PTS - Personal Track Safety Safe Systems of Work Flashcards

What must a COSS confirm before establishing a safe system of work at a new worksite?

Answer: That the limits of the safe system have been agreed and are understood by all workers

The COSS must establish and communicate the exact limits of the safe system so every worker knows where they may work safely.

If a train approaches outside its booked path while workers are on site, the first priority is to:

Answer: Ensure all workers are clear of the line before the train passes

Worker safety takes absolute priority; everyone must be in a place of safety regardless of whether the train movement was expected.

Which of the following would INVALIDATE a Lookout-Warned safe system?

Answer: Workers using powered tools that produce noise masking the Lookout's warning

If noise from tools prevents workers from hearing the Lookout's warning, the system cannot function and must be replaced with a higher level of protection.

A 'Line Blockage' safe system guarantees worker safety by:

Answer: Arranging for all train movements on the relevant line to be suspended

A Line Blockage suspends train movements through the block section containing the worksite, making the line train-free.

The term 'engineering possession' means that:

Answer: Responsibility for a section of line has been formally transferred from the signaller to the Engineering Supervisor

An engineering possession formally hands control of a defined track section from the signal operator to the Engineering Supervisor for the duration of the work.

Workers must NOT foul the line (step onto or over the running rail) unless:

Answer: A safe system is in place that specifically permits it

Fouling the line is only permissible when a valid safe system explicitly covers that activity.

What record must the COSS keep to demonstrate that the safe system of work was properly established?

Answer: A written record including worker briefing, system limits, and times

The COSS must maintain a written record of the briefing, the limits of the safe system, and the times it was established and closed.