PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'COSS' stand for in UK Personal Track Safety?
- Controller of Site Safety (Correct answer)
- Coordinator of Safe Signals
- Chief Officer of Site Supervision
- Controller of Stated Separation
Correct answer: Controller of Site Safety
COSS stands for Controller of Site Safety, the person responsible for the safety of a work group on or near the track.
Question 2: A 'possession' in railway terms means:
- Authority granted to a signaller to hold a train at a red signal
- An arrangement where a section of track is taken out of use for maintenance (Correct answer)
- A written record of all personnel on site
- A type of safety briefing given before track access
Correct answer: An arrangement where a section of track is taken out of use for maintenance
A possession is a formal arrangement by which a length of track is blocked to train movements so that maintenance or engineering work can be carried out safely.
Question 3: What hazard is most associated with working inside the 'four foot' (the space between the running rails)?
- Overhead line arc flash from proximity to OLE
- Being struck by a passing train on an adjacent track (Correct answer)
- Ground electrical return current from traction rails
- Entrapment in ballast voids underfoot
Correct answer: Being struck by a passing train on an adjacent track
When working in the four foot, the greatest danger is from trains on an adjacent line passing very close, creating a dangerous slipstream and strike risk.
Question 4: What is the purpose of a 'look-out' in a track safety system?
- To record the identity of all workers entering the track area
- To watch for approaching trains and warn the work group in time to reach a place of safety (Correct answer)
- To liaise with the signaller and update possession boundaries
- To check that all workers hold valid PTS cards before access
Correct answer: To watch for approaching trains and warn the work group in time to reach a place of safety
A look-out is posted to observe the line for approaching trains and give an agreed warning to the work group with sufficient time to reach safety.
Question 5: Which of the following is a 'third rail' electrical hazard specific to DC electrified railways?
- The conductor rail can deliver a fatal shock even when trains are not running (Correct answer)
- The third rail becomes live only when a train is within 500 metres
- Workers may touch the conductor rail safely when wearing standard PTS PPE
- The third rail is de-energised automatically when a possession is granted
Correct answer: The conductor rail can deliver a fatal shock even when trains are not running
The conductor (third) rail remains energised at all times unless specifically isolated; it can deliver a lethal shock independent of train movements.
Question 6: What does the term 'adjacent line open' (ALO) mean for a track worker?
- Both tracks have been included in the same possession
- Train movements are still occurring on a line next to where work is taking place (Correct answer)
- The adjacent line has been cleared of all obstructions
- A relief track is available for emergency evacuation of workers
Correct answer: Train movements are still occurring on a line next to where work is taking place
Adjacent line open means that while work proceeds on one track, trains continue to operate on a neighbouring line, requiring heightened awareness from all workers.
Question 7: When a train passes at speed, what physical hazard is created for workers standing nearby?
- Static electrical discharge from the train body
- A pressure wave and slipstream that can knock workers off balance (Correct answer)
- Noise levels that permanently damage hearing in a single pass
- Extreme heat radiation from the locomotive engine
Correct answer: A pressure wave and slipstream that can knock workers off balance
A fast-moving train creates a significant pressure wave and slipstream effect that can destabilise workers, particularly those standing close to the train path.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Railway Hazards and Terminology 4
What does 'COSS' stand for in UK Personal Track Safety?