# 49 CFR § 218.23: Blue signal display

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.23

## Section

- **Citation:** 49 CFR § 218.23
- **Heading:** Blue signal display
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** September 22, 2026
- **Source:** Publisher's official text
- **Location:** Title 49—Transportation > Subtitle B—Other Regulations Relating to Transportation > CHAPTER II—FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION > PART 218—RAILROAD OPERATING PRACTICES > Subpart B—Blue Signal Protection of Workers

## Text

(a) Blue signals displayed in accordance with § 218.25, 218.27, or 218.29 signify that workers are on, under, or between rolling equipment. When so displayed—
(1) The equipment may not be coupled to;
(2) The equipment may not be moved, except as provided for in § 218.29;
(3) Other rolling equipment may not be placed on the same track so as to reduce or block the view of a blue signal, except as provided for in § 218.29 (a), (b) and (c); and
(4) Rolling equipment may not pass a displayed blue signal.
(b) Blue signals must be displayed in accordance with § 218.25, 218.27, or 218.29 by each craft or group of workers prior to their going on, under, or between rolling equipment and may only be removed by the same craft or group that displayed them.

## Nearby sections

- [49 CFR § 218.1 § 218.1 Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.1.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.3 § 218.3 Application.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.3.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.4 § 218.4 Preemptive effect.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.4.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.5 § 218.5 Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.5.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.7 § 218.7 Waivers.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.7.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.9 § 218.9 Civil penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.9.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.11 § 218.11 Filing, testing, and instruction.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.11.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.21 § 218.21 Scope.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.21.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.22 § 218.22 Utility employee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.22.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.23 § 218.23 Blue signal display.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.23.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.24 § 218.24 One-person crew.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.24.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.25 § 218.25 Workers on a main track.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.25.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.27 § 218.27 Workers on track other than main track.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.27.md)
- [49 CFR § 218.29 § 218.29 Alternate methods of protection.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.29.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/ecfr-49-218.23. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.