Who may authorize releasing hand brakes on a blue-flagged train?

• A. The employee who placed the blue flag or the EIC of the employees working on the blue-flagged train.
• B. Any supervisor.
• C. The conductor only.
• D. The dispatcher.

Answer: (A)

Blue-flag protection stops movement to protect workers. Releasing hand brakes is a movement-related action that should only occur when it’s safe to proceed, under the control of the person who placed the blue flag or the Employee In Charge (EIC) of the crew working on the blue-flagged train. The flag placer or the EIC are responsible for confirming all safety conditions are met before any movement, so they are the ones authorized to release the brakes. Supervisors, dispatchers, or conductors don’t automatically have that authority unless they are the flag placer or acting as the EIC.