PTS Knowledge 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the term 'fouling the track' mean in railroad safety?
- Contaminating the rail with grease
- Occupying a position where equipment could strike you (Correct answer)
- Blocking a signal light with debris
- Causing a derailment by placing objects on the rail
Correct answer: Occupying a position where equipment could strike you
Fouling the track means being in a position where moving railroad equipment could make contact with you or items you are carrying.
Question 2: When must a PTS employee stop and verify safety before crossing tracks?
- Only when a train is visible
- Only at designated crossing points with active signals
- Any time before stepping onto or crossing any track (Correct answer)
- Only when instructed by a roadmaster
Correct answer: Any time before stepping onto or crossing any track
Employees must stop, look both ways, and ensure it is safe before crossing any track, every single time.
Question 3: Which color flag is used to indicate a danger/stop condition on railroad tracks?
- Yellow
- Blue
- Green
- Red (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Red
Red flags signal danger and require all trains and equipment to stop before that point.
Question 4: What is a 'blue flag' used for in railroad operations?
- To indicate a slow order is in effect
- To protect workers who are on, under, or between equipment (Correct answer)
- To signal an all-clear after maintenance
- To mark the beginning of a restricted speed zone
Correct answer: To protect workers who are on, under, or between equipment
Blue flags are placed to protect workers on, under, or between rolling equipment — the equipment must not be moved while the blue flag is in place.
Question 5: What is the minimum distance a worker must maintain from the nearest rail when not in a designated safe zone?
- 2 feet
- 4 feet (Correct answer)
- 6 feet
- 8 feet
Correct answer: 4 feet
Workers must stay at least 4 feet from the nearest rail unless they have a specific reason to be closer and appropriate protection.
Question 6: Who is responsible for briefing all workers on track safety hazards before work begins?
- The nearest signal maintainer
- The train dispatcher
- The job supervisor or designated lookout (Correct answer)
- Any senior employee present
Correct answer: The job supervisor or designated lookout
The job supervisor or designated lookout is responsible for conducting a job briefing that covers all known hazards before work begins.
Question 7: What action should a worker take if they lose communication with the lookout or protection source?
- Continue working but move closer to the right-of-way edge
- Stop all work immediately and move to a place of safety (Correct answer)
- Signal the nearest train with a hand gesture
- Wait 60 seconds before resuming work
Correct answer: Stop all work immediately and move to a place of safety
Loss of communication with protection means protection cannot be guaranteed, so all work must stop immediately and workers must move to safety.
PTS Knowledge 2
What does the term 'fouling the track' mean in railroad safety?