Section 408.16338. Blue flag warning.

(1) A locomotive or locomotive crane shall use  a   blue  flag, blue light or derailer when:

(a)   An employee may be endangered by railcars being pushed into an area in which they are working.

(b)   Loading or unloading railcars, oiling or servicing a railcar, locomotive or locomotive crane.

(2)   When it is not possible to place a blue flag  or  blue   light  at  a switch, it shall be placed at least 50 feet from the end of the last car at both ends of the car or cars. At stub-end tracks a blue flag or blue light is necessary only at the open end.

(3)   A blue flag and blue light shall be marked with the name of the department placing it.

(4)  A blue flag or blue light shall not be removed except by the  person who places it, except if an employee does not remove his blue flag or blue light and cannot be located, his supervisor after making a thorough check of the track area in question, in company  with   an   operating  man,   may remove the blue flag or blue light.

(5)   Where 2 or more groups are working in the same location, a responsible employee or supervisor from each group shall each place a blue flag or blue light as specified in subrules (1) and (2) of this rule.

History: 1979 AC.