Title 49: Transportation
PART 218—RAILROAD OPERATING PRACTICES
Subpart F—Handling Equipment, Switches, and Fixed Derails
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§ 218.109 Hand-operated fixed derails.
(a)(1) Each railroad shall adopt and comply with an operating rule which complies with the requirements of this section. When any person including, but not limited to, each railroad, railroad officer, supervisor, and employee violates any requirement of an operating rule which complies with the requirements of this section, that person shall be considered to have violated the requirements of this section.
(2) Each railroad shall specify minimum requirements necessary for an adequate job briefing.
(b) General. (1) The normal position of fixed derails is in the derailing position except as provided in part 218, subpart B of this chapter, or the railroad's operating rules or special instructions.
(2) Fixed derails shall be kept in the derailing position whether or not any rolling and on-track maintenance-of-way equipment is on the tracks they protect, except as provided in paragraph (b)(1) of this section or when changed to permit movement.
(3) Movement must not be made over a fixed derail in the derailing position.
(c) Employees operating or verifying the position of a fixed derail shall:
(1) Conduct job briefings, before work is begun, each time a work plan is changed, and at completion of the work;
(2) Be qualified on the railroad's operating rules relating to the operation of the derail;
(3) Be individually responsible for the position of the derail in use;
(4) Determine that the target, if so equipped, corresponds with the derail's position;
(5) Determine that the derail is secured by:
(i) Placing the throw lever in the latch stand, if so equipped;
(ii) Placing the lock or hook in the hasp, if so equipped; and
(iii) Testing such latches, locks or hooks; and
(6) Ensure that when not in use, derails are locked, hooked, or latched in the normal position if so equipped.
