When any function of a signal is to be taken out of service, what needs to be done?

When any function of a signal is to be taken out of service, what needs to be done?

• A. Post a note at the control panel
• B. Only the supervisor must be notified
• C. No formal action is required
• D. Operator or dispatch must be notified and Form C & S 39 completed

Answer: (D)

Taking any function of a signal out of service creates a safety-sensitive condition that must be coordinated and documented. The proper procedure is to notify the operator or dispatch and complete Form C and S 39. Notifying the operator ensures trains are managed under the current restrictions, and the forms provide an auditable record of what is out of service, where, why, for how long, and who authorized it. Merely posting a note at the control panel doesn’t guarantee all affected parties are informed or provide formal documentation, while relying only on a supervisor or taking no action would leave crews uninformed and the outage untracked.

Taking any function of a signal out of service creates a safety-sensitive condition that must be coordinated and documented. The proper procedure is to notify the operator or dispatch and complete Form C and S 39. Notifying the operator ensures trains are managed under the current restrictions, and the forms provide an auditable record of what is out of service, where, why, for how long, and who authorized it. Merely posting a note at the control panel doesn’t guarantee all affected parties are informed or provide formal documentation, while relying only on a supervisor or taking no action would leave crews uninformed and the outage untracked.