PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the context of PTS, what does the abbreviation 'COSS' stand for?
- Controller of Site Safety (Correct answer)
- Competent Officer of Safe Systems
- Controller of Site Supervisors
- Competent On-Site Supervisor
Correct answer: Controller of Site Safety
COSS stands for Controller of Site Safety, a Network Rail defined role responsible for safe system of work on the track.
Question 2: A COSS notices that a worker in the party does not hold a valid PTS card. What must the COSS do?
- Allow the worker to observe from the cess as long as they do not touch anything
- Immediately exclude that worker from the possession and ensure they move to a place of safety (Correct answer)
- Ask the worker to sign a disclaimer and proceed
- Contact the contractor and allow work to continue
Correct answer: Immediately exclude that worker from the possession and ensure they move to a place of safety
No person without a valid PTS authority may enter the track environment; the COSS must remove that individual from the possession immediately.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the COSS's responsibility for the safe system of work?
- To record work outputs for the project manager
- To ensure that at all times the planned safe system of work is being correctly implemented (Correct answer)
- To liaise with Network Rail on progress of works
- To carry out quality inspections on completed work
Correct answer: To ensure that at all times the planned safe system of work is being correctly implemented
The COSS is personally responsible for ensuring the safe system of work is correctly applied at all times throughout the possession.
Question 4: What is the maximum number of work parties a single COSS may simultaneously manage under a possession?
- As many as needed on the same line
- One work party at a time, unless specifically authorised otherwise in the safe system of work (Correct answer)
- Three, provided they are within sight of each other
- Two, if both are within radio contact
Correct answer: One work party at a time, unless specifically authorised otherwise in the safe system of work
A COSS should manage one work party at a time; managing additional parties requires explicit authorisation in the safe system of work documentation.
Question 5: A COSS receives a verbal instruction from a supervisor to extend the working limits beyond the confirmed possession. What should the COSS do?
- Comply if the supervisor outranks the COSS
- Refuse and explain that limits can only be changed by re-negotiating with the signaller or controller (Correct answer)
- Extend the limits cautiously and inform the signaller afterwards
- Radio the driver of the next train to warn them
Correct answer: Refuse and explain that limits can only be changed by re-negotiating with the signaller or controller
Possession limits are set by the signaller or controller; no supervisor or other person has authority to extend them — the COSS must refuse and seek a formal re-negotiation.
Question 6: Why must a COSS carry out a site-specific risk assessment brief before work begins?
- It is a legal requirement under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations only
- To identify site-specific hazards not covered by generic method statements and communicate them to the work party (Correct answer)
- To satisfy insurance requirements for the contractor
- To record headcount for payroll purposes
Correct answer: To identify site-specific hazards not covered by generic method statements and communicate them to the work party
The site-specific brief identifies hazards unique to that location and ensures every worker is aware before they enter the track environment.
Question 7: When a COSS is working with a look-out, who retains ultimate responsibility for the safety of the work party?
- The look-out, because they are watching for trains
- The senior worker in the gang
- The COSS (Correct answer)
- Network Rail's on-call controller
Correct answer: The COSS
The COSS retains overall and ultimate responsibility for the safety of the work party at all times, regardless of who is performing look-out duties.
PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 3
In the context of PTS, what does the abbreviation 'COSS' stand for?