PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology Questions and Answers

Question 1

In railway terminology, what does the term 'four-foot' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The area between the two running rails of a single track.

Answer

The 'four-foot' is the common industry term for the space between the two rails of a track. The name is derived from the standard track gauge, which is approximately 4 feet 8.5 inches.

Question 2

What is the fundamental difference between working in a 'Red Zone' and a 'Green Zone'?

Accepted Answer

In a Red Zone the line is open to traffic and requires a safe system of work, whereas in a Green Zone the line is blocked to all train movements.

Answer

A 'Green Zone' is a work area where the line has been formally blocked, meaning no trains can enter the section. A 'Red Zone' is where work takes place while the line remains open to traffic, necessitating a robust safe system of work (such as a Lookout) to protect staff from moving trains.

Question 3

A Lookout, appointed as part of a safe system of work, sounds an urgent warning of an approaching train. What is the immediate and required action for all staff on or near the line?

Accepted Answer

Immediately stop work, acknowledge the warning, and move to the designated position of safety.

Answer

The Lookout's warning is an absolute instruction that requires an immediate response. All work must cease instantly, the warning must be acknowledged (usually by raising an arm), and all personnel must move to the pre-agreed position of safety without any delay.

Question 4

Which of the following best defines a 'position of safety' according to PTS rules?

Accepted Answer

A location at least 1.25 metres from the nearest running rail for lines up to 100mph, or 2 metres for lines over 100mph.

Answer

The official PTS definition of a position of safety is based on a minimum distance from the nearest running rail. For lines with speeds up to 100 mph, this is 1.25 metres. For lines with speeds over 100 mph, the distance increases to 2 metres to provide a greater margin of safety.

Question 5

You are working near a track equipped with Overhead Line Equipment (OLE). What is the most critical and immediate hazard presented by OLE?

Accepted Answer

The risk of electrocution from the high-voltage lines.

Answer

Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) in the UK typically carries 25,000 volts of alternating current (25kV AC). Contact, or even coming too close with tools or equipment, can cause a fatal electric shock as the current can arc. This is the most severe and immediate life-threatening hazard associated with OLE.

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology Questions and Answers