Safety Critical Communications

Question 1

Which communications between front line staff are safety critical?

Answer 1

All communications between front line staff are safety critical.

Question 2

How should safety critical communications be viewed?

Answer 2

As a contract between yourself and the other party.

Question 3

In communications between a driver and a signaller, who is responsible for the conversation?

Answer 3

Both driver and signaller are equally responsible for ensuring good communications even though the signaller would take lead responsibility.

Question 4

Operational performance always takes priority over safety.

True or false?

Answer 4

False. Safety should always be prioritised over operational performance.

Question 5

What does the rail communication protocol ABC-P stand for?

Answer 5

Accurate
Brief
Clear
Professional

Question 6

How should letters of the alphabet be communicated in safety critical communications?

Answer 6

By using the phonetic alphabet to help with clarity.

Question 7

How should numbers be said when communicating?

Answer 7

Numbers must be said individually.

Question 8

How must weights and measures be said when communicating?

Answer 8

Using natural language
Eg: one hundred miles

Question 9

How is the number 0 pronounced when communicating?

Answer 9

Zero

Question 10

How should times be communicated?

Answer 10

In 24 hour clock

Question 11

How would you verbally say the time 09:00?

Answer 11

Zero nine-hundred hours

Question 12

How would you verbally say the time that is midnight?

Answer 12

Twenty four hundred hours

Question 13

How would you verbally say the time 19:30?

Answer 13

Nineteen thirty hours

Question 14

What structure should be used when delivering a safety critical message?

Answer 14

Opening
Information
Actions
Confirmation

Question 15

What does it mean to have lead responsibility in a conversation?

Answer 15

One person should lead the communication and ensure that a clear understanding is achieved.

Even if you are not the lead, you should always support the lead and do some of the leading if necessary.

Question 16

What information needs to be included in the opening of a safety critical message?

Answer 16

Who you are and where you are
State your position (driver of headcode) and what you are doing (stood at x)
State your location by using signal numbers/ up and down information, Overhead line equipment numbers
Ensure that the signaller repeats back to you who you are and where you are.

Question 17

What must come first in a safety critical communication, actions or information?

Answer 17

Information must come first to inform any subsequent actions.

Question 18

Only the person with lead responsibility can give actions.

True or false?

Answer 18

False- both driver and signaller can give actions in both directions.

Question 19

What phrase is used when confirming that you have reached a clear understanding with the person you are communicating with?

Answer 19

Repeat back

Question 20

If a line is not clear, what phrase must you use instead of ‘line not clear’ and why?

Answer 20

You must always say ‘line blocked’ as the signaller could miss out the word ‘not’ and think that the line is clear.

Question 21

When correcting a verbal mistake, what phrase should you use?

Answer 21

Correction and then state the correct information

Question 22

When you want confirmation that you have a clear understanding, what phrase can you use?

Answer 22

Repeat back

Question 23

What words should you start an emergency call with?

Answer 23

This is an emergency call

Question 24

What does the phrase ‘over’ mean in safety critical communications?

Answer 24

I have finished my message and am expecting a reply.

Question 25

What does the phrase ‘out’ mean in safety critical communications?

Answer 25

I have finished my message and do not expect a reply.

Question 26

How would you structure an emergency call?

Answer 26

This is an emergency call, my name is x and I am a train driver for x on train headcode x, I am standing at x, I require x.

Concise information
Actions
Confirmation

Question 27

What are your actions as a driver when hearing an emergency broadcast?

Answer 27

Engage the emergency brake, bring your train to a stop and then press ‘ST’ on the GSM-R to let the signaller know that you have acknowledged the emergency and are at a stand (ST).

Question 28

Emergency calls are simplex.

True or false?

Answer 28

True- only the person who made the emergency call can speak at that time as they need to ‘push to talk’. No one can talk over this person during this call.

Question 29

Normal GSM-R calls are duplex.

True or false?

Answer 29

True- both the signaller and driver can talk at the same time and due to this there is a risk of talking over one another.

Question 30

Can you use the GSM-R whilst on the move?

Answer 30

No, you must never use the GSM-R while on the move.

Question 31

If you receive a message that states ‘contact signaller’, what are your actions?

Answer 31

At the next opportunity where you are at a stand (eg: at the next station stop), press the tick button which will call the signaller directly.

Question 32

Name four ways in which a signaller can provide information to a driver.

Answer 32

direct face to face
Direct via telephone or radio
Through a guard, shunter, pilot or hand signaller
Through any other competent person in the relevant rules