: D. First advance warning sign to last construction sign

The 2018 edition of the manual defines the work zone as the area from the first advance warning sign to the last construction sign.

Question 17 of 25

In Alberta's work zone manual, what is the buffer zone?

The stretch of road after the last sign
The fastest lane that traffic uses past the site
From the end of the transition area to the work area
The parking area set aside for workers' trucks

Show answer

Answer: C. From the end of the transition area to the work area

The 2018 edition of the manual defines the buffer zone as the area from the end of the transition area to the actual work area.

Question 18 of 25

On a two-lane Alberta highway, what work zone speed does the 2018 work zone manual list where traffic is controlled by flagpersons or traffic lights?

50 km/h
30 km/h
100 km/h
80 km/h

Show answer

Answer: A. 50 km/h

The 2018 edition of the manual lists a 50 km/h work zone speed on two-lane highways where traffic is controlled by flagpersons or traffic lights.

Question 19 of 25

Traffic is backing up past the "Flagperson Ahead" sign. What does Alberta's manual say may be needed?

Asking the drivers at the back to turn around
More flagpersons or devices, or moving signs back
Removing the signs so traffic moves faster
Letting drivers pass on the right-hand shoulder

Show answer

Answer: B. More flagpersons or devices, or moving signs back

The 2018 edition of the manual says that when queues form, more flagpersons or devices may be needed and flagging signs may need to be moved back.

Question 20 of 25

How often must traffic control devices be inspected under Alberta's work zone manual?

Once a week, at the start of the first work day
Start and end of each work day, and if signs move
Only after a crash has happened in the work zone
Once a month, by an inspector from the ministry

Show answer

Answer: B. Start and end of each work day, and if signs move

The 2018 edition of the manual requires daily inspections at the start and end of work and whenever signs are moved or changed, with a written record.

Question 21 of 25

What happens to speeding fines in Alberta when construction workers are present?

They are cut in half
They are doubled
They are cancelled
They stay the same

Show answer

Answer: B. They are doubled

Alberta's roadside worker safety rules say speed fines are doubled when construction workers, or a stopped roadside vehicle with flashing lights, are present.

Question 22 of 25

A driver in Alberta passes a stopped maintenance truck with flashing lights but cannot move to the far lane. What must the driver do?

Speed up to get past the truck quickly
Honk the horn and keep driving at the same speed
Slow to 60 km/h or the posted limit, if lower
Stop fully until the truck drives away

Show answer

Answer: C. Slow to 60 km/h or the posted limit, if lower

Alberta's rules say drivers must move over or, if they cannot do so safely, slow to at least 60 km/h or the posted limit, whichever is lower.

Question 23 of 25

Under Alberta's OHS Act, what must an employer make sure of before a worker controls traffic?

That the worker has worked there for one year
That the worker is adequately trained for the work
That the worker has a security licence
That the worker owns a car

Show answer

Answer: B. That the worker is adequately trained for the work

Section 3(2) of the OHS Act requires employers to ensure workers are adequately trained in all matters needed to do their work in a healthy and safe manner.

Question 24 of 25

Which part of Alberta's OHS Code includes the section on vehicle traffic control?

Part 12: General Safety Precautions
Part 28: Working Alone
Part 18: Personal Protective Equipment
Part 7: Emergency Preparedness and Response

Show answer

Answer: A. Part 12: General Safety Precautions

Section 194, "Vehicle traffic control," is in Part 12 of the OHS Code, next to section 191 on signallers.

Question 25 of 25

You are a licensed security guard with no flagger certification. Your supervisor asks you to stop highway traffic for a delivery. What should you do?

Stand in the lane and wave your arms at cars
Say you are not certified and ask for a flagger
Use your flashlight to signal the cars to stop
Do it, since your security licence covers it

Show answer

Answer: B. Say you are not certified and ask for a flagger

The 2018 edition of the manual requires flagpersons to be certified. A security licence does not make you a flagperson, so ask for a certified worker.

Alberta Traffic Control (Flagger) Course 2026

Quick answer

What you will learn

What to know before the test

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Related tests