Personal Track Safety Flashcards
General Hazards of the line when walking (7)
Trains
Slips, trips & falls
Debris
Weather
Tunnels
Vegetation
Electricity
Why does a conductor need PTS training
To complete door tests
To change train ends on tracks
To manage out of course situations
To carry out evacuations
To protect the lines
Who needs PTS training
Anyone that goes on the line
Anyone that goes within 3 metres of the line
What PPE do conductors need to go on the line
Northern Hi-viz vest, zipped up and clean
Non-slip safety shoes
Bump cap and googles (maintenance depot)
What must never be worn on the line
Hoods (obstructs vision & hearing)
Headphones (obstructs hearing)
Sunglasses (obstructs vision)
Anything red, yellow or green (may be misidentified as a signal)
Can mobiles be used on the line
Must be kept on silent
Only used in a position of safety or in an emergency
Track components (4)
Running rail
Sleeper
Fastening
Ballast
Double track layout
Cess
- 4 foot
- 6 foot
- 4 foot
- Cess
Multi track layout
Cess
4 foot
6 foot
4 foot
- 10 foot
4 foot
6 foot
4 foot
Cess
Area between running rails is called
4 foot
Area between a set of tracks is called
6 foot
Area between two sets of tracks is called
10 foot
Area on outside of tracks is called
Cess
Point that allows you to leave a line
Facing Point
Point that allows you to join a line
Trailing point
(Looks like 2 tracks to 1)
Definition of On or Near the line
On the line itself
Within 3 metres of the line with no fence/permanent structure
Within 1.25 metres of platform edge when carrying out engineering work
Definition of Lineside
Between the railway boundary and the area called On or Near the line
When are you not considered to be Lineside
On a platform
On a level crossing
Minimum positions of safety for 100mph and 125mph
1.25 metres for 100mph limit
2 metres for 125mph limit
What is a position of safety
The minimum safe distance from a line where trains are passing
Never assume a train will stop at a red signal because
May be a SPAD
May have permission to pass up to 50mph
Two types of fail-safe for signals
Track circuit
Axle counter
Why must any equipment be at least 2 metres away from the running line
Prevents it being blown on the tracks
Prevents it interfering with track circuit and axel counters
Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) facts:
25,000 volt alternating current
Minimum safe distance of 2.75m / 9ft (Cant Line)
Controlled by Electrical Control Officer (ECO)
To be always considered LIVE
Parts of Overhead Line Equipment (OLE)
- Catenary wire
- Dropper
- Contact wire
- Head Span wire
- Cross Span wire Neutral
- Cross Span wire Live
- Insulators
- Structure post
- Structure ID plate
- Along track conductor
- Bond
What information is on the OLE ID plate
XX - route/source
00 - miles from route/source
11 - Post number within that mile
What is a Cant Line
1inch Orange strip below the roof of every train
Must not go above the line due to risk from OLE
Conductor Rail facts:
650 - 750 Volts of Direct Current
Controlled be Electrical Control Officer (ECO)
Must always be considered LIVE
Do not touch
What must you not do with Conductor Rails
Step on or touch the line or protective guard
Allow clothing, tools etc to touch the line
Touch a broken conductor line or collector shoe
Step in water/fluid that may be in contact with the conductor rail
National Grid power lines
Minimum safe distance of 5 metres
Report issues to ECO/Signaller
How to spot a Conductor Rail
A rail that runs along the usual running rail but is raised up higher
How to place a TCOC (Track Circuit Operating Clips) near Conductor Rail
Place first clip on rail furthest away from the conductor rail
Limited Clearance sign appearance and meaning
Red and white checkerboard
There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure.
You must not enter or stand at that location when a train is approaching
No Refuges sign appearance and meaning
Blue and white checkerboard
There is no position of safety on this side of the railway for the length of the structure, however there are positions of safety (refuges) on the opposite side of the railway line
Prohibition sign meaning
you must not pass beyond this sign whilst trains are running unless you are carrying out emergency protection as you would not be able to reach a position of safety or refuge safely. If you are carrying out emergency protection, you must take extreme care
Signal Post Telephone: appearance and contents
Black and white striped sticker
Has inside:
- Phonetic alphabet
- Ordnance survey reference
- Controlling signaller details
Lineside Telephone: appearance and contents
White square with black X
Will have inside:
- Phonetic alphabet
- Ordnance Survey reference
- Controlling signaller details
How to identify a Limited Clearance Telephone (6 signs)
- White diamond with black X
- Yellow diamond with black X
- Black & white stripes with yellow circle on centre
- Black X with yellow circle in centre
- Black & white stripes with yellow warning triangle ⚠️
- Phone with red and white checkerboard sign
What must you know before walking on or near the line? (4)
- Line speed
- Normal direction of travel
- Areas of limited clearance
- Areas of prohibition
About Authorised Walking Routes
Provide safe access to and from a place of work
Found in National Rail Hazard Directory
Vary in appearance but could be signed or yellow
Walking Alone routes in order of safety
- Public paths & authorised walking routes
- Cess
- On 4 foot in direction of travel (ballast not sleeper)
Where must you never walk on the line
- In the 6 foot
- On running rails, sleepers, 3rd rail, cable covers etc
- Less than 10 meteres between trains
What must you do when a train approaches whilst walking OTL
Move to a position of safety immediately
Raise your hand to aknowledge you have seen them
How to cross the line safely
Use a bridge, subway, crossing or authorised walking route
If crossing a track, pick a position of safety
Ensure you have visibility in both directions
Cross straight across as quickly as possible
Keep looking both ways
Walk on ballast only, never sleepers, rails etc
Where not to cross a line
On Conductor rails (find a gap or protected cover to step over), never step between the 3rd rail and running rail.
Never cross on points as they may move
Never cross between trains with less than 10m space
How to walk on the line safely
Walk facing oncoming trains
Walk in the cess or 4 foot if cess not available
Only walk on ballast
Look up and check for trains every 3-5 seconds
Be aware of closest position of safety
Train horns whilst walking on the line meaning
1 blast: i see you/im travelling in usual direction
Multiple short blasts: Surprise! Im going in the wrong direction
Rules when coming across limited clearance signs when walking
Do not pass the sign if a train is approaching (red & white)
Cross the line and walk that side whilst checking for trains in both directions (blue & white)
Dont go beyond the sign unless trains have been stopped/carrying out emergency protection (prohibition)
If you get caught out whilst walking on the line
Lay face down in the Cess, 6 foot or 10 foot
Tuck in any loose clothing underneath you
Stay there until train has passed and check for other trains before moving to place of safety
Report a near miss to the signaller
Complete Form A
Point that allows you leave a line
Facing
(Looks like 1 track to 2)
Safety Critical Communication: what to say
- Identify yourself (name, role, company)
- Check who you are speaking to
- Give your location & reason for calling
- Clarify any assistance that may be needed
- Ensure message is repeated back
Accurate - Brief - Clear - Professional
What to avoid in calls
Line not clear
Over and out
Roger
Slang terms
Vague language
Jargon
Regional expressions
Ummms and errrrs in excess
Lead responsibility during calls
One person will take lead responsibility during calls to ensure accurate communication
Electrical Control Operator leads all
Signaller leads all except ECO
What is a GSM-R
Phone unit in each cab
Red emergency button sends audible and written alert to all trains in 15 mile radius to stop
9 Dangers to trains (Internal or of the train)
- Door open/not properly closed
- Insecure load
- Fire
- Hot axle box
- Headlights not lit
- Tail light unlit or missing
- Flashing headlights
- Long continuous blast of horn
- Driver or guard showing hand danger signal or red flag
8 reasons to stop a train in an emergency (External to train, Daft Loaf)
Damage to structures or earthworks
Animal: large and within boundary
Fire
Tract defect
Lights off on emergency indicator
Obstructions
Animal: small and on or near the line
Flood
How to make an Emergency call
- Say This is an emergency call
- Confirm you are speaking to correct person
- Identify yourself (name, role, company)
- Give location
- Explain situation and request what you need
- Confirm if you need emergency sevices
- Give your phone number
- Follow any instructions
Emergency signals on foot
Daytime:
- Raise both arms above your head
- Show red flag
Darkness/poor visibility
- Show a steady red light
- any other light waved vigorously
What are the steps in Emergency Protection
- Place Track Circuit Operating Clip (TCOC) on every obstructed line
- Show hand danger signals to any approaching train
- Protect the line with detonators
When would you carry out Emergency Protection as a conductor
- Driver is incapacitated
- The line is obstructed and you cannot contact the signaller or signaller cant provide signal protection
What must the conductor do in an emergency stop situation
- Check for obstructions (if unsure, treat all lines as obstructed)
- Decide on the quickest way to stop other trains (likely red button)
- TCOC on all affected lines
- Decide with driver who is carrying out emergency protection
How many TCOCs and detonators per train
TCOC
2 per cab, 4 per train
Detonators
10 per cab, 20 per train
Detonators are to be placed where and how
1.25 miles away from obstruction, 3 placed 20 meters apart
What to do when walking and see an approaching train (detonators)
- place 3 detonators 20 metres apart
- Stand 30 metres away
-Danger hand signal (hands up, red flag or lights)
What to do when walking and reach a tunnel (detonators)
- 3 detonators 20 metres apart at entrance to tunnel
- if 1.25 miles falls within the tunnel, keep going and place 3 detonators, 20m apart at the other end of the tunnel
What to do when walking and reach a signal phone (detonators)
- place 3 detonators 20m apart; the last being 30 metres away from where you will be standing on the phone
What to do when walking and reach a junction (detonator)
- lay 3 detonators 20 metres apart before the junction
- using route knowledge, decide which line to protect first with 3 detonators, 20m apart
- go back and protect the other line with 3 detonators, 20m apart
Where must detonators be placed if you reach them before 1.25miles? (Four teas and a sugar)
Train approaching
Tunnels
Telephone
Trailing points/junctions
Signal box
Emergency Switch Off (electrics) call procedure
- Emergency call to ECO/signaller
- Give location (structure ID plate or milepost for conductor rail)
- Ask for Emergency Switch Off
- ECO/signaller will confirm when done
- Stay back due to residual voltage
you become the Person in Charge of Electrical Emergency PICEE
Person in Charge of Electrical Emergency (PICEE) role
You will be told the limits of the switch off
You must identify yourself to anyone arriving onsite
Wait for Rail Incident Officer (RIO) to arrive and take over after providing handover
Why would you request an Emergency Switch Off
- Person is or in danger of coming in contact with OLE
- Theres an incident requiring or likely to require electrics to be switched off
To leave the train you must
Have permission to leave the train or be in an emergency
Maintain 3 points of contact with the ladder when leaving
You must know the following to leave the train
- Which lines are open to traffic
- Where any areas of limited access/prohibitions are
- If the train is protecting you
Groups of more than 2 on the line need a
COSS (Controller of Site Safety)
Can be identified by their blue and white armband and bossing people around
When on the line in a group you must
Remain 20 metres apart from others
Never distract a lookout
