PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a COSS receives a possession, what is the FIRST action they must take before allowing any work to begin?
- Begin work immediately to save time
- Confirm limits with the signaller or controller and establish safe working limits (Correct answer)
- Brief the gang and hand out PPE
- Check weather conditions
Correct answer: Confirm limits with the signaller or controller and establish safe working limits
The COSS must confirm possession limits with the signaller or controller to verify the exact boundaries before any work party enters the track.
Question 2: Which document must a COSS complete to record the handing back of a possession?
- T3 form
- Possession obtained/given up record (T2 or equivalent) (Correct answer)
- Daily attendance register
- Risk assessment sheet
Correct answer: Possession obtained/given up record (T2 or equivalent)
The COSS records the handback on the possession obtained/given up form (T2 or equivalent), confirming all personnel are clear of the line.
Question 3: A COSS is responsible for ensuring which of the following before handing back a possession?
- All tools and personnel are clear of the cess only
- All personnel, tools, and equipment are clear of the line and within defined limits (Correct answer)
- That the work is 100% complete
- That the train driver has been notified personally
Correct answer: All personnel, tools, and equipment are clear of the line and within defined limits
Before handing back, the COSS must verify all personnel, tools, and equipment are clear of the running line within the confirmed limits.
Question 4: If a COSS becomes incapacitated during a possession, what should happen?
- The most senior worker takes over automatically
- Work continues until a replacement arrives
- A nominated look-out takes over all COSS duties
- The possession must be given up immediately and all personnel withdrawn to a place of safety (Correct answer)
Correct answer: The possession must be given up immediately and all personnel withdrawn to a place of safety
If the COSS is incapacitated, the possession must be given up and all personnel moved to safety because no one else is authorised to hold it.
Question 5: Under what circumstance may a COSS delegate their look-out duties to another person?
- Whenever the COSS decides it is convenient
- Never — look-out duties cannot be delegated
- When authorised to do so and the person is a trained look-out (Correct answer)
- Only when the possession is a block on line
Correct answer: When authorised to do so and the person is a trained look-out
A COSS may appoint a trained look-out to perform look-out duties, but remains responsible for overall safety management.
Question 6: How should a COSS communicate the safe working limits to the work party?
- By posting a written notice on the site noticeboard
- By verbally briefing all workers and confirming they understand before work starts (Correct answer)
- By email sent before the shift
- By pointing out limits to the gang leader only
Correct answer: By verbally briefing all workers and confirming they understand before work starts
The COSS must verbally brief all members of the work party on the safe working limits and confirm each person understands before work begins.
Question 7: What action must the COSS take if trains are to pass through an adjacent line while work is in progress?
- Continue work without interruption unless on that line
- Ensure workers are clear of the adjacent line and at a safe distance before the train passes (Correct answer)
- Stop all work until the train passes the entire section
- Erect red flag signals on the adjacent line
Correct answer: Ensure workers are clear of the adjacent line and at a safe distance before the train passes
The COSS must position all workers at a safe distance from the adjacent line before any train passes to prevent injuries from the slipstream or falling objects.
PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 2
When a COSS receives a possession, what is the FIRST action they must take before allowing any work to begin?