PTS PTS - Personal Track Safety Safe Systems of Work 2

Question 1

What is the role of an IWA (Individual Working Alone) in PTS safe systems of work?

Accepted Answer

A competent person authorised to protect themselves and up to three others while working on or near the line

Answer

A worker who performs solo maintenance tasks without any protection

Answer

The person responsible for obtaining a line blockage

Answer

A look-out who watches for trains while others work

Question 2

What must a COSS do before allowing work to begin on the line?

Accepted Answer

Carry out a site-specific risk assessment, brief all workers, and confirm protections are in place

Answer

Obtain verbal approval from the nearest train driver

Answer

Check that all workers have their PTS cards and sign them in

Answer

Obtain the emergency contact number for the nearest station

Question 3

What is a 'safe system of work' in the context of railway track work?

Accepted Answer

A formal, structured arrangement of controls that reduces the risk of being struck by a train to an acceptable level

Answer

Any method of working that the site supervisor considers acceptable

Answer

A written statement that workers have been trained in PTS

Answer

The sequence in which maintenance tasks should be completed

Question 4

What does 'safe working limits' mean in a COSS brief?

Accepted Answer

The defined area within which workers may work, bounded by the protection arrangements in place

Answer

The maximum number of hours workers can be on site

Answer

The speed at which workers may cross the line

Answer

The maximum load that track equipment may weigh

Question 5

When must workers immediately respond to the warning signal given by a look-out?

Accepted Answer

As soon as the warning is given, without waiting to confirm the reason

Answer

Only when they can also see the train approaching

Answer

After they have made their tools and equipment safe

Answer

When the look-out gives the signal twice

Question 6

What is the minimum warning time required for workers to reach a position of safety in lookout protected working?

Accepted Answer

A time based on the line speed, sufficient for all workers to reach their position of safety before the train arrives

Answer

10 seconds regardless of line speed

Answer

30 seconds at all times

Answer

Whatever time the COSS considers adequate