PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety COSS Roles and Responsibilities 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A COSS is about to start work but the planned protection method has become unavailable. What is the correct course of action?
- Implement the next available protection method and inform the group
- Stop work, do not allow the group onto the line, and escalate to the PICOP (Correct answer)
- Use a temporary lookout arrangement until the original method is restored
- Proceed with reduced staff numbers to lower risk exposure
Correct answer: Stop work, do not allow the group onto the line, and escalate to the PICOP
If the planned protection method is unavailable, the COSS must not allow anyone onto the line and must immediately escalate to the PICOP.
Question 2: How many working days' notice is typically required for a COSS to arrange a block of line (possession) through their company's planning process?
- 1 working day
- At least 3 working days
- At least 14 working days (Correct answer)
- At least 28 working days
Correct answer: At least 14 working days
Network Rail's planning rules generally require at least 14 working days' notice to obtain a possession, though emergency exceptions exist.
Question 3: What must the COSS do if they observe a worker leaving a place of safety without authorisation while a train is approaching?
- Shout a warning and continue coordinating the group
- Sound the emergency warning immediately and ensure the line is clear (Correct answer)
- Report the worker to HR after the train passes
- Inform the signaller and wait for the train to pass before addressing the issue
Correct answer: Sound the emergency warning immediately and ensure the line is clear
An immediate emergency warning must be given to alert all personnel; protecting life takes absolute priority over any other action.
Question 4: In the context of PTS, what does the acronym 'COSS' stand for?
- Controller of Site Safety (Correct answer)
- Coordinator of Safety Systems
- Chief Operations Site Supervisor
- Control Officer for Safe Signals
Correct answer: Controller of Site Safety
COSS stands for Controller of Site Safety, the individual responsible for managing the safety of a track work group.
Question 5: When a COSS delegates lookout duties, who retains overall responsibility for the safety of the work group?
- The lookout, as they are the last line of defence
- The COSS — delegation of duties does not transfer overall responsibility (Correct answer)
- The Safe Work Leader of the nearest sub-group
- The possession engineer, who oversees all delegated roles
Correct answer: The COSS — delegation of duties does not transfer overall responsibility
Delegating duties to a lookout or SWL does not relieve the COSS of overall responsibility for the group's safety.
Question 6: A COSS is required to keep a site diary. Which entry is LEAST essential to record?
- Times that protection was established and withdrawn
- Names of all workers briefed and their acknowledgment
- The brand of PPE worn by each worker (Correct answer)
- Any irregularities or safety concerns encountered during the work
Correct answer: The brand of PPE worn by each worker
PPE brand information is not a required diary entry; the diary must capture safety events, briefings, and protection timings.
Question 7: What is the COSS's obligation if they disagree with a PICOP instruction that they believe compromises safety?
- Follow the instruction immediately and raise concerns at the debrief
- Comply but document their objection in the site diary
- Refuse to implement the instruction and escalate to a higher authority (Correct answer)
- Request a second opinion from the nearest signaller
Correct answer: Refuse to implement the instruction and escalate to a higher authority
A COSS has the duty to refuse any instruction they believe is unsafe and must escalate the concern to a higher authority without delay.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety COSS Roles and Responsibilities 4
A COSS is about to start work but the planned protection method has become unavailable.
What is the correct course of action?