PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Positions of Safety 3

Question 1

When a train is approaching and you are in a position of safety, what must you do regarding your tools and equipment?

Accepted Answer

Ensure all tools are secured and not protruding into the train's clearance envelope

Answer

Tools and equipment must not protrude into the train's clearance envelope, as they can cause derailments or equipment damage even when a worker is safely positioned.

Question 2

A worker is told to take a position of safety but the nearest designated safe location is 200 feet away and a train is 30 seconds out. What is the correct action?

Accepted Answer

Take the nearest available position of safety immediately

Answer

When time is critically short, workers must take the nearest available position of safety rather than risk being caught in the open attempting to reach a more distant designated location.

Question 3

Which factor is NOT considered when determining an adequate position of safety?

Accepted Answer

The worker's shift schedule and time remaining

Answer

A worker's shift schedule is irrelevant to determining a position of safety; speed, track geometry, and equipment dimensions are all safety-critical factors.

Question 4

On a curved section of track, why must workers take extra care when establishing a position of safety?

Accepted Answer

The overhang of rail cars extends further on curves due to the geometry of rotation

Answer

On curved track, the ends and sides of rail cars swing outward (end overhang and mid-overhang), requiring a greater clearance distance than on tangent track.

Question 5

After a train passes, when is it safe for workers to return to the track from their position of safety?

Accepted Answer

Only after the entire train has cleared and they receive an all-clear from the lookout

Answer

Workers must wait for the lookout's all-clear signal after the entire train clears, as there may be additional trains or equipment following on adjacent tracks.

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Positions of Safety 3