PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures 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?

Accepted Answer

Contact the signaller or person in charge immediately.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Place three detonators 20 metres apart, 2km from the obstruction.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Stating "This is an emergency call".

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Raise both arms straight above your head.

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Finding that your issued PPE is slightly damaged before starting work.

Answer

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.

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures Questions and Answers