Who is responsible for ascertaining that all flagging appliances and devices are in proper working condition?

The responsibility for ascertaining that all flagging appliances and devices are in proper working condition falls on all employees. This inclusive approach emphasizes safety and operational integrity, as maintaining flagging equipment is crucial for safe railway operations. Each employee is trained to recognize the importance of flagging devices and is expected to conduct routine checks to ensure they are functioning correctly. This fosters a culture of accountability and vigilance across the workforce, ensuring that any potential issues can be identified and addressed promptly, thus enhancing overall safety protocols.

The other roles mentioned, such as the engineer, dispatcher, and maintenance team, have specific responsibilities but do not carry the comprehensive obligation to check flagging equipment like all employees do. While engineers and maintenance teams play critical roles in operation and upkeep, the preventative safety practices involve input and awareness from the entire workforce.