PTS - Personal Track Safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Flashcards

What class of high-visibility vest is required for workers on or adjacent to a Network Rail operational line?

Answer: Class 2 or Class 3 high-visibility clothing meeting EN ISO 20471

Workers on or near Network Rail operational lines must wear at least Class 2 high-visibility clothing meeting EN ISO 20471, and Class 3 in higher-risk situations.

Why must safety footwear worn on track have ankle support as well as a steel toecap?

Answer: Because railway ballast is uneven and unstable, creating a high risk of ankle injury without adequate support

Railway ballast is highly irregular and unstable underfoot. Ankle support in addition to a steel toecap significantly reduces the risk of ankle sprains and fractures from slips on ballast.

What is the correct action if a worker's high-visibility vest is found to be damaged at the start of a shift?

Answer: Replace it with a serviceable vest before accessing the railway — damaged high-vis does not meet the required standard

Damaged high-visibility clothing must be replaced before railway access — damaged garments do not provide adequate visibility and do not meet the EN ISO 20471 standard.

When is a hard hat mandatory for PTS holders working on or near the track?

Answer: Whenever there is a risk of head injury from falling objects, overhead structures, or moving equipment — as defined in the site risk assessment

Hard hats are required whenever the site risk assessment identifies a risk of head injury, including work near overhead structures, in tunnels, under bridges, or near plant and equipment.

What type of gloves should be used when handling sharp metalwork or rail components on track?

Answer: Cut-resistant gloves meeting EN 388 standard

When handling sharp metalwork, rail components, or cut materials, workers must use cut-resistant gloves meeting EN 388 to protect against lacerations.

What is the legal basis for employers providing PPE to track workers?

Answer: The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended), which require employers to provide suitable PPE free of charge where risks cannot be adequately controlled by other means

The Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992 (as amended in 2022) require employers to provide suitable, correctly fitted PPE free of charge where risks cannot be sufficiently reduced by other means.