General Emergency Situations

Question 1

What are some examples of hazards/obstructions on the line?

Answer 1

A track defect, flood, an obstruction, a fire, any light which is out at an emergency indicator, a large animal within the boundary fence, any other animal on or near the line

Question 2

If you became aware of a hazard or danger to the line what should you do?

Answer 2

Immediately contact the signaller

Question 3

How can you stop a train in an emergency? (day light)

Answer 3

You must show a red flag, raise both arms above your head, and if riding in a vehicle raise one arm held out horizontally

Question 4

How can you stop a train in an emergency? (poor visibility or darkness)

Answer 4

You must show a red light to the driver or wave any light violently

Question 5

What are some examples of dangers to moving trains?

Answer 5

A door not closed properly, an insecure load, a vehicle on fire, a hot axle box, the headlight not lit, a tail lamp missing or not lit

Question 6

How might you be warned of a danger to trains?

Answer 6

A driver sounding the train in distress warning, a driver or guard displaying a red hand signal, the hazard warning indicator

Question 7

what should you do in a rail dangerous goods emergency? (part 1)

Answer 7

You must tell the signaller, operations control, or the local manager
‘This is a rail dangerous goods emergency’
and give the united nations number

Question 8

What should you do in a rail dangerous goods emergency? (part 2)

Answer 8

keep Well clear, keep the wind behind you as you face away from any affected vehicles, avoid low lying places where gas may gather, keep unauthorised people well clear, try to put out any fire without putting yourself or anyone else at risk, keep naked lights and lamps well clear, not smoke, use matches or pocket lighters, not to use a mobile phone

Question 9

Accident investigators will ask you to preserve evidence what might this include?

Answer 9

Driving controls, signalling equipment, rolling stock, lineside equipment

Question 10

what are some examples of train accidents?

Answer 10

A derailment, a collision involving trains, a collision with an obstruction, a collision with a road vehicle, a collision with a person, a fire on a train that might put other trains passing in danger, a fire on a train that might mean that passengers are evacuated onto running lives, an accidental train division which has caused another like to be obstructed

Question 11

What are the guards’ actions during a train accident?

Answer 11

check if any other lines are obstructed (if in doubt, treat them as obstructed) and decide the quickest way to stop any approaching trains, place a track circuit operating clip on any lines that are obstructed
You must then contact the driver. You must agree with the driver whether you need to:
help with carrying out emergency protection or stay with the train

Question 12

If you cannot contact the driver or if you find the driver is unavaliable, what must you do?

Answer 12

carry out the drivers instructions shown for drivers in this module

Question 13

What are the drivers’ actions in a train accident?

Answer 13

The driver must check:
If any other lines are obstructed (if in doubt, treat them as obstructed) and decide the quickest way to stop any approaching trains
The exact location of your train
You must tell the signaller about the accident in the quickest way possible and whether the electric traction current needs to be switched off
when the signaller tells you the signal protection has been provided, you must place track-circuit operating clips on:
every other line that is obstructed
the line on which your train is standing if the whole train has been derailed
you must carry out emergency protection if:
the signaller cannot provide signal protection
you have not been able to contact the signaller

Question 14

What must you do if the driver needs help carrying out emergency protection?

Answer 14

you must provide the help personally or arrange for any other competent person to help, if you provide it yourself you must reach a clear understanding with the driver as to which lines you will protect

Question 15

Name 3 unsuitable stopping locations

Answer 15

Tunnels, viaducts, cuttings

Question 16

In an accidental train division what are the actions you would take if the portion can be recoupled?

Answer 16

Move passengers into front set, guard rides in the rear

Question 17

In an accidental train division what would your actions be if the train could not be re coupled?

Answer 17

secure portion, hazards lights, parking break, reported to signaller and clear portion so no one is left behind

Question 18

in an accidental train division what actions would the driver take?

Answer 18

You must make sure both portions of the train are secure and all the vehicles are accounted for you must tell the guard (if provided) about the situation you must then check the couplings where the train has divided to see if:
They might have damaged the track or lineside equipment (if so tell the signaller)
There is any damage to them which is preventing the recoupling of the portions

Question 19

In an accidental train division what are the guards actions?

Answer 19

If you are travelling in the rear portion you must secure it if possible
You must find out from the driver what action is to be taken with the train

Question 20

In the event of a fire what actions would you take?

Answer 20

Turn at the A/C on a 255
Stop the train
You must try and put out any fire on the train if not possible to put out the fire within a few seconds you must make sure that the trail is stopped immediately
where possible you must not stop the train in a tunnel on a viaduct or at any other unsuitable location

Question 21

What must you do immediately after stopping the train?

Answer 21

tell the driver the reason
if it is necessary tell the driver to arrange for the emergency services to attend

Question 22

In the event of a fire what actions should you take? (simplified)

Answer 22

switch off A/C
contact driver/PCA/DAU
REC/ protect the train
Evacuation

Question 23

What could cause a train collision?

Answer 23

other trains, obstructions, road vehicles, a person

Question 24

Name 3 rail defects

Answer 24

Broken rail, distorted rail, broken fishplate

Question 25

in the event of flooding what would you do?

Answer 25

Generally, if above railhead no running
if at railhead height 5mph
If below railhead normal running

Question 26

In the event of snow, what would you do?

Answer 26

It is normal running until snow is 200 mm (8 inches) above the railhead
If snow is distirubed by passing trains speed restrictions maybe applied running break tests carried out more frequently

Question 27

What would you do if you saw damage to structures or earthworks above or below the line?

Answer 27

Tell the signaller immediately

Question 28

What would you do if you saw any flooding or pooling water that might affect structures or earthworks?

Answer 28

tell the signaller immediately

Question 29

What are the rules on reporting flooding?

Answer 29

current rules-‘any flood water that might affect the passage of trains’
New rules-‘you must also report flooding or pooling water that might not be affecting trains at the moment but could be affecting structures or earthworkes’

Question 30

what should you do in the event of rough riding?

Answer 30

Never assume! Do the right thing! Don’t ignore it! Report it!

Question 31

What do you do in the event of a person being Struck by a train?

Answer 31

Do not move the body, are you fit to continue, only do what you are comfortable doing, it states that you must call the emergency services

Question 32

in an accident who is in charge?

Answer 32

RIO is in charge until the fire and rescue incident commander arrives from the fire brigade and takes over the operational charge