Do whistle boards replace watchman?

Whistle boards serve as a form of visual warning for train operators to alert them of the presence of workers on or near the tracks. However, their function is distinct from that of a watchman, who has responsibilities that involve actively monitoring the safety of workers and ensuring that proper safety protocols are followed in a more hands-on manner.

While whistle boards effectively signal to approaching trains to increase their alertness when passing through work areas, they do not provide the dynamic oversight and immediate communication that a watchman can offer. A watchman can interact with workers, provide real-time updates about train movements, and engage in decision-making to ensure safety protocols are being adhered to. Thus, whistle boards and watchmen fulfill complementary roles in maintaining safety but cannot replace each other. This distinction highlights the importance of human oversight in conjunction with visual signals like whistle boards within a comprehensive worker protection program.