PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A COSS realises that the actual site conditions differ significantly from those described in the method statement. What is the correct course of action?
- Proceed with work and update the method statement afterwards
- Stop work, withdraw personnel to a place of safety, and report to the person in charge for further instructions (Correct answer)
- Ask the gang leader to adapt the method on the spot
- Continue at reduced speed and inform the project manager at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Stop work, withdraw personnel to a place of safety, and report to the person in charge for further instructions
When site conditions differ significantly from the planned safe system of work, the COSS must stop work and withdraw personnel until a revised safe system is agreed.
Question 2: Which of the following checks must the COSS perform on a look-out before deploying them?
- Check that the look-out holds a valid look-out competence and has appropriate equipment (Correct answer)
- Check the look-out's physical fitness with a medical test
- Check that the look-out has more than five years of railway experience
- Verify the look-out's employment contract
Correct answer: Check that the look-out holds a valid look-out competence and has appropriate equipment
The COSS must confirm the look-out holds a current look-out competency and has all required equipment such as a horn and hi-vis before deployment.
Question 3: At what point during a possession does the COSS's responsibility for the work party begin?
- When the first tool is used on the track
- From the moment the possession is obtained and the work party enters the safe working limits (Correct answer)
- From the time stated on the work order
- Only after all workers have signed the attendance register
Correct answer: From the moment the possession is obtained and the work party enters the safe working limits
The COSS's responsibility begins as soon as the possession is obtained and the work party is brought within the safe working limits.
Question 4: If a COSS loses radio or telecommunications contact with the signaller during a possession, what must they do?
- Continue work and restore contact when possible
- Stop work and withdraw the work party to a place of safety until communication is restored (Correct answer)
- Send a runner to the nearest signal box
- Reduce the working limits to half the original distance
Correct answer: Stop work and withdraw the work party to a place of safety until communication is restored
Loss of communication with the signaller means the COSS can no longer manage the possession safely, so work must stop and personnel must be withdrawn.
Question 5: A worker in the gang reports feeling unwell and asks the COSS if they can rest in the cess while others continue. What should the COSS do?
- Allow the worker to rest in the cess as it is a place of safety
- Arrange for the worker to be escorted off the track to a safe location away from the running line (Correct answer)
- Ask the worker to stay alert and continue if they can manage
- Continue work and check on the worker every 15 minutes
Correct answer: Arrange for the worker to be escorted off the track to a safe location away from the running line
An unwell worker should be removed from the track environment entirely; the cess is not a safe resting place during live operations.
Question 6: The COSS role requires the individual to be 'fit for duty'. Which of the following would make a COSS unfit to perform their role?
- Having less than ten years of railway experience
- Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs judgement (Correct answer)
- Working a shift longer than six hours
- Not wearing high-visibility trousers
Correct answer: Being under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication that impairs judgement
Any substance that impairs judgement renders the COSS unfit for duty and unable to discharge their safety responsibilities.
Question 7: Which person has the authority to grant a COSS a possession of a running line?
- The contractor's site manager
- The signaller or person in control of the line (controller) (Correct answer)
- The work party's gang leader
- The COSS themselves after confirming the line is clear
Correct answer: The signaller or person in control of the line (controller)
Only the signaller or controller who controls the line has the authority to grant a possession to a COSS.
PTS COSS Roles and Responsibilities 4
A COSS realises that the actual site conditions differ significantly from those described in the method statement.
What is the correct course of action?