Peter,
To answer your question, yes, if 3 people were working a track, all 3 could place their Blue Flag ID on the locomotive, but in reality, only one guy does.
One flag or three, the results are the same, the locomotive/train cannot move until the tag is removed, so one employee will flag the train, one will lock out the switches and flag the track, and all three lace up hoses and do the inspection.
Once complete, the person who tagged the locomotive will remove his tag, and we proceed.
Everyone in the car department has their own blue ID card, their own personal Blue Flag.
Not sure how other roads do this, but it works for us, I would assume the other carriers have some form of the same thing, but the basic idea behind the blue flag is the same across the board.
23 17 46 11
Thank you guys.
edblysard answered my main question with the ID tag. If I lock out a power source then no one but me can energizer it. There is only one key to my padlock and that stays with me always. So I understand that if there are 3 people working on the locomotive each person puts his/her blue flag on the control stand? Does each workman get their own blue ID?
Thanks a bunch.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
IINM, the railroad industry adopted the safety convention of "locking in" with blue flags/blue lanterns much earlier than many other industries (in fact, they may be the originator).
"I Often Dream of Trains"-From the Album of the Same Name by Robyn Hitchcock
http://www.utu1904.com/files/Download/GCOR_6th_ed.pdf
A link to the latest edition of the GCOR, the General Code of Operating Rules.
Blue flag rule is rule 5.13, rather lengthy, but the short answer to your question is the blue flag, be it a hang tag on the control stand or a steel blue “flag “outside the locomotive must be attached to the locomotive in such a way as to be clearly visible to anyone on, in or around the locomotive.
Once flagged the locomotive may not be coupled into, nor may anything be uncoupled from it, except under very specific circumstances in servicing areas.
Only a member of the craft that applied the blue flag may remove it.
Tracks are blue flagged at both ends, nothing may be moved in those tracks, nothing added to them or removed.
Switches are lined away from blue flagged tracks, and locked out to prevent accidental movement into the tracks, the locks are different from the standard lock, only the car department have keys to these locks, T&E employees are forbidden to have a key, and forbidden to apply or remove these locks.
On my railroad, if a carman is going to work engine air on a track, (use the locomotive’s compressor to air up the cars and perform an initial terminal brake test) he hangs his “blue flag” ID on the control stand, after the engineer removes the reverser, opens the generator field and applies the independent (locomotive only) brake.
This blue ID looks a lot like a standard employee ID, complete with a photograph of the employee; the ID itself is blue and constitutes a flag.
Once in place on the control stand, the train crew can do nothing but sit until the employee retrieves his:” blue flag”, and only that employee whose photo is on the ID may remove it.
The blue flag rule is one of those inviolable rules, there is no arguing and no debate about it, if you break the rule, you are fired outright, no hearing, no investigation, just gone.
Larry, this is, indeed, a little more comprensive that the rule in effect 63 years ago. The Rock Island Uniform Code of Operating Rules effective May 1, 1950, is much briefer:
26. Blue Signal--A blue signal displayed at one or both ends of an engine, car or train, indicates that workmen are under or about it; when thus protected it must not be coupled to or moved. Each class of workmen will display the blue signals and only the same workmen are authorized to remove them. Other equipment must not be placed on the same track so as to intercept the view of the blue signals, without first notifying the workmen.
Johnny
Blue signal as defined in NORAC rules:
BLUE SIGNAL: A clearly distinguishable blue flag, blue light or blue tag by day, or a blue light or blue tag by night. When displayed, it signifies that workers are on, under or between equipment.
BLUE SIGNAL:
A clearly distinguishable blue flag, blue light or blue tag by day, or a blue light or blue tag by night. When displayed, it signifies that workers are on, under or between equipment.
The rule itself:
16. 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: 1. 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. 2. Other equipment must not be placed on the same track in a manner that will reduce or block the view of a Blue Signal. 3. Equipment must not pass a displayed Blue Signal. 4. Only a person of the same group or craft that displayed the signals may remove it, after all the workmen are clear. b. Responsibilities of Workmen Before going on, under, or between engines and/or cars, workmen must take the actions prescribed below. Each craft or group of workmen must display their own Blue Signals. If the equipment is on a track other than a main track or controlled siding: 1. Attach a Blue Signal to the controlling engine(s) at a location where it will be clearly visible to an employee at the controls of that engine. 2. Line each hand-operated switch providing access to the track against movement to the track, and lock each switch with an effective locking device. EXCEPTION: A derail locked in derailing position with an effective locking device may substitute for the hand-operated switch requirement. The derail must be positioned no less than 150 feet from the end of the equipment, except as follows. When equipment is in an Engine Servicing Track Area or a Car Shop Repair Track Area, where maximum authorized speed is not more than 5 MPH, the derail must be positioned no less than 50 feet from the end of the equipment. 3. Display a Blue Signal at each of the hand-operated switch and/or derail locations mentioned above. 4. Request and receive protection from the employee controlling any remotely controlled switches that provide access to the track. This procedure also applies to hump yard classification tracks where employees couple air hoses or adjust coupling devices. If the equipment is on a main track or controlled siding: 1. Display a Blue Signal at each end of the equipment. 2. Attach a Blue Signal to the controlling engine(s) at a location where it will be clearly visible to an employee at the controls of that engine. c. Responsibilities of Employee Controlling Remotely Controlled Switches When requested to provide protection, the employee in charge of remotely controlled switches providing access to the track on which the equipment is located must line the switches against movement to the track and apply blocking devices. The employee must not remove the blocking devices until informed by the employee in charge of the workmen that the work has been completed. The employee controlling the switches must immediately make a written record on the prescribed form of the application and removal of the blocking device protection. This record must be retained for 15 days following the date of removal. d. Blue Signal Unavailable When emergency repair work is to be done on, under, or between engines and/or cars, and a Blue Signal is not available, the Engineer must be notified. The Engineer must take three actions: 1. Apply the brakes. 2. Place the reverser lever in neutral position or the controller in off position. 3. Open the generator field and/or control switch where equipped. The engineer must maintain this protection until notified by the employee who requested it that the protection is no longer required. e. Markers Blue Signal protection must be provided for workmen when they are: 1. Replacing, repositioning or repairing markers, and the rear of the train is on any track. 2. Inspecting markers by repositioning the activation switch or covering photoelectric cell, and the rear of the train is on a track other than a main track or controlled siding. f. Alternate Protection for Utility Employees A Utility Employee is a train and engine service employee who is temporarily assigned to a train or yard crew to assist the crew in assembling, disassembling, or operating trains. When the protection procedures and restrictions prescribed below have been complied with, Utility Employees may engage in the following activities without blue signal protection: setting or releasing brakes; coupling or uncoupling air hoses or other electrical or mechanical connections; preparing equipment for coupling; setting wheel blocks or wheel chains; performing air brake tests, including the cutting in or out of air brake components and the positioning of retaining valves; inspecting, testing, installing, removing or replacing markers or end of train devices. Under all other circumstances a Utility Employee working on, under or between equipment must have blue signal protection. The following procedures and restrictions apply to the protection of Utility Employees: 1. A Utility Employee may perform service with only one train or yard crew at a time, and no more than 3 Utility Employees may be assigned to the same crew. 2. The train or yard crew must be assigned a controlling engine that is under the control of the assigned Engineer. 3. The Engineer must be in the cab of the controlling engine. If the engine is stationary, the Engineer may be replaced in the cab by another crew member. 4. Before beginning any duties with a crew, the Utility Employee must obtain permission from the crew’s Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is assigned. 5. The Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is assigned, must notify each crew member of the presence and identity of the Utility Employee before authorizing the Utility Employee to work as part of the crew. Thereafter, communication must be maintained so that each crew member understands the duties to be performed and whether those duties will cause any crew member to go on, under, or between the equipment. 6. When the Utility Employee has finished working with the crew, the Utility Employee must notify the Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is present, who in turn must notify each crew member that the Utility Employee is no longer part of the crew. After each crew member has acknowledged the Utility Employee is no longer part of the crew, the Utility Employee must be notified that he is released from the crew.
16. 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:
1. 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.
2. Other equipment must not be placed on the same track in a manner that will reduce or block the view of a Blue Signal.
3. Equipment must not pass a displayed Blue Signal.
4. Only a person of the same group or craft that displayed the signals may remove it, after all the workmen are clear.
b. Responsibilities of Workmen
Before going on, under, or between engines and/or cars, workmen must take the actions prescribed below. Each craft or group of workmen must display their own Blue Signals.
If the equipment is on a track other than a main track or controlled siding:
1. Attach a Blue Signal to the controlling engine(s) at a location where it will be clearly visible to an employee at the controls of that engine.
2. Line each hand-operated switch providing access to the track against movement to the track, and lock each switch with an effective locking device.
EXCEPTION: A derail locked in derailing position with an effective locking device may substitute for the hand-operated switch requirement. The derail must be positioned no less than 150 feet from the end of the equipment, except as follows. When equipment is in an Engine Servicing Track Area or a Car Shop Repair Track Area, where maximum authorized speed is not more than 5 MPH, the derail must be positioned no less than 50 feet from the end of the equipment.
3. Display a Blue Signal at each of the hand-operated switch and/or derail locations mentioned above.
4. Request and receive protection from the employee controlling any remotely controlled switches that provide access to the track. This procedure also applies to hump yard classification tracks where employees couple air hoses or adjust coupling devices.
If the equipment is on a main track or controlled siding:
1. Display a Blue Signal at each end of the equipment.
2. Attach a Blue Signal to the controlling engine(s) at a location where it will be clearly visible to an employee at the controls of that engine.
c. Responsibilities of Employee Controlling Remotely Controlled Switches
When requested to provide protection, the employee in charge of remotely controlled switches providing access to the track on which the equipment is located must line the switches against movement to the track and apply blocking devices.
The employee must not remove the blocking devices until informed by the employee in charge of the workmen that the work has been completed. The employee controlling the switches must immediately make a written record on the prescribed form of the application and removal of the blocking device protection.
This record must be retained for 15 days following the date of removal.
d. Blue Signal Unavailable
When emergency repair work is to be done on, under, or between engines and/or cars, and a Blue Signal is not available, the Engineer must be notified. The Engineer must take three actions:
1. Apply the brakes.
2. Place the reverser lever in neutral position or the controller in off position.
3. Open the generator field and/or control switch where equipped.
The engineer must maintain this protection until notified by the employee who requested it that the protection is no longer required.
e. Markers
Blue Signal protection must be provided for workmen when they are:
1. Replacing, repositioning or repairing markers, and the rear of the train is on any track.
2. Inspecting markers by repositioning the activation switch or covering photoelectric cell, and the rear of the train is on a track other than a main track or controlled siding.
f. Alternate Protection for Utility Employees
A Utility Employee is a train and engine service employee who is temporarily assigned to a train or yard crew to assist the crew in assembling, disassembling, or operating trains.
When the protection procedures and restrictions prescribed below have been complied with, Utility Employees may engage in the following activities without blue signal protection: setting or releasing brakes; coupling or uncoupling air hoses or other electrical or mechanical connections; preparing equipment for coupling; setting wheel blocks or wheel chains; performing air brake tests, including the cutting in or out of air brake components and the positioning of retaining valves; inspecting, testing, installing, removing or replacing markers or end of train devices.
Under all other circumstances a Utility Employee working on, under or between equipment must have blue signal protection.
The following procedures and restrictions apply to the protection of Utility Employees:
1. A Utility Employee may perform service with only one train or yard crew at a time, and no more than 3 Utility Employees may be assigned to the same crew.
2. The train or yard crew must be assigned a controlling engine that is under the control of the assigned Engineer.
3. The Engineer must be in the cab of the controlling engine. If the engine is stationary, the Engineer may be replaced in the cab by another crew member.
4. Before beginning any duties with a crew, the Utility Employee must obtain permission from the crew’s Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is assigned.
5. The Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is assigned, must notify each crew member of the presence and identity of the Utility Employee before authorizing the Utility Employee to work as part of the crew. Thereafter, communication must be maintained so that each crew member understands the duties to be performed and whether those duties will cause any crew member to go on, under, or between the equipment.
6. When the Utility Employee has finished working with the crew, the Utility Employee must notify the Conductor, or Engineer if no Conductor is present, who in turn must notify each crew member that the Utility Employee is no longer part of the crew. After each crew member has acknowledged the Utility Employee is no longer part of the crew, the Utility Employee must be notified that he is released from the crew.
Larry Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date Come ride the rails with me! There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...
Blue flags or lights have to be posted at each end of the cut of cars, train, or locomotive being worked on and can only be removed by the one working on them. Nothing can move, no couplings or uncouplings, nothing moves between the blue flags.
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Hi guys.
I work in the mining industry. When I have to do maintenance on some part of the plant I have to lock out and tag out the power supply. Only I can remove my tag and lock. If someone else is also working on it he too has to lock out/tag out the power also. There could be be many locks on the power supply.
When a consist of locomotives is being worked on do all the technicians Blue flag/ tag out? Where exactly does this blue flag/ tag go? If one unit is being worked on can the other units be uncoupled and moved away even if there is a blue flag on the down unit?
Thanks.
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