Are you looking to buy railroad blue flags for your railyard in Alberta or BC? Northern Platforms supplies a variety of railyard safety signage, including blue flags and blue lights. Keep reading to learn more about these signs, the provincial requirements in Alberta and British Columbia, and the options available at Northern Platforms. Plus, we’ll also cover some additional railcar safety equipment you can purchase for a complete, fully protected railyard. 

What are Blue Flags?

Blue flag railroad safety signs are cautionary signals indicating that workers are on, under, or in the vicinity of rail equipment. They serve as a universal indicator that other workers or locomotives should not approach, move, or couple with the impacted railcar. 

When are Blue Flags Required? 

Blue flags are required for all rail sites whenever railcars are being worked on, loaded, or unloaded, regardless of what material is being dealt with. 

Depending on your jurisdiction, there may be additional requirements or regulations that apply to blue flags on your site. For example, in Alberta, some key additional requirements include:

• Placement of the blue flag on a section of track or on a railway vehicle
• The same crew that places the blue flag must also remove it.
• Operators must be trained on proper blue flag procedures. Written instructions are also required. 

Curious about the blue flag requirements in your location? The team at Northern Platforms has extensive knowledge of safety requirements in both Alberta and British Columbia. Contact us today for more information. 

Types of Railroad Blue Flags Available at Northern Platforms 

While all blue flags serve the same fundamental purpose, these safety signs are available in many different options, including:

Blue Flag Signs (Daytime)

The standard railroad blue flag sign is a physical sign plate constructed of durable material, minimum 30 cm × 38 cm, printed on a blue background with the word “STOP” in white capital letters at least 10 cm high. It is mounted on a pole, affixed to the rail, positioned at right angles to the track, and raised to approximately five feet above the top of the rail so it is clearly visible to approaching movements.

Northern Platforms carries several Aldon railroad blue flag signs. Common sign plate options include “DO NOT MOVE,” “STOP – Employees Working,” “STOP – Tank Car Connected,” “STOP – Crew At Work,” and “No Locomotives Beyond This Point,” among others. Custom signage is also available, and signs can be ordered in English, French, or Spanish.

Blue Lights (Nighttime and Low-Visibility)

Under Canadian Rail Operating Rule (CROR) 26, blue flag protection requires both a blue flag by day and a blue light by night. Northern Platforms can also provide blue lights, including solar-powered, flashing, and magnetic options.

For more information about the different options available, request a quote through our website or call our office for more information! 

Additional Products for Complete Railyard Safety

In addition to railroad blue flags, Northern Platforms also supplies a variety of railyard safety equipment, including: 

Derails

A derail is a physical mechanical device mounted to the rail that, when engaged, will intentionally guide a railcar or locomotive off the track before it can reach the protected work zone. Derails are often paired with blue flags and offer an extra layer of protection if a locomotive or car somehow passes a blue flag that should have stopped it. In this case, the derail forces it off the track rather than allowing it to continue into the area where workers are present. 

Wheel Chocks

Even a small gust of wind or the vibration from a nearby loading operation can send an unsecured railcar rolling. To help prevent dangerous “runaway” situations, railcar wheel chocks are essential. 

Steel-spur railcar wheel chocks bite into the rail to hold the car in place, preventing this uncontrolled movement during loading, unloading, or maintenance operations. They are available in a variety of styles, including options for both exposed rail and flush rail.

For more information about railcar wheel chocks, types, and their uses, read more here: The Ultimate Guide to Railcar Chocks: Types, Uses, and Benefits. 

Switch Cubes 

Normally, railyards use standard placards to indicate which way a track switch is thrown. While this system works during the daytime, it can create serious safety concerns at night. If an incoming crew can’t easily read the switch direction, they could send a railcar down the wrong track and directly into a loading operation. To solve this problem, Northern Platforms supplies Aldon switch cubes.

Switch cubes are illuminated and reflective indicators that clearly show which direction a switch is thrown, regardless of visibility conditions. This product comes in a variety of configurations and options and is particularly useful for facilities with multiple tracks and loading positions.  

Northern Platforms is Your Source for Railcar Safety Equipment 

For most railyards, blue flags are just the beginning. In order to create a safe working environment for all operators, these sites often need wheel chocks, loading platforms, spill containment solutions, and more. That’s where Northern Platforms comes in.

At Northern Platforms, we supply a variety of Aldon railyard safety products for Western Canadian industrial operations. Our catalogue includes blue flag signs, blue lights and solar lighting systems, derails and derail accessories, wheel chocks, switch cube indicators, tank car sockets, and more.

Additionally, we are a turnkey provider for high-quality railcar loading systems, including complete system design and installation of railcar loading arms and fall protection. 

Contact Us for a Railcar Safety Equipment Quote Today

At Northern Platforms, we have nearly 30 years of experience improving the safety and efficiency of industrial operations in Western Canada. We proudly serve businesses in a variety of industries, including oil and gas, agriculture, food and beverage, and more. Interested in partnering with us on your next project or facility upgrade? Explore our products, request a quote through our website, or call our sales teams today. We can’t wait to work with you.