I was watching the Baily Yard webcam and I noticed a small, blue blinking light which appeared to be mounted on the coupler of an ES44. The engine was at the refueling facility and was coupled to several other engines. the set was not moving. Please could I have info?
This is a signal that someone is working between cars or under cars–it tells everyone else DO NOT MOVE THIS CAR (OR TRAIN)! Only the person who put it there or someone else in his trade is authorized to remove it.
Generally referred to as blue flag protection. As noted, a blue flagged unit cannot be moved. Only the person (or craft) that placed the flag can remove it. If I find a unit is blue flagged and I know that all of the mechanical department folks are gone for the weekend, I have to roust one of them out to come pull the blue flag down.
Here’s the rule from NORAC:
[quote]
16. Blue Signal Protection of Workers This rule prescribes the procedures for the protection of railroad workmen who work on, under or between equipment. “Workmen” refers to one or more employees assigned to inspect, test, repair, or service engines and/or cars. Train and Engine Service Employees are excluded except when assigned to perform work on equipment that is not part of movement they have been called to operate.
a. Restrictions Once a Blue Signal has been displayed, the following restrictions apply:
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The equipment must not be coupled to or moved. EXCEPTION: When under the direction of the employee in charge of the workmen, engines may be repositioned within an Engine Servicing Track Area, and cars may be repositioned within a Car Shop Repair Track Area. Employees on the affected track must be informed of the movement, and Blue Signals must be removed from the equipment to be repositioned or coupled. The Blue Signals need not be removed from the switches or derails providing access to the track.
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Other equipment must not be placed on the same track in a manner that will reduce or block the view of a Blue Signal.
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Equipment must not pass a displayed Blue Signal.
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Only a person of the same group or craft that displayed the signals may remove it, after all the workmen are clear.
b. Responsib
NO TOUCHEE! - DON’T EVEN THINK OF MOVING THAT THING (or track) until the person who placed the blue flag/blue light removes it.
Railroad version of lockout/ tagout. ( & much older than the OSHA rule!)
As MC says, this rule was in effect long before OSHA was even dreamed of. When I was working on my college’s building and ground crew, I did some work under conditions that would have given an OSHA inspector heart failure. I’ll just say that we were very careful.
I remember doing the lockout/tagout training a few times and thinking how much it reminded me of the blue flag rules. Specifically only the person who placed the blue flag was authorized to remove it.