PTS Emergency Procedures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a worker discovers an unexpected track obstruction, what is the FIRST action they must take?
- Remove the obstruction immediately
- Warn approaching trains and protect the track (Correct answer)
- Call the supervisor and wait for instructions
- Continue working and report at shift end
Correct answer: Warn approaching trains and protect the track
The immediate priority is to warn approaching trains and protect the track to prevent a collision.
Question 2: Which signal is used to stop a train in an emergency when standard equipment is unavailable?
- Two long whistle blasts
- Waving both arms horizontally above the head (Correct answer)
- A steady red light held stationary
- Repeated short blasts on a horn
Correct answer: Waving both arms horizontally above the head
Waving both arms horizontally above the head is the recognized hand signal to stop a train.
Question 3: A worker is injured on the track and a train is approaching. What must happen FIRST?
- Administer first aid immediately
- Clear all workers from the track and protect the approach (Correct answer)
- Call 911 before doing anything else
- Flag the train from the nearest signal box
Correct answer: Clear all workers from the track and protect the approach
Protecting the approach to prevent a second collision takes precedence over first aid.
Question 4: What does it mean when a flagman displays a red flag or red light to an approaching train?
- Slow to restricted speed
- Proceed with caution at 10 mph
- Stop immediately (Correct answer)
- Prepare to stop at next signal
Correct answer: Stop immediately
A red flag or red light displayed by a flagman is an absolute stop signal for an approaching train.
Question 5: Under PTS rules, how far in advance of a work area must emergency protection be established on high-speed track?
- At least 500 feet
- At least 1,500 feet or the maximum braking distance, whichever is greater (Correct answer)
- At least 800 feet
- The distance specified by the foreman only
Correct answer: At least 1,500 feet or the maximum braking distance, whichever is greater
Protection must be placed at least 1,500 feet away or the maximum braking distance—whichever is greater—to allow trains to stop in time.
Question 6: If a worker hears the emergency alarm but cannot immediately see the hazard, what should they do?
- Continue working until they can confirm the hazard type
- Immediately move to the designated place of safety (Correct answer)
- Investigate the source of the alarm first
- Notify the flagman and wait for confirmation
Correct answer: Immediately move to the designated place of safety
Workers must immediately move to the designated place of safety without waiting to identify the specific hazard.
Question 7: After an emergency evacuation from the track, workers must NOT return until:
- Five minutes have elapsed
- They have been given the all-clear by an authorized person (Correct answer)
- The train that caused the alarm has passed
- A supervisor calls their cell phone
Correct answer: They have been given the all-clear by an authorized person
Only an authorized person can issue the all-clear and permit workers to return to the track.
PTS Emergency Procedures 2
When a worker discovers an unexpected track obstruction, what is the FIRST action they must take?