When must a crew member of a disabled train provide flag protection against an assisting train?

A crew member of a disabled train must provide flag protection against an assisting train as prescribed in flag protection guidelines to ensure safety on the tracks. These guidelines are established to mitigate risks associated with disabled trains, such as collisions or accidents while an assisting train approaches.

Flag protection is a critical safety measure and is not solely dependent on requests from the dispatcher, proximity to stations, or directives from a foreign railroad. Instead, these guidelines specify when and how flag protection should be implemented regardless of the circumstances, ensuring that the crew member is proactively safeguarding the safe passage of all trains in the vicinity. This proactive approach aligns with the operational safety of rail transport, maintaining a consistent standard for all crew members to follow in the event of a train disability.