PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A hazardous material spill occurs near the work site from a derailed car. What is the worker's immediate action?
- Attempt to identify the substance using the placard before evacuating
- Evacuate upwind and uphill, then notify the dispatcher and emergency services (Correct answer)
- Use available water to dilute the spill
- Seal the leak with available materials to contain the hazard
Correct answer: Evacuate upwind and uphill, then notify the dispatcher and emergency services
Workers must evacuate to an upwind, uphill position and immediately notify the dispatcher and emergency responders — never attempt to handle hazmat without proper training and equipment.
Question 2: Which action is required when a worker is injured and must be transported off the right-of-way by emergency vehicle?
- Any available vehicle may be used to transport the victim immediately
- Track protection must be established before any vehicle enters the right-of-way (Correct answer)
- The victim should walk to the nearest road crossing if able
- Wait for railroad-approved ambulance before moving the victim
Correct answer: Track protection must be established before any vehicle enters the right-of-way
Any emergency vehicle entering the right-of-way must have proper track protection established to prevent a collision.
Question 3: What information must a worker relay to the dispatcher when reporting a track emergency?
- Only their name and the location of the emergency
- Their name, subdivision, milepost or landmark, nature of the emergency, and number of persons involved (Correct answer)
- The nature of the emergency and an estimated repair time
- Their radio ID number and the nearest station name
Correct answer: Their name, subdivision, milepost or landmark, nature of the emergency, and number of persons involved
A complete emergency report includes identity, precise location, nature of the problem, and how many people are affected so the dispatcher can coordinate the correct response.
Question 4: Under FRA regulations, what must be done to a third rail before track workers can safely work in its vicinity?
- Approach within 6 inches wearing rubber gloves rated for the voltage
- Maintain a 1-foot standoff distance and use insulated tools
- The rail must be de-energized and grounded by qualified electrical workers (Correct answer)
- Post a lookout facing the rail and work quickly
Correct answer: The rail must be de-energized and grounded by qualified electrical workers
Workers must not approach an energized third rail; it must be de-energized and grounded by qualified electrical workers before track workers can safely work nearby.
Question 5: During an on-track emergency, a worker's radio fails and they cannot contact the dispatcher. What is the next appropriate step?
- Continue work and report the radio failure at the end of the shift
- Use a personal cell phone and then stop work if neither method reaches the dispatcher (Correct answer)
- Leave the work site immediately to find a working phone
- Have a coworker travel to the nearest station to report
Correct answer: Use a personal cell phone and then stop work if neither method reaches the dispatcher
Workers should use any alternative communication method available; if the dispatcher cannot be reached, work must stop because the protection authority cannot be maintained.
Question 6: What is the purpose of 'foul time' in railroad emergency procedures?
- A scheduled break period during which workers must clear the track
- A specific time window during which a worker has dispatcher-authorized access to the track between trains (Correct answer)
- The time delay required before flagging can be removed after an emergency
- The maximum shift length allowed during emergency operations
Correct answer: A specific time window during which a worker has dispatcher-authorized access to the track between trains
Foul time is an agreed-upon period with the dispatcher during which no train will enter a specific block, allowing workers to safely be on the track.
Question 7: If a worker observes smoke or flames coming from a passing train, what is the correct immediate action?
- Chase the train on foot to get a better look at the problem
- Note the train number and report it to the dispatcher immediately (Correct answer)
- Use flares to signal the train crew to stop
- Wait to see if the crew is already aware before reporting
Correct answer: Note the train number and report it to the dispatcher immediately
Any sign of fire on a moving train must be reported to the dispatcher immediately so the train crew can be notified and the train stopped safely.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures 4
A hazardous material spill occurs near the work site from a derailed car.
What is the worker's immediate action?