PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Upon discovering a significant track defect that poses an immediate danger to trains, what is the very first action a PTS cardholder must take?
- Walk 2km up the track to place detonators.
- Attempt to repair the defect if it is minor.
- Contact the signaller or person in charge immediately. (Correct answer)
- Use a Track Circuit Operating Clip on the adjacent line.
Correct answer: Contact the signaller or person in charge immediately.
The primary and most critical first step in any emergency where there is a potential danger to trains is to contact the signaller (or COSS/person in charge) immediately. This allows them to stop trains using signals, which is the quickest and safest method to protect the line.
Question 2: You are on track and witness a vehicle crash through the fence and land foul of the line you are working on. A train is not in sight. After contacting the signaller, you are instructed to provide emergency protection. What is the correct procedure for using detonators?
- Place one detonator 2km from the obstruction.
- Place three detonators 10 metres apart, 1km from the obstruction.
- Place two detonators as close to the obstruction as possible.
- Place three detonators 20 metres apart, 2km from the obstruction. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Place three detonators 20 metres apart, 2km from the obstruction.
The standard procedure for providing emergency protection requires walking towards oncoming trains for 2 kilometres (1 1/4 miles) and placing three detonators on the rail, 20 metres apart.
Question 3: When making an emergency call to the signaller, which of the following is the most critical piece of information to convey first?
- Your Sentinel card number.
- The weather conditions at your location.
- Your name and employer.
- Stating "This is an emergency call". (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Stating "This is an emergency call".
To ensure the call is treated with the urgency it requires, you must begin by stating, "This is an emergency call." This immediately alerts the signaller to the critical nature of the communication, prompting them to give you their full attention and prioritise your message.
Question 4: If you are required to stop a train in an emergency during daylight hours and you do not have a red flag, what is the correct hand signal to use?
- Wave one arm from side to side.
- Raise both arms straight above your head. (Correct answer)
- Hold one arm straight out horizontally.
- Swing any light-coloured object vigorously.
Correct answer: Raise both arms straight above your head.
The recognised hand danger signal to stop a train in an emergency during daylight is to raise both arms straight above your head. This is a clear, unambiguous signal to the train driver. Waving a light vigorously is the signal for darkness or poor visibility.
Question 5: Which of the following situations would NOT typically require you to make an emergency call to the signaller?
- Noticing a fire on the lineside that is spreading towards the track.
- Observing children trespassing on the railway line far in the distance.
- Finding that your issued PPE is slightly damaged before starting work. (Correct answer)
- Seeing a train passing with a door not properly closed.
Correct answer: Finding that your issued PPE is slightly damaged before starting work.
While damaged PPE is a safety concern that must be addressed with your supervisor before starting work, it does not pose an immediate danger to trains and therefore does not require an emergency call to the signaller. The other options (fire, trespassers, and an unsafe train) all present immediate or potential dangers to the operational railway and require an emergency call.
Question 6: After placing detonators for emergency protection, what is the minimum safe distance you must position yourself from them while waiting to display a hand danger signal?
- 10 metres
- 50 metres
- 30 metres (Correct answer)
- Directly next to the last detonator
Correct answer: 30 metres
For your own safety from the exploding detonators, you must move at least 30 metres away from them after they have been placed. From this position, you can safely display a hand danger signal to the approaching train.
PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers
Upon discovering a significant track defect that poses an immediate danger to trains, what is the very first action a PTS cardholder must take?