(1) Blue flag or light for railroad
operations.
(a) A blue signal (blue flag or
blue light for nonilluminated areas) must be displayed at one or both ends of
an engine, car(s), or train, to indicate that workers are under or about the
railway equipment.
(b) When such
warning devices are displayed, the equipment must not be coupled to or
moved.
(c) On a dead end spur, a
blue signal may be displayed adjacent to the switch opening while cars are
being loaded or unloaded.
(2) Blue signals and derails.
(a) Work being carried on which subjects
employees to the hazard of moving railroad equipment must be protected by blue
signals and locked derails set a minimum of 50 feet from one or both ends of
the worksite.
(b) Where the spur
track switch is less than 50 feet from the work location, the switch padlocked
in the open position will take the place of the derail and the blue signal must
be placed at that point.
(3) Signals unobscured. Equipment which would
obscure the blue signal must not be placed on the track.
(4) Signals displayed by each maintenance
crew. Each maintenance crew must display and remove its own set of blue
signals.
(5) Warning device.
(a) A flashing warning light or other device
must be installed near any opening which leads to a passageway crossing
railroad tracks adjacent to the building.
(b) Such light or device must be activated
prior to any switching or movement of railroad equipment to warn workers of the
dangerous condition in the area.
(6) Cars to be immobilized. Spotted cars must
either have brakes set, wheels blocked, or must be coupled to other immobilized
cars to prevent each car from rolling.
(7) Crawling under or between coupled cars
prohibited. Workers must not crawl under or pass between coupled railroad cars
to cross tracks.
(8) Warning at
road crossing. An audible whistle, horn or bell must be sounded by the
locomotive engineer to give adequate warning prior to switching across any road
crossing.
(9) Flying switches. When
switching railroad equipment in congested areas or across roadways or walkways
"flying switches" must be prohibited.
(10) Car opening devices. All box car doors
and associated mechanisms must be carefully inspected before workers attempt to
open or close them. If the door is not free and cannot be opened safely by
hand, equipment must be provided, where necessary, and a safe method must be
used to open or close the door.
(11) Clearance from railroad tracks.
Materials must not be stacked or piled closer than 8 1/2' from the center line
of a standard gauge railroad track.
(12) Operating under limited visibility
conditions.
Unless trains are operated in a manner to allow the operator to
see a safe stopping distance in the direction of travel, a flag person(s) must
be positioned in such a manner to safely direct movement of the train.
(13) A flag person must:
(a) Remain within sight of the operator; or
(b) Be equipped to maintain visual
or voice communication with the operator as conditions dictate.
(14) A flag person must direct the
movement of trains being moved across main roads or thoroughfares which do not
have adequate traffic warning lights, bells or barricades.
