PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Safe Systems of Work 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When a Lookout gives a Warning of Approaching Train (WOAT), what must all workers do immediately?
- Continue working but move closer to the cess
- Stop work and move to a place of safety (Correct answer)
- Wait for a second warning before reacting
- Alert the site supervisor before moving
Correct answer: Stop work and move to a place of safety
On a WOAT signal, all workers must immediately stop all work and move to a designated place of safety.
Question 2: Which document formally authorises workers to enter and work within a Possession?
- Track Occupancy Permit (TOP)
- Possession Authority (PA) (Correct answer)
- Personal Track Safety certificate
- Form B1 briefing record
Correct answer: Possession Authority (PA)
The Possession Authority (PA) is the document that formally grants authority to occupy a section of track.
Question 3: A Lookout must NOT be given any other duties while acting as a Lookout because:
- Other duties are reserved for the Engineering Supervisor
- Split attention could cause a failure to detect or warn of approaching trains (Correct answer)
- It is against trade union agreements
- Lookouts must remain stationary at all times
Correct answer: Split attention could cause a failure to detect or warn of approaching trains
The Lookout role demands undivided attention so that no approaching train is missed.
Question 4: What is the minimum distance a place of safety must normally be from the nearest running rail?
- 1.5 m
- 2.0 m
- 2.5 m (Correct answer)
- 3.0 m
Correct answer: 2.5 m
A place of safety must be at least 2.5 m from the nearest running rail to provide adequate clearance.
Question 5: Under a Lookout-Warned safe system, how far in advance of the worksite must the Lookout be positioned?
- Far enough to give workers at least 10 seconds warning
- Far enough to give workers adequate time to reach a place of safety (Correct answer)
- At a fixed 200 m from the worksite
- At the nearest signal in rear of the worksite
Correct answer: Far enough to give workers adequate time to reach a place of safety
The Lookout must be positioned to give workers sufficient time — based on line speed — to reach their place of safety before a train arrives.
Question 6: What action must the Engineering Supervisor take before any work begins under a Safe System of Work?
- Submit a COSS nomination form to Network Rail
- Brief all workers on the specific hazards and safe system in place (Correct answer)
- Obtain verbal authority from the nearest signaller
- Confirm all workers hold a current medical certificate
Correct answer: Brief all workers on the specific hazards and safe system in place
The Engineering Supervisor must brief all workers on site hazards and the safe system before work commences.
Question 7: If a COSS becomes incapacitated during a safe system of work, what should happen?
- The most senior worker assumes COSS duties automatically
- Work must stop and the Engineering Supervisor must be informed immediately (Correct answer)
- Workers may continue provided a lookout remains in position
- A new COSS must be appointed by the nearest signal box
Correct answer: Work must stop and the Engineering Supervisor must be informed immediately
Loss of the COSS means the safe system is compromised; work must stop and the Engineering Supervisor notified immediately.
PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Safe Systems of Work 3
When a Lookout gives a Warning of Approaching Train (WOAT), what must all workers do immediately?