PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety COSS Roles and Responsibilities 2

Question 1

What is the maximum number of workers that a COSS can directly control on a railway worksite?

Accepted Answer

The number is determined by the nature of the work, the site conditions, and the risk assessment — but a COSS must always be able to directly supervise and communicate with all workers under their control

Answer

There is no limit — a COSS can control any number of workers

Answer

A COSS can control a maximum of 10 workers at any time

Answer

A COSS can control up to 20 workers on any site

Question 2

What happens to the COSS's responsibilities when they temporarily hand over control of the site to another COSS?

Accepted Answer

A formal documented handover must take place, including briefing the incoming COSS on all hazards, protections, and workers — responsibility only transfers once the handover is complete and confirmed

Answer

Responsibility transfers fully and immediately on verbal agreement

Answer

The outgoing COSS retains legal responsibility regardless of handover

Answer

Handovers can only happen at the start of a new shift, not mid-shift

Question 3

What is the COSS's duty if they believe the site conditions make the planned safe system of work no longer adequate?

Accepted Answer

Immediately suspend work, withdraw workers to a position of safety, and not resume until a revised safe system of work is in place and agreed with the relevant authority

Answer

Continue work but document the concern and submit it to the safety manager later

Answer

Carry on and rely on workers' experience and awareness to manage the additional risk

Answer

Reduce the working area and continue with fewer workers

Question 4

What must a COSS do when a worker refuses to follow a safety instruction given during the site brief?

Accepted Answer

Do not allow the non-compliant worker to access the track — workers who refuse to comply with safety instructions must be removed from the site

Answer

Allow the worker to work in their preferred way as long as they accept personal responsibility

Answer

Issue a warning but allow work to continue to avoid disrupting the programme

Answer

Consult with other workers about whether the instruction is reasonable

Question 5

What ongoing record-keeping responsibilities does a COSS have during a work shift?

Accepted Answer

The COSS must maintain a site record including workers present, protection arrangements obtained and surrendered, key communications with the signaller, and any safety events or changes to the safe system of work

Answer

Record-keeping is optional — verbal briefing is sufficient for small sites

Answer

Records are only required for shifts longer than 4 hours

Answer

Only the Principal Contractor is responsible for site records — the COSS has no documentation duty

Question 6

What is the COSS's responsibility regarding workers' fitness to work at the start of a shift?

Accepted Answer

The COSS must carry out a visual and verbal assessment of each worker's fitness at the start of the shift and must not allow any worker who appears unfit onto the track

Answer

Fitness is the sole responsibility of the worker — the COSS need not assess it

Answer

Fitness checks are only required for workers who have been absent due to illness

Answer

The COSS only checks fitness if a worker self-declares a problem