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 Hand signals.


Employees whose duties may require them to give hand signals must have the proper appliances, keep them in good order and ready for immediate use. Night signals must be used from sunset to sunrise and when day signals cannot be plainly seen. Note:  The hand or a flag displayed in the same manner as the lantern, which is illustrated in the following diagrams, gives the same indication.
 
STOP - Swung from side to side at right angle to the track.
 
 
MOVE BACKWARD - Swung in a circle at right angle to the track at a speed in proportion to the speed required.
 
 
MOVE FORWARD - Raised and lowered at a speed in proportion to the speed required.
 
 
APPLY AIR BRAKES - Raised and swung horizontally above the head, at right angle to the track when standing.
 
 
RELEASE AIR BRAKES - Raised and held at arm's length above the head when standing.
 
 
REDUCE SPEED - Held horizontally at arm's length.
 
 
(a) Any object waved violently by anyone on or near the track is a signal to stop.
 
(b) A signal given to move forward or move backward must be given in relation to the front of the controlling locomotive.
 
(c) A signal must be given in sufficient time before the required action to permit compliance. It must be given from a point where it can be plainly seen, and in such a manner that it cannot be misunderstood. If there is doubt as to the meaning of a signal, or for whom it is intended, it must be regarded as a stop signal.
 
(d) Whenever practicable, when switching is being performed, required signals shall be given directly to the employee controlling the locomotive.
 
(e) When moving under the control of hand signals, the disappearance from view of either the crew member or lights by which signals controlling the movement are being given, must be regarded as a stop signal.
 
(f) A crew member, whose movement is clear of the main track, must not give an approaching movement a hand signal to move forward.