PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker falls and is injured but remains conscious on an active track. Bystanders observe a train approaching within minutes. What must bystanders do simultaneously?
- Wait for the train to pass before attempting a rescue
- Deploy emergency flagging in both directions while assisting the worker off the track (Correct answer)
- Only flag the direction the train is approaching from
- Call for help and remain with the worker on the track
Correct answer: Deploy emergency flagging in both directions while assisting the worker off the track
Flagging must be deployed in both directions while available workers assist moving the injured person off the track to prevent a fatal strike.
Question 2: When must a Roadway Worker in Charge (RWIC) notify the dispatcher that they are releasing track protection?
- Only after all workers and equipment are verified clear of the track and in a safe position (Correct answer)
- As soon as the majority of workers have cleared the track
- At the scheduled end of the work window regardless of worker position
- Only if additional trains are expected in the next 30 minutes
Correct answer: Only after all workers and equipment are verified clear of the track and in a safe position
Protection must not be released until every worker and piece of equipment is verified clear of the track and in a safe position.
Question 3: What does the term 'on-track equipment runaway' describe in a PTS emergency context?
- A worker sprinting along the track to escape an approaching train
- Uncontrolled movement of a rail vehicle or equipment without an operator in control (Correct answer)
- A rapid evacuation procedure for track gangs
- Equipment that exceeds the posted track speed limit
Correct answer: Uncontrolled movement of a rail vehicle or equipment without an operator in control
An on-track equipment runaway occurs when motorized track equipment moves without an operator in control, creating an immediate collision hazard.
Question 4: A worker feels sudden dizziness and nausea while working inside a tunnel. What is the most appropriate response?
- Rest in place, drink water, and continue working after a break
- Immediately exit the tunnel and notify the supervisor so the atmosphere can be tested (Correct answer)
- Eat a snack for low blood sugar and resume work
- Wait for the feeling to pass as it is likely motion sickness from train vibration
Correct answer: Immediately exit the tunnel and notify the supervisor so the atmosphere can be tested
Tunnels can accumulate toxic gases or have reduced oxygen; sudden symptoms require immediate evacuation and notification so the atmosphere can be tested.
Question 5: Under what condition may a work gang re-enter a track after being involved in a close call or near-miss event?
- Immediately after confirming no injury occurred
- Only after a job briefing review, identification of corrective actions, and supervisor authorization (Correct answer)
- After a mandatory 15-minute rest period
- As soon as each individual worker feels ready to resume work
Correct answer: Only after a job briefing review, identification of corrective actions, and supervisor authorization
A near-miss must trigger a job briefing review to identify what went wrong and implement corrective actions before work resumes.
Question 6: What is the correct procedure if a hi-rail vehicle has a derailment at an active grade crossing?
- Block vehicular traffic only and attempt to re-rail the equipment using jacks
- Immediately notify the dispatcher, protect the crossing from road and rail traffic, and request emergency assistance (Correct answer)
- Move the equipment to clear road traffic before contacting the railroad
- Set up orange cones and continue to monitor the situation
Correct answer: Immediately notify the dispatcher, protect the crossing from road and rail traffic, and request emergency assistance
A derailment at a grade crossing creates simultaneous hazards for road traffic and rail traffic; the dispatcher must be notified immediately to stop trains and emergency services called.
Question 7: Which signal does a flagman display to a train crew to indicate the train must stop immediately in an emergency?
- A slowly waved green flag
- A rapidly waved red flag or red light, or fusees spread across the rail (Correct answer)
- Two short horn blasts from a personal alarm
- A stationary yellow flag held at arm's length
Correct answer: A rapidly waved red flag or red light, or fusees spread across the rail
A rapidly waved red flag or light, or fusees placed across the rail, are recognized emergency stop signals that legally require a train to stop.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Emergency Procedures 5
A worker falls and is injured but remains conscious on an active track.
Bystanders observe a train approaching within minutes.
What must bystanders do simultaneously?