PTS Safe Access and Egress 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does 'possession' mean in the context of PTS track access?
- Ownership of trackside equipment
- A formal authority granted to block a line for safe working (Correct answer)
- The act of carrying tools onto the track
- The track foreman's personal responsibility
Correct answer: A formal authority granted to block a line for safe working
A possession is a formal authority granted by the infrastructure controller that blocks a section of line so work can proceed safely.
Question 2: If a train appears unexpectedly while workers are on the track, the FIRST action should be:
- Alert the COSS by radio
- Immediately move to the nearest place of safety (Correct answer)
- Secure all tools so they are not struck
- Stop the train by waving a red flag
Correct answer: Immediately move to the nearest place of safety
Personal safety is paramount — workers must move immediately to the nearest place of safety before any other action.
Question 3: A 'look-both-ways' rule applies when crossing a track because:
- Trains only travel in one direction on most lines
- Some lines carry bi-directional traffic and trains can approach from either side (Correct answer)
- It is a courtesy rule for pedestrian safety
- One direction always has slower trains
Correct answer: Some lines carry bi-directional traffic and trains can approach from either side
Many lines carry trains in both directions, so workers must check both directions every time before and during a crossing.
Question 4: Which of the following describes a correct 'handback' after track work is complete?
- Workers leave the site and the COSS assumes it is clear
- The COSS confirms all workers and equipment are clear before formally returning the line to the controller (Correct answer)
- The last worker to leave locks the access gate
- The train driver inspects the track before the first movement
Correct answer: The COSS confirms all workers and equipment are clear before formally returning the line to the controller
Handback requires the COSS to positively confirm that all workers and equipment are clear before formally returning the line to operational control.
Question 5: What is the role of a 'PICOP' (Person in Charge of Possession) during track access?
- To operate the signaling equipment
- To hold authority for the possession and manage its limits and duration (Correct answer)
- To transport workers to the worksite
- To inspect trains before they enter the possessed section
Correct answer: To hold authority for the possession and manage its limits and duration
The PICOP holds the formal authority for the possession, manages its boundaries, and ensures no unauthorized train movement enters the section.
Question 6: When should workers be given a site safety briefing for track access?
- At the end of the workday as a debrief
- Before any work begins and before entering the track area (Correct answer)
- Only when new workers join the shift
- Once per week regardless of daily activity
Correct answer: Before any work begins and before entering the track area
A site safety briefing must occur before any work begins each day and before workers enter the track area to ensure everyone understands current hazards.
Question 7: A worker notices another worker has stepped outside the agreed safe system of work boundary. The correct response is to:
- Ignore it if the worker looks experienced
- Immediately inform the COSS and ask the worker to return within the safe boundary (Correct answer)
- Shout a general warning and continue working
- Document it in a notebook for the end-of-day report
Correct answer: Immediately inform the COSS and ask the worker to return within the safe boundary
Any breach of the safe system of work must be reported to the COSS immediately and corrected before work continues.
PTS Safe Access and Egress 5
What does 'possession' mean in the context of PTS track access?