What should you do if the switch points are fouled?

When switch points are fouled, notifying the supervisor immediately is the correct course of action. This is crucial because the supervisor is responsible for ensuring safety protocols are followed and can take necessary steps to resolve the issue. The supervisor may have the authority to halt operations, dispatch personnel to inspect the problem, or initiate corrective measures to ensure safe train movement.

Effective communication is vital in this scenario, as attempting to manually dislodge the obstruction could lead to injury or further complicate the situation. Operating the switch cautiously may not be safe if the condition of the switch is uncertain, and calling for assistance without notifying a supervisor could delay the response that is needed to protect the safety of everyone involved. Hence, timely notification allows for a coordinated and safe response to the issue.