PTS 101 Flashcards
What is single line working?
When a line has been blocked for any reason and the trains have been authorised to travel along another open line in either direction.
What are points and crossovers used for?
Used by trains to go from one line to another.`
Generally, what are points operated from?
They are operated from a signal box and have an identifying number displayed on them.
What are sidings, depots and yards used for?
They are used to store trains and other railway vehicles.
Mileposts are positioned alongside the railway, how far apart are they usually and what are they there for.
They are usually ever quarter of a mile, ad they are used to help identify the location.
What is the running rail?
Two rails that a trains wheels run on.
What are sleepers?
They support the rails and keep them the correct distance apart.
What are fastenings?
They hold the running rails to the sleepers.
What is ballast?
Keeps the track in place.
What is the CESS?
The area alongside the railway.
What is the four-foot?
The space between the running rails of one line.
What is the six-foot?
The space between a pair of lines if they’re a normal distance apart.
What is the ten-foot (wideway)?
If there are 3 or more lines, a wider space is provided between the lines. This space is known as the ten-foot or wideway.
Define the area known as ‘on or near the line’
- you are on a line
- you are within 3 metres (10 feet) of a line and there is no permanent fence or structure between you and the line
- you are doing engineering or technical work on a station platform within 1.25 metres (4 feet) of its edge.
Sidenote: you are not on or near the line if you are crossing the line at a level crossing.
When are you lineside?
- you are within the railway boundary but not on or near the line
- you can be seen by the driver of an approaching train.
sidenote: You are not on the lineside if you are on a station platform.
What is the ‘position of safety’?
A position of safety is a place where it is safe to stand when a train is passing.
When are you in the ‘position of safety’?
- If you are 2 metres away from the nearest line when a train is going above 100mph
- If you are 1.25 metres for a train going below 100mph
What is an authorised walking route?
- this provides safe access to and from a place of work.
- they are found near depots, stations and signal boxes.
- they vary in construction, some are proper walkways and some are just rough paths.
When is a red semaphore signal at danger?
When it’s in the horizontal position.
What will trains do at a danger (red) signal?
Normally, they will stop but, in some situations, they can be authorised to pass them. Which will be authorised by the signaller in some instances of a possession, failed track circuit etc.
What signals cant always be put to danger by the signaller?
Automatic and semi-automatic signals
What does SPRS stand for and what is it used for?
Signal Post Replacement Switch, it is a switch on the signal post (for an automatic signal) which can be changed to danger using a special key.
What are distant singals?
Yellow semaphore signals
What does OLE stand for?
Overhead Line Equipment
How many volts run through the OLE?
25,000 Volts AC,
Or, where trams and metro trains are used, 750dc
What qualification do you need on your sentinel card to go on or near a line with OLE?
PTS AC
With the OLE, what should you always assume?
That it is live and extremely dangerous
How far away should you, and anything you’re carrying , etc tools, be away from the OLE?
2.75 Metres/9 Fett
When can you work within 2.75m of live OLE?
If a special Safe System of Work and isolation has been approved beforehand
OLE structures have a black cable connecting it to the running rail, what is this known as?
A bond
There are also red and yellow bonds
Are red bonds dangerous?
If disconnected, yes. never touch them as there could be a dangerous voltage. (Up to 25,000 volts)
What do you do if you find a bond that is disconnected, broken or defective?
Immediately report to the Electrical Control Operator (ECO) and include the colour and location of the bond. There will be a number stated near the bond.
What does the Direct Current Conducter Rail (third rail) do
Provides the train with up to 750 volts D.C
What is the fourth rail?
Another conductor rail that will be in the four foot- used on lines used by London Underground.
When can you go on or near a line with conductor rails?
If your sentinel card includes the qualification “PTS DC)
What should you always assume with conductor rails?
That they are live and extremely dangerous.
Work can only take place within ________ of a live Direct Current Conducter Rail if the approved insulated tools, shrouds or toughing, and PPE are used
30CM (1 FOOT)
Why should you keep clear of floodwater?
Liquids will become live if they come into contact with a conductor rail.
What do track circuits and axle counters do for the signaller?
Lets the signaller know where trains are in the area they control train movements on.
Why must you never place objects across the rails?
It may trigger the singalling equipment and change a signal aspect in front of a driver.
Why must you not allow any metal object near signaling equipment or within 300mm of an axle counter head
It may interfere with its operation.
What is a refuge?
s a place where it is safe for you to stand when a train is passing. They can be built out over an embankment or cut into the wall of a viaduct, cutting or tunnel.
When working in a tunnel while trains are running, what should you make sure you know?
where the nearest position
of safety is – usually in a refuge.
Why should you make sure access gates are closed and locked?
In the case of trespassers.
What are Semaphore signals?
Old style, manually operated signals. They usually have a red light, green light, and a red arm.
A horizontal position means stop and the red light will also be on
When will a semaphore signal mean a train can pass?
The arm may be either raised or lowered by 45 degrees (known as upper or lower quadrant)
In both cases, the green light will also show
When are positon light signals used?
In slidings to control movements of trains in and out of slidings
When a train approaches what should you do?
-stop what you are doing and go to the position of safety straight away
-acknowledge the driver’s warning by raising one arm
above your head
-watch the train go past.
Do not leave the position of
safety unless you are sure no
other trains are approaching. The coss will tell you when it is safe to.
If you need to cross the line, what do you do before you cross?
-make sure there’s sufficient sighting distance and no trains
are approaching
-go straight across without stepping on rails or sleepers
-take care near points - your foot could get trapped
-check there is a position of safety on the opposite site.
On lines with conductor rails:
- find a gap or a place where protective guarding is provided
- step over the running rail and conductor rail together.
What does a group need when working or walking on or near the line?
COSS
What are the colours on the COSS badge?
They wear a blue badge or armlet with
‘COSS’ in white letters.
What does the COSS set up?
Safe System Of Work
What will the COSS tell you in the briefing?
- the nature and location of the work
- the access route and route to site
- the limits of the site and how they are defined
- the lines at the site, their speed limit, direction and whether they are open or blocked
- the best means of emergency communication
- hazards at the site such as electrification equipment
- how you are protected from trains
What is the Safe System Of Work used for?
To protect you from trains
In the SSOW, what does safegaurded mean?
All lines are blocked
In the SSOW, what does fenced mean?
a fence is put up between the site of work and nearest open line. The distance between the fence and the open line depends on the type of fence and speed of trains.
Speed of trains (0-40mph)
- Rigid barrier at least 1.25 metres
- Netting/tape at least 1.25 metres
Speed of trains(41-125 mph)
- Rigid barrier at least 1.25 metres
- Netting/tape at least 2 metres
In the SSOW, what does Seperated site of work mean?
A Separated Site of Work is safe if it is a minimum of 2m (6fti6in) from the line. If there are more than two people in the group, a Site Warden must be appointed to give a warning of any danger.
If you are working on a Separated Site of Work and hear the Site Warden’s warning (either a verbal shout of ‘Get back!’ or a series of short blasts on a whistle or horn), you must stop work and make sure you are still within the safety limits of the work area.
Space is provided between the site of work and the nearest open line. The boundary of the work area
depends on the size of the group and whether a Site Warden is appointed.
The boundary of the work area:
- At least 2 metres with 1 or 2 people, a site warden is not needed.
- At least 2 metres with more than 2 people, a site warden is needed.
- At least 3 metres with any size group, a site warden is not needed.
What badge or armlet does a Site Warden wear?
They wear a white badge or armlet
with ‘SITE WARDEN’ in blue letters.
What should you never do to a site warden or a lookout?
Distract them
On an open line, you will be warned when a train is _______. You will be given enough warning to reach the _____ __ _____ at least __ seconds before the train arrives/
approaching, position of safety, 10
What does ATWS stand for and what is it ?
Automatic Track Warning System. It is a warning of an approaching train and uses lights and sirens and/or a personal warning device. This is already based on track .
What does TOWS stand for and what ?
Train Operated Warning System. It is a warning of an approaching train using sirens.
What does LOWS stand for and what is it?
Lookout Operated Warning System. It is a warning of an approaching train using lights and sirens and/or a personal warning device. This will be bought out on track.
What would a lookout use for an approaching train?
A horn, whistle or touch
What badge does a lookout wear?
A Lookout wears a white badge or armlet
with ‘LOOKOUT’ in red letters.
What is the ‘beyond’. What do you say when you are in this area?
The far side of the signal when looking in the normal direction of traffic.
‘I am beyond’
Where is ‘on the approach’. What do you say when you are in this area?
the near side of a signal or points when looking in the normal direction of traffic.
‘I am on the approach’
Why must you not place objects e.g. measuring tapes or chains across the rails
It might operate the signalling equipment and change a signal aspect in front of a driver.
Why must you not allow any metal object near signalling equipment or within 300mm (12 inches) of an axle counter head.
As this could accidentally interfere with its operation.
What must you ensure before using a road vehicle on or near the line?
- You are the driver of the vehicle and are either a COSS or IWA, or
- COSS must be present and has given permission for the vehicle to be on or near the line
What must you do when using a road vehicle on or near the line?
- Not allow any part of the vehicle to come within 2m (6ft 6in) of any line
- Switch on hazard warning lights
- In darkness or poor visibility use dipped headlights
- Turn the vehicle only at a suitable turning point and keep the back of the vehicle furthest from the line
- Switch off all red lights when the vehicle is parked
If you see something which could be a danger to trains (or the COSS requests you to) what do you do:
• contact the signaller (or, if relevant, the electrical control operator) straight away
• connect a Track Circuit Operating Clip between the two running rails (except in fourth rail areas) This turns the signal red
• walk towards oncoming trains for 2km (11 / 4 miles) and place three detonators on the rail 20 metres (20 yards) apart
• move at least 30 metres (30 yards) from the detonators
• display a hand danger signal to approaching trains from a position of safety.
-In darkness or poor visibility, shine a red light or
wave any light vigorously
What steps do you take when making an emergency call?
- Keep all messages accurate, brief and clear. If you are making an emergency call:
- start by saying “This is an emergency call”
- confirm you are speaking to the right person, e.g. the signaller
- tell the other person your name, employer, job title, location and contact number
- explain what has happened, the location and what action needs to be taken
- check that the other person has understood your message and ask them to repeat it back to you
- wait for further instructions.
Whenever you commmunicate by phone or radio, what should you make sure?
Use the phonetic alphabet for difficult words or names and say numbers on digit at a time.
How do you make sure your message is understood?
- With the mouthpiece close to your mouth (but not too close)
- Directly into the mouthpiece
- Slightly slower than normal, with a natural rhythm
- At the same volume as you would in normal conversation. You must always:
- Use clear sentences
- Use normal railway words and phrases found in the rules, regulations and instructions
- Use the phonetic alphabet – to check your message is understood correctly
- Try to avoid hesitation sounds (for example, ‘um’ or ‘er’) and slurring one word into another
- If the other person responds or speaks in an accent or dialect which is unfamiliar, take time to make sure your message is understood and that you understand his or her message.
What phrases do you use when using a radio or telephone?
‘This is an emergency call.’ This message conveys information which requires immediate action to prevent death, serious injury or damage.
‘Repeat back.’ Repeat all of the message back to me
‘Correction.’ I have made a mistake and will now correct the word or phrase just said
What phrases to use when using a radio and only one person can be heard at a time.
‘Over.’ I have finished my message and am expecting a
reply
‘Out.’ I have finished my message and I do not expect
a reply
Do not use phrases such as ‘not clear’ or ‘not safe’ to describe a line that is unsafe.
Always use the phrase ‘line blocked’ to describe a line which is blocked to trains.
Why do you need to be a certain distance apart from a moving train?
The slipstream can pull you into the tracks, leading to a fatal injury
What is a close call?
NWR defines a close call as anything that has the potential to cause harm or damage
What is included in a ‘close call’?
The potential to:
• Harm a person - this includes minor and major injuries, and fatalities
• Harm the environment and/or protected species
• Damage railway infrastructure, plant, vehicles, tools, equipment, systems
and information
What should you do if you see a close call?
You should first see if you can deal with the issue yourself.
If not, then raise it with the COSS.
If they don’t resolve it, then you need to report it using Close Call.
When reporting a close call what should you do?
Only use your phone from a position of safety once the COSS
has given their permission for you to do so.
Take a photo and submit a Close Call if the safety concern won’t cause any risks
or hazards that day but may potentially in the future.
If this is the case, you can raise your concern via Close Call,
but be sure to let the COSS know before doing so.
When you see a close call, when do you raise it?
ASAP
Name 4 safety reporting channels
Close Call - report safety concerns early
• Speak Out - report issues of a personal or reputation nature
• Take 5 - perform a quick safety check to assess a concern
• CIRAS - report concerns confidentially
How far away should you be from a live Direct Current Conductor Rail?
You must aways be at least 30cm/1 foot away along with tools and equipment
When an on-track plant or machine is on the track what has to be put in place?
An exclusion zone that must not be entered unless authorised by a Machine Controller(MC) or Crane Controller (CC). This is because the operators have blind spots.
Where and when do safety briefings
take place?
Safety briefings take place in a position of safety, before accessing the line.
What will a coss check for in the briefing
Check your ppe and sentinel card
What is a blocked line?
A blocked line means that there is no train expected on that line
What is a MEWP
Mobile Elevated Working Platform
Who do you report any task-related safety issues to?
Person In Charge (PIC)
What is a runaway?
This is where a vehicle or piece of equipment accidentally becomes detached, then runs away until it loses its momentum or hits something. Some examples of rail plant that could potentially runaway: • OTP • OTMs • Hand trolleys • Trailers • Wagons
Name some more potential dangers of the railway.
Underfoot conditions are less dangerous but most likely to cause slips, trips and falls.
Uneven ground within the cess, raised tracks, cabling and equipment are some of the more common
hazards to watch out for when you’re on or near the line.
Manual handling incidents can also be dangerous, and just as likely to happen.
When lifting and moving equipment, always use the correct methods and tools. And always use support
if you need it.
What are the possible risks of an MEWP
- Standing on the frame rather than the platform
- Not being appropriately harnessed to the platform
- Working at an unsafe height
- Working with a hooded top on
You’re attending a safety briefing from the Controller of Site Safety (COSS) and part way through hear some words and phrases you don’t understand. What would be the best thing to do here?
Checking as soon as possible would be the best option. However, that isn’t always possible, so the next best approach would be to wait until the end of briefing when the COSS checks for questions.
Never ignore something you don’t understand, but asking a colleague at the wrong time could lead you both to miss something important. And, of course, they may give you the wrong explanation!
During a briefing, you think that the COSS has given the wrong information about the location you’re currently at, based on the Access Point Information Notice you can see. What would be your best response?
The best approach is to challenge during the safety briefing and then ask the COSS to compare their information with what you saw on the Access Point Information Notice.
You should always feel empowered to raise a concern with the COSS, so don’t ignore it or leave it to someone else.
Prior to going on track, you overhear a colleague arguing on the phone with their partner and sounding stressed about bills. How would you best deal with this?
Talk to the COSS because the colleague will not be in a safe state of mind to be working on or near the line, and will likely become a danger to themselves or others. Don’t try and deal with the colleague’s problem yourself..
While working alongside a colleague, you notice a strong smell of alcohol. You know that some of the team went out drinking last night. Which two of these would be the best courses of action?
Sharing your concerns with the COSS would be the responsible thing to do. A colleague with potentially impaired judgement due to alcohol in their system is a risk to both themselves and others. It would be even better if the colleague were to tell the COSS themselves.
You fall on some sleepers while walking to site with your team and graze your knee. You are in some pain and discomfort and feel like you can’t carry on working. What should you do?
All accidents should be reported, however minor they are, as soon as possible – ideally within an hour.
If you don’t feel well enough to continue the work then you must stop working, come off track and get first aid so that the injury can be dealt with appropriately.
You should also raise a fault and a Close Call, so that actions can be put in place to mitigate dangerous underfoot conditions.
What is a prohibition notice
A prohibition notice is one of the most important signs on the railway. If this sign is present it means there is no safe access to this part of the track while trains are running, except in an emergency or if a line has been blocked.
Where might be considered a safe walking route?
Teams walking on or near the line must walk at least 2m (6ft 6in) from the track. This might be in the cess, or along an authorised walking route.
Where there is an authorised walking route, it must be used. Teams must be briefed on how to use it safely, including line speeds, direction of travel, identified hazards and any other safety related information.
What sign does an emergency phone have and where are they located?
An emergency phone has a green sign. They are in places of safety and can be used to call the emergency services, the operator, or to report a fault.
What sign does a lineside phone have and where are they located?
A phone with a black cross on a white background is a lineside phone, located in an area of limited clearance. These phones are used by train crews. Sometimes they will include another sign as well as the black cross – these have different meanings and give additional information about the location to Train Drivers.
When is the only time that staff who are not train crew may use a lineside phone?
In an emergency as they are not in a position of safety.
What sign does a signal post phone have?
A black and white striped sign on a phone cabinet means this is a signal post phone. Lifting the handset will immediately call the nearest Signaller and inform them of your location.
How can you tell a phone is a general railway phone?
A yellow cabinet with a black phone symbol is a general railway phone. They are often located at level crossings.
Within a possession, the signalling system is suspended after passenger trains have stopped. How are movements authorised here?
Movements within a possession are authorised and controlled by verbal instructions and hand signals.
How does a track circuit work?
The railway is divided up into different sections of track, each electrically isolated from the sections before and after it. Each section contains its own electrical circuit, which controls a signal located on the approach.
If there are no trains on that section of the track or on the one immediately ahead of it, the signal will be green, indicating to drivers that it’s safe to keep moving.
When the train enters a section of the track, it activates a circuit which changes the signal aspect to red. This tells the driver of the next train that there is already a train in this section, and they must wait.
As the first train moves along the next sections of the line, the signal changes back to yellow or green at which point the next train can enter safely.
How much distance should you keep betwenn you and any S&T or lineside location cabinet?
300mm (1ft)
If youre authorised to work within 1 ft of a S&T or lineside location cabinet, what must you do?
Always test before you touch, using an approved voltage indicator.
Never undertake an activity unless you have been trained, assessed as competent and have the right equipment.
With SSOW, what does ‘open line working’ mean?
Open line working uses a warning system to alert the team when a train is approaching. The system will be one of these:
Automatic Track Warning System (ATWS)
Train Operated Warning System (TOWS)
Semi-Automatic Train Warning System (SATWS)
Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS)
Unassisted Lookout Warning (Person with Flags) − this System of Work is only used as a last resort.
What does SATWS stand for and what is it?
A Semi-Automatic Track Warning System (SATWS) is used to warn staff of approaching trains. Warnings are activated automatically by means of Failsafe Train Detectors.
How often should you look up when walking on the track
Every 5 seconds
What should happen with a Fenced S.S.O.W
- When left in place, there should be a gap every 40 meters
- Extended at right angles at the both ends
- You should not lean or rest tools on the fence
- You should stay on the safe side of the fence
When working Separated with a Site Warden, how many meters must they keep you from any line open to train movements?
2 meters (6ft 6”)
If you are working plus 3 meters from an open line, do you require a Site Warden?
No
What is the maximum amount of open lines that you are allowed to cross to reach a P.O.S (Position of Safety)?
2 lines
Who is the person who warns you of approaching trains?
Lookout
When wearing ear defenders in a noisy environment, what will the Lookout use as their initial (first) method of warning?
Touch
