PTS Sentinel Scheme and Fitness 5

Question 1

Under what circumstances can a Sentinel card be suspended by the scheme administrator?

Accepted Answer

If the cardholder fails a drug/alcohol test, loses required medical fitness, or has a serious competence-related incident

Answer

Sentinel cards can be suspended for drug/alcohol failures, loss of medical fitness, or serious safety incidents while an investigation is conducted.

Question 2

A worker's Sentinel card is approaching its expiry date. What must happen for them to continue working on or near the line?

Accepted Answer

They must complete the required renewal process — including any medical and competence updates — and receive a valid new card before the expiry date

Answer

Working with an expired Sentinel card is not permitted; renewal must be completed and a valid card issued before the expiry date to avoid a gap in authorisation.

Question 3

Which of the following scenarios would most likely trigger a post-incident drug and alcohol test under the Sentinel Scheme?

Accepted Answer

A near-miss event or collision involving a track worker on the operational railway

Answer

Post-incident testing is mandatory after safety-critical events such as near-misses or collisions to determine whether impairment was a contributing factor.

Question 4

A PTS worker moves to a new employer. Which statement about their Sentinel card is correct?

Accepted Answer

The Sentinel card belongs to the individual, not the employer, and remains valid — the employer link is updated in the system

Answer

Sentinel is a portable, individual-held scheme; the worker retains their valid card and competences when changing employers, with the employer association updated in the database.

Question 5

What is the significance of a 'fitness for work' self-declaration that some employers require before each shift?

Accepted Answer

It places a legal duty on the worker to confirm they are free from impairment and fit to work safely on that specific day

Answer

Daily self-declarations hold workers legally and professionally responsible for confirming they are fit on the day, complementing (not replacing) periodic medical assessments.

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS - Personal Track Safety Practice Test

PTS Sentinel Scheme and Fitness 5