PTS - Personal Track Safety Sentinel Scheme and Fitness Flashcards

What information is held on the Sentinel smartcard and how is it verified on site?

Answer: The worker's name, photograph, Sentinel number, competencies, and their validity periods — verified by scanning the card with a Sentinel reader or the Sentinel app

The Sentinel smartcard holds the worker's identity, competencies, and validity dates. It is verified on site by scanning with a Sentinel reader or the smartphone Sentinel app.

What happens to a worker's Sentinel status if they have not worked on the railway for a prolonged period?

Answer: Certain competencies have activity requirements — extended absence may require a return-to-work process, safety briefing, or competency revalidation before the worker can return to work on the network

Some Sentinel competencies have activity requirements. Workers absent for extended periods may need to complete a return-to-work assessment or revalidation before returning to railway work.

Under the Sentinel scheme, what is a 'fitness to work' requirement and who assesses it?

Answer: Workers must meet defined occupational health standards assessed by an approved occupational health provider before being issued a Sentinel card and at regular intervals thereafter

All Sentinel cardholders must meet defined occupational health standards, assessed by an approved occupational health provider at initial certification and periodically thereafter.

What must a worker do if they take medication that could impair their ability to work safely on the railway?

Answer: Declare the medication to their employer and occupational health provider, and not work on the railway if the medication could impair concentration, reaction time, or physical ability

Any medication that could impair concentration, reaction time, or physical ability must be declared to the employer and OH provider. Workers must not work on the railway if impairment is possible.

What does the Sentinel 'yellow card' (formal safety warning) represent, and what are its consequences?

Answer: A formal record of a significant safety breach, remaining on the worker's Sentinel record and potentially affecting their ability to work on the network

A yellow card is a formal record of a significant safety breach. It remains on the worker's Sentinel record and may result in additional training requirements, restrictions, or dismissal for repeat offences.

What is the purpose of the 'drugs and alcohol' testing regime under the Sentinel scheme?

Answer: To detect and deter the use of drugs and alcohol that could impair a worker's ability to make safe decisions on the railway

Drugs and alcohol testing under the Sentinel scheme aims to detect and deter impairment from substances that could affect a worker's judgement, reaction time, and ability to work safely near trains.