PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A worker notices their safety glasses have a deep scratch across the lens. What should they do?
- Polish the scratch with toothpaste and continue use
- Keep using them since scratches only affect aesthetics
- Replace the glasses immediately with an undamaged pair (Correct answer)
- Cover the scratch with clear tape before use
Correct answer: Replace the glasses immediately with an undamaged pair
Scratched lenses reduce optical clarity and may compromise impact resistance, requiring immediate replacement of the safety glasses.
Question 2: Which standard governs the impact resistance requirements for safety footwear used in railroad track work?
- ASTM F2413 (Correct answer)
- ANSI Z87.1
- NFPA 70E
- OSHA 1910.132
Correct answer: ASTM F2413
ASTM F2413 is the standard specification for performance requirements for foot protection, including impact and compression resistance ratings.
Question 3: A roadway machine operator must wear hi-vis clothing. Which additional PPE is typically required during machine operation?
- Full face shield only
- Hard hat, hearing protection, and safety glasses (Correct answer)
- Chemical splash goggles and rubber apron
- No additional PPE beyond hi-vis is required for operators
Correct answer: Hard hat, hearing protection, and safety glasses
Machine operators face hazards from noise, flying debris, and potential overhead contact, requiring hard hats, hearing protection, and eye protection in addition to hi-vis garments.
Question 4: What does the term 'PPE hierarchy' mean in the context of PTS?
- PPE is the first line of defense against all hazards
- PPE is the last line of defense after engineering and administrative controls (Correct answer)
- Supervisors select PPE; workers have no input
- PPE requirements are ranked by cost from cheapest to most expensive
Correct answer: PPE is the last line of defense after engineering and administrative controls
In the hierarchy of controls, PPE is the last resort after elimination, substitution, engineering, and administrative controls have been applied.
Question 5: A worker is grinding a rail weld. Which eye protection is required beyond standard safety glasses?
- Tinted safety glasses rated for laser use
- A face shield worn over safety glasses (Correct answer)
- Safety glasses alone are sufficient for grinding
- Welding goggles shade 12 or higher
Correct answer: A face shield worn over safety glasses
Grinding produces sparks and metal fragments that can fly around standard glasses; a face shield worn over safety glasses provides full face protection.
Question 6: Which of the following best describes the inspection workers should perform on hi-vis vests before each shift?
- Check that the vest color matches railroad color standards only
- Inspect for tears, missing retroreflective material, and faded fluorescent fabric (Correct answer)
- Verify the manufacturer's label is still attached
- No inspection is needed if the vest was used the previous shift without incident
Correct answer: Inspect for tears, missing retroreflective material, and faded fluorescent fabric
Before each shift, workers must inspect hi-vis vests for physical damage, degraded retroreflective tape, and faded fluorescent material that would reduce visibility.
Question 7: When working around ballast-cleaning machines that generate heavy dust, what respiratory protection is typically required?
- No respiratory protection is needed outdoors
- A NIOSH-approved N95 or higher respirator (Correct answer)
- A standard surgical mask rated for medical use
- Any cloth face covering that blocks visible dust
Correct answer: A NIOSH-approved N95 or higher respirator
Ballast dust can contain silica particles; a NIOSH-approved N95 or higher respirator is required to protect against respirable crystalline silica exposure.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) 4
A worker notices their safety glasses have a deep scratch across the lens.
What should they do?