What should employees do if a signal is obstructed or hard to understand?

When a signal is obstructed or hard to understand, prioritizing safety is paramount in any operational setting. Defaulting to the safest course of action ensures that employees are taking the necessary precautions to avoid potential hazards or unsafe situations. This principle aligns with the core values of operational safety and responsibility, emphasizing the importance of not proceeding without clear and reliable information.

Choosing to always prioritize safety helps maintain a culture of vigilance and caution among employees, which is crucial in high-stakes environments such as rail operations. It protects not only the employees themselves but also passengers and infrastructure. By erring on the side of caution, employees are encouraged to evaluate their surroundings and signals carefully, and if there is any ambiguity, they should seek clarification or halt progress until they can confirm what action is safe to take.

This approach is consistent with operational guidelines that advocate for verifying information and ensuring that everyone understands what actions to take when faced with uncertainty. It fosters a safety-first mentality, which is vital to the successful and secure operation of a rail network.