PTS Flashcards
What is meant by the following terms… AWR, CRE, OLE?
Authorised walking route
Conductor rail equipment
Overhead line equipment.
On each piece of railway infrastructure will be a plate with three pieces of information on, what are they?
Route
Distance from source
Unique structure number
What is meant by ‘On the lineside’
The lineside is any area between the railway boundary fence and the area known as ‘on or near the line’. This excludes station platforms or being behind a permanent structure.
What is meant by ‘On or near the line?
If you are within three metres of the nearest running line, excluding level crossings, you are on or near the line.
What PPE must be used on or near the line?
Hi vis and S3 safety boots. If working in darkness, poor visibility, or required to work in a tunnel, a suitable lamp is also needed.
What is the position of safety on a line with speed 101mph?
2m
What is the position of safety on a line with speed 100mph?
1.25m
How often should you check your surroundings, and how far should you be from a position of safety at any time?
every 5 seconds you should check for trains and remain within 10 seconds of a position of safety.
Red and white checked sign means?
Limited clearance, there is no position of safety for the length of the structure following this sign.
Blue and white checked sign means?
No refuges, but there are on the other side.
What types of phones do you have that go straight to the signaller?
- Signal post telephones (black diagonal stripes)
- Lineside telephones (Black X)
- Level crossing telephones (yellow sign with black phone)
What types of phones do you have on the railway that do not go directly to the signaller?
- ECO phone (white board with red phone)
- General railway phone (White board with black phone).
You see a sign with a red circle and line crossing over a walking person, what does this mean?
Prohibited access. You can only walk this way if conducting emergency protection or trains have been stopped on the line.
Under what circumstances can you go ‘on or near the line’?
- In an emergency.
- If your duties require you to do so.
Explain limited clearance telephones.
If a simple limited clearance phone (with only a red and white checked sign by the phone) is located adjacent to your line you can use this as protection is offered by the presence of your train.
If a sign is shaped with an arrow either way or has a yellow circle in, you must not use this phone unless it is an emergency, the signaller has blocked the other adjacent line, or another train has blocked the adjacent line for you.
Before accessing the line what information do you need to know?
- The access point.
- Line speed.
- Normal direction of travel on the line.
- Any areas people aren’t allowed to go while trains are running.
- Any other hazards that may affect your safety (limited sight of trains for example).
If a train carrying dangerous goods is involved in an accident, how must you start the emergency call?
“This is a rail dangerous goods emergency”
What signal can you give to stop an oncoming train?
- Wave a red flag.
- Raise both hands.
- Red light in darkness.
- Any light shaken vigorously in darkness.
What is meant by emergency protection?
If you are unable to contact the signaller in relation to a safety issue with a line, you must conduct emergency protection. This involves putting down TCOCs and detonators.
What is the process for putting down TCOCs
You place the clip furthest from the third rail first, then the one closest. To remove you do this in reverse.
How far apart should you place detonators and how far should you stand from them.
Three detonators should be placed 20m apart on the rail furthest from the conductor rail and you should stand a minimum of 30m from them.
How far away should detonators be placed and what reasons may change this (3T’s and a sugary doughnut).
They should be placed 2 KM from the TCOC unless.
T - Tunnel (if you reach a tunnel they should be placed at the entrance and if the full protective distance is within the tunnel then also on the other side)
T - Telephone, if you reach a phone and are able to contact the signaller.
T - Train (if you see an oncoming train)
S - Signal box
D - Divergent junction (protection should be placed at the junction and then take a route).
What must you make sure of if rescuing someone from the CRE?
You must make sure the CRE is off before rescuing anyone on, or within 300mm of the the CRE, unless…
- You are sure the person is alive
- You cannot get the CRE switched off in time
- You can cover your hands with something dry and non conductive
- you can stand on a non conductive surface
- you are not using metal objects
What must you make sure of if rescuing someone from the OLE?
The OLE must be earthed and isolated before you attempt to rescue anyone within 2.75m, unless you are sure of all of the following….
- The person is alive and can be reached from ground level.
- An emergency switch off is in place.
- The person is more than 600mm from the OLE.
- You are not holding anything that will come within 600mm of the OLE.
