What action must be taken by an employee assigned to protect work locations upon reporting for work?

An employee assigned to protect work locations must secure flagging equipment upon reporting for work. This is crucial for ensuring the safety of both workers on site and passing trains. Securing the flagging equipment means that the employee is prepared to set up appropriate warning signals and protective measures that will alert train crews of the work zone ahead. This action is a fundamental step in establishing a safe working environment, as it provides necessary visual signals that indicate the presence of work activities and potential hazards.

While inspecting the work site is important for assessing safety conditions, it does not directly address the immediate need to protect the area from train movements. Similarly, communicating with contractors is necessary for coordination but is secondary to securing the flagging equipment. Preparing a report might be relevant for documentation purposes but is not an immediate action that ensures safety and protection at the worksite. Therefore, the priority should be placed on securing flagging equipment to ensure that the area is immediately marked and safe for ongoing activities.