What must an employee do before operating a dual control switch by hand?

An employee must obtain permission from the control operator before operating a dual control switch by hand to ensure safety and proper communication within the operations of the railway. The control operator is responsible for overseeing train movements and the integrity of the track configuration, and their permission ensures that the action of switching does not interfere with ongoing operations or traffic. This step is crucial in preventing accidents or mishaps that could arise from unauthorized changes to the switch position while trains are approaching or in close proximity.

While consulting the maintenance schedule, notifying nearby trains, and checking weather conditions might be relevant in other contexts, they do not directly address the requirement for permission when manually operating a dual control switch. Hence, obtaining this permission from the control operator is essential for coordination and operational safety.