This document is a NOTIFIED STANDARD in the context of the European directives for interoperability of railway systems Railway Group Standard Personal Track Safety Synopsis This Standard mandates requirements for ensuring the safety of persons whose duties require them to go on or near the line or on the lineside. Submitted by - Elizabeth Fleming Standards Project Manager Authorised by Brian Alston Controller, Railway Group Standards This document is the property of Railway Safety. It shall not be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of the Controller, Railway Group Standards, Railway Safety. Published by: Railway Safety Evergreen House 160 Euston Road London NW1 2DX Copyright 2002 Railway Safety
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Railway Group Standard Page 1 of 20 Contents Section Description Page Part A A1 Issue record 2 A2 Implementation of this document 2 A3 Scope of Railway Group Standards 2 A4 Responsibilities 2 A5 Health and safety responsibilities 3 A6 Technical content 3 A7 Supply 3 Part B B1 Purpose 4 B2 Application of this document 4 B3 Definitions 5 B4 Principles 6 B5 Planning 6 B6 Protection and warning 7 B7 Competence and fitness 8 B8 Authorised Walking Routes 10 B9 Information 10 B10 Minimum age 11 B11 Training 11 B12 Monitoring and review 11 Appendices A Medical fitness 13 B Competence 16 References 20 RAILWAY SAFETY 1
Railway Group Standard Page 2 of 20 Withdrawn Document A1 Issue record Part A Issue Date Comments One October 2002 Supersedes GO/RT3353 Issue Two This document will be updated when necessary by distribution of a complete replacement. A2 Implementation of this document The publication date of this document is 5 October 2002 This document comes into force on 7 December 2002. The dates by which compliance with the requirements of this document is to be achieved are set out in Part B2. Where those dates are later than the date on which this document comes into force, this is to give Railway Group members additional time to plan and commence implementation so as to achieve full compliance by the dates set out in Part B2. This document supersedes the following Railway Group Standards, either in whole or in part as indicated: Railway Group Standard Issue No. Title GO/RT3353 Two Personal Track Safety RGS sections superseded by this document Date(s) as of which sections are superseded All December 2002 A3 Scope of Railway Group Standards A4 Responsibilities The overall scope of Railway Group Standards is set out in Appendix A of GA/RT6001. The specific scope of this document is set out in Part B2. Railway Group Standards are mandatory on all members of the Railway Group* and apply to all relevant activities that fall into the scope of each individual s Railway Safety Case. If any of those activities are performed by a contractor, the contractor s obligation in respect of Railway Group Standards is determined by the terms of the contract between the respective parties. Where a contractor is a duty holder of a Railway Safety Case then Railway Group Standards apply directly to the activities described in the Safety Case. * The Railway Group comprises Railtrack PLC, Railway Safety, and the train and station operators who hold railway safety cases for operation on or related to infrastructure controlled by Railtrack PLC. Railtrack PLC is known as Railtrack. 2 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 3 of 20 A5 Health and safety responsibilities A6 Technical content In issuing this document, Railway Safety makes no warranties, express or implied, that compliance with all or any documents published by Railway Safety is sufficient on its own to ensure safe systems of work or operation. Each user is reminded of its own responsibilities to ensure health and safety at work and its individual duties under health and safety legislation. The technical content of this document has been approved by: Richard Evans, Head of Operations and Human Factors, Railway Safety Enquiries should be directed to Railway Safety Tel: 020 7904 7518 A7 Supply Controlled and uncontrolled copies of this document may be obtained from the Industry Safety Liaison Dept, Railway Safety, Evergreen House, 160 Euston Road, London NW1 2DX. RAILWAY SAFETY 3
Railway Group Standard Page 4 of 20 Withdrawn Document B1 Purpose B2 Application of this document Part B This Standard mandates requirements for ensuring the safety of persons whose duties require them to go on or near the line or on the lineside. B2.1 To whom the requirements apply This document contains requirements that are applicable to Railway Safety and duty holders of the following categories of Railway Safety Case: a) infrastructure controller b) station operator c) train operator. Under the Railways (Safety Case) Regulations 2000, the duty holder at a station (as defined in those Regulations) is responsible for ensuring that the requirements of Railway Group Standards are complied with. At a station, contractual arrangements (including a lease) do not of themselves relieve the duty holder of his obligations under those Regulations. B2.2 Compliance requirements B2.2.1 Infrastructure The requirements of this document shall be complied with no later than 7 December 2002. B2.2.2 Stations The requirements of this document shall be complied with no later than 7 December 2002. B2.2.3 Trains The requirements of this document shall be complied with no later than 7 December 2002. B2.2.4 General compliance requirements Until the compliance date, or the date by which compliance is achieved (if earlier), the applicable requirements of the predecessor documents shall continue to be met (see Part A for details). After the compliance date, or after the date by which compliance is achieved (if earlier), Railway Group members shall not deviate from the requirements set out in this document. Where it is considered not practicable, or not reasonably practicable, to comply with the requirements set out in this document, authorisation not to comply shall be sought in accordance with GA/RT6001, GA/RT6004 or GA/RT6006. B2.3 Related requirements in other documents Note that mandatory detailed instructions about personal track safety applicable to all persons who go on or near the line or on the lineside are contained in GO/RT3000 (Master Rule Book) and (where applicable) Electrified Lines Instructions. Requirements for the construction, signing and maintenance of authorised walking routes are contained in GC/RT5203. 4 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 5 of 20 B3 Definitions Authorised Walking Route A route (which might include cess walkways and defined pathways) which has been specially designated for use where appropriate for either walking to and from a place of work when carrying out railway duties or going to or from a booking-on point. Details of Authorised Walking Routes are published locally. Controller of Site Safety (COSS) A person appointed and certificated as competent to ensure a safe system of protection is in place to enable work to be carried out by a group, of persons in a Red or Green Zone. GO/RT3358 sets out the competence and medical fitness requirements for COSS. GO/RT3000 The Master Rulebook details the duties of a COSS Exceptional circumstances Circumstances when owing to adverse weather conditions, equipment failure, accident or other incident it is necessary to undertake work at short notice to avoid or reduce risks to people or significant disruption to train services, and it is not practicable to make alternative arrangements. Green Zone A site of work on or near the line within which there are no train movements (other than movements of engineering trains or On-Track Plant within an Engineering Supervisor s worksite at no greater than walking pace). GO/RT3000 Section B (ii) details the requirements necessary for a site of work to be classified as a green zone. Individual Working Alone (IWA) A person certificated as competent to ensure their own protection to enable them to carry out work as defined in GO/RT3000 Section B(ii). GO/RT3358 sets out the competence and medical fitness requirements for IWA. Lockout system Fixed equipment intended to allow the user to prevent or restrict the signalling of trains to provide for the protection of persons on or near the line. On or near the line A person is on or near the line if they are on the line or within 3 metres (or 10 feet) of the nearest rail of any line. However, if there is a structure or a continuous permanent fence within 3 metres (or 10 feet) of the nearest rail, they are only on or near the line if they are either: a) on the line itself, or b) within the space between the structure or fence and the nearest line. If a person is on a station platform, the only situation where they are considered as being on or near the line is when they are carrying out an engineering or technical activity (eg white line painting) within 1.25 metres (or 4 feet) of the platform edge. Special arrangements must be applied where the line speed exceeds 125 mph. A person is not considered to be on or near the line if they are crossing the line at a level crossing. RAILWAY SAFETY 5
Railway Group Standard Page 6 of 20 Withdrawn Document On the lineside A person is on the lineside if they are: a) within the area between the railway boundary fencing and the point that is defined as on or near the line, and b) where they would be in the view of the driver of an approaching train or movement. A person is not on the lineside if they are on a station platform. Red Zone A site of work on or near the line which is not protected from train movements. B4 Principles B4.1 Work on or near the line shall be planned (see section B5 of this document). B4.2 Information about the hazards to workers and methods of protection or warning appropriate to each location (or the criteria for determining them) shall be published (see section B9 of this document). B4.3 Persons required to carry out work on or near the line shall be: a) medically fit (see Appendix A of this document) b) competent to apply the rules and other measures for ensuring their safety (see section B7 and Appendix B of this document) c) protected from or warned of moving trains (see sections B6 and B8 of this document). B5 Planning B5.1 Railway Group members shall ensure that processes are in place for the planning of all work to be carried out on or near the line, including: a) an assessment of the risks associated with work on or near the line at the location where work is to take place. The assessment shall ensure that methods of carrying out the work that remove or reduce the need for persons to go on or near the line are adopted where reasonably practicable, and shall take into account the safety benefits gained from performing tasks in daylight and of observing the performance of the infrastructure when trains are operating at their maximum permitted speeds b) the method of protection or warning to be used, applying the hierarchy of protection and warning methods set out in section B6.1 of this document and taking into account the nature, location and duration of the work and restrictions on the use of certain warning methods at certain locations (see section B6.2 of this document) Note: Certain work may need to be carried out either in daylight or with trains running to achieve the required standard. c) the equipment needed to establish the protection or warning systems provided for in the plan d) the arrangements for informing persons who will carry out the duties of Controller of Site Safety (COSS) or, when a person is competent and authorised to work alone, an Individual Working Alone (IWA), of the hazards and the protection or warning methods to be adopted. 6 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 7 of 20 This shall not apply to persons carrying out the duties of a train driver, guard, shunter, signaller or crossing keeper. B5.2 In exceptional circumstances, the work shall be planned by the COSS or IWA, who shall determine the protection or warning method to be used, applying the hierarchy of protection and warning set out in section B6.1 of this document and the instructions in GO/RT3000. B6 Protection and warning B6.1 Green and red zones The hierarchy of protection and warning methods is as follows. The details of each method, and the conditions for using it, are contained in GO/RT3000. The order of preference for applying the hierarchy commences with the most preferred method of protection: a) safeguarded green zone, which requires the stoppage of train movements on all lines at the location of the work b) fenced green zone, which requires the stoppage of train movements on any line(s) on which work is to be carried out, one or more lines remain open to trains and the site of work is protected from the open lines by means of a temporary fence or barrier c) separated green zone, which requires the stoppage of train movements on the line(s) on which work is to be carried out, one or more lines remain open to trains and the site of work is separated from the open line(s) by a minimum distance defined in GO/RT3000. In certain circumstances a Site Warden is employed to warn workers who infringe the minimum distance d) a red zone in which warning is given by an Automatic Track Warning System (ATWS) activated by approaching trains e) a red zone in which warning is given by Train Operated Warning System (TOWS) f) a red zone in which warning is given by Lookout Operated Warning System (LOWS) or ATWS g) a red zone in which warning is given by one or more Lookouts. B6.2 Limitations on red zone working Red zone working shall be prohibited where one or more of the following applies: a) trains are operating at speeds in excess of 125mph (200kph) b) the nature of the work means that a warning time in excess of 45 seconds would be required (see GO/RT3000) c) There would be three or more lines open to traffic between the site of work and the designated position of safety In addition the infrastructure controller shall identify locations where, because of limited clearances or other factors, red zone working would result in intolerable levels of risk. These locations shall be prohibited to red zone working. The infrastructure controller shall publish details of all locations where red zone working is prohibited. RAILWAY SAFETY 7
Railway Group Standard Page 8 of 20 Withdrawn Document B7 Competence and fitness B7.1 On the lineside Where access or work is required on the lineside, the infrastructure controller shall ensure that this is managed so as to prevent persons from straying on or near the line and being exposed to hazards from moving trains, electric traction current and other sources and to ensure they comply with the rules applicable to working on the lineside contained in GO/RT3000. B7.2 On or near the line medical fitness B7.2.1 Any person required to go on or near the line in the course of their employment shall be medically fit in compliance with this document, if their duties involve: a) working in red or green zones b) walking on or near the line to gain access to a permanent or temporary work location, or for any other purpose authorised by a Railway Group member. B7.2.2 Persons permitted to go on or near the line who are undergoing a training course in PTS shall meet the medical fitness requirements contained in Appendix A to this document. B7.2.3 Persons permitted to use authorised walking routes who do not hold PTS certification do not have to meet the medical fitness requirements of this document. The railway group member responsible for such persons shall ensure they are not endangered by any declared medical condition or impaired visual acuity or hearing. B7.2.4 Persons who do not hold PTS certification, who need to gain access on or near the line for purposes which do not directly affect the infrastructure or do not require the use of plant or manual tools, and which occur infrequently (eg once or twice in any calendar year), do not have to meet the medical fitness requirements of this document, provided that: a) they are physically able to walk to and from the location to which they are gaining access and walk in the underfoot conditions at that location b) they can respond promptly to warnings and c) they are able to move to a position of safety if required d) measures are in place to prevent existing medical conditions, if any, becoming a hazard to their own personal safety, the safety of any person accompanying them and the safety of train operations. B7.2.5 The medical fitness requirements of this document do not apply to a person who only goes on or near the line: a) in an emergency in order to prevent death or injury occurring b) to retrieve an article which has been dropped onto a platform line at a station, in accordance with GO/RT3000 and local instructions. 8 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 9 of 20 B7.3 On or near the line competence B7.3.1 Any person required to go on or near the line in the course of their employment shall be competent in compliance with this document, if their duties involve: a) working in red or green zones b) walking on or near the line to gain access to a permanent or temporary work location, other than by means of an authorised walking route, or for any other purpose authorised by a Railway Group member. The competence requirements are contained in Appendix B to this document. B7.3.2 Persons who are undergoing a training course in PTS under the direct supervision of a COSS are not required to have been certified as competent but shall have attained sufficient understanding of track safety rules and the hazards of the track environment for the purpose, before being permitted on or near the line. B7.3.3 Users of authorised walking routes shall be: a) briefed at induction and subsequently at defined intervals, to inform them of the hazards b) briefed on authorised walking routes in location-specific safety training. Where the risks to users of authorised walking routes are significant (for example, where the route is intended for access by train crew to stabling points in complex layouts, crossing multiple running lines) PTS certification shall be held. Note: a train driver, guard, shunter, signaller or crossing keeper does not have to hold a separate PTS certificate. B7.3.4 Persons who do not hold PTS certification, who need to gain access on or near the line for purposes which do not directly affect the infrastructure or do not require the use of plant or manual tools, and which occur infrequently (eg once or twice in any calendar year), do not have to meet the competence requirements of this document, provided that: a) they are accompanied and supervised throughout by a COSS b) they have been issued with a visitors permit by the railway group member on whose behalf access is required, limited to the location and time period required to achieve the purpose of their visit, which shall be surrendered at the end of their visit c) they have been briefed on the hazards they will encounter and the arrangements for their safety, including the action they must take in an emergency d) they have been issued with, and are wearing, an approved high visibility vest or jacket (see GO/RT3279 High Visibility Clothing.) B7.3.5 The competence requirements of this document do not apply to a person who only goes on or near the line: a) in an emergency to prevent death or injury occurring RAILWAY SAFETY 9
Railway Group Standard Page 10 of 20 Withdrawn Document b) to retrieve an article which has been dropped onto a platform line at a station, in accordance with GO/RT3000 and local instructions. B7.4 Competence for planning The infrastructure controller shall ensure that persons responsible for planning work on or near the line are sufficiently competent to: a) understand the hazards of working on or near the line, generally and also specific to locations within their planning responsibilities b) understand the measures available to control risks to persons working on or near the line and the rules and conditions for their application c) maintain a working knowledge of the locations within their planning responsibilities d) produce plans and documented protection arrangements which are accurate and comprehensible to those required to implement them (eg contractors work planners, individual COSS and signallers). In addition the persons responsible for planning the method of work shall be sufficiently competent to carry out a sufficient assessment of risk (or interpret accurately assessments carried out by others) to identify measures to control the risks which are appropriate to the planned work and its location B8 Authorised Walking Routes B8.1 Authorised walking route assessment of risks Where an authorised walking route is provided, the Railway Group member(s) shall assess the risks to its staff and contractors required to use it from moving trains and track components and electric traction current, and determine the measures needed to control the identified risks. B8.2 Authorised walking route - monitoring Monitoring of the use of an authorised walking route shall be carried out by the Railway Group member(s) whose staff or contractors use it, to ensure it is being used in compliance with the requirements of this document, GO/RT3000 and the arrangements put in place by the Railway Group member(s) for the safety of users. B8.3 Authorised walking route - implementation Measures to meet the requirements and control measures for authorised walking routes shall be implemented by the Railway Group member(s) for whose staff (or contractors) the walking route has been provided. B9 Information B9.1 The infrastructure controller shall publish and make available to its contractors and other Railway Group members: a) information to assist the planning of work and protection or warning of persons working on or near the line b) details of locations where work in red zones is prohibited c) details of access points to the infrastructure accurately identified in order to reduce the need for persons to walk on or near the line to a site of work d) details of known hazards in addition to trains and electric traction current. 10 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 11 of 20 B9.2 Railway Group members shall have processes to provide information about hazards, protection and warning systems, access points and other information necessary for their personal safety on or near the line, to their staff and their contractors. Such information shall be: a) accurate b) comprehensible to those required to use it c) presented in a form and medium which is accessible to and, where necessary, portable by the user d) updated to reflect changes to the infrastructure, protection requirements and warning systems. Such processes shall include checks on contractors arrangements for passing safety information to their employees and others working on their behalf. B9.3 Railway Group members shall have processes to ensure that persons other than their employees or contractors who they permit to have access to Railtrack controlled infrastructure are informed of hazards to their safety at the relevant locations, whether or not these are on or near the line. B10 Minimum age B10.1 The minimum age for holding PTS certification is 16 years. B10.2 Persons of 16 or 17 years of age shall only be permitted on or near the line under the supervision of a COSS. B10.3 The minimum age at which a person may be certificated as competent to perform COSS, IWA or Lookout duties is 18 years. B10.4 No person under 16 years of age shall be permitted on or near the line. B11 Training B12 Monitoring and review Railway Group members shall have processes in place to ensure that training in PTS is provided where required for their employees and those of their contractors and that it is consistent with the requirements of this document and GO/RT3000. B12.1 Railway Group members shall carry out periodic monitoring of processes for: a) PTS training, competence assessment and certification b) ensuring medical fitness c) ensuring that arrangements for infrequent visitors (see clauses 7.2.4 and 7.3.4) are effective and not abused d) ensuring that the arrangements for authorised walking routes remain effective. RAILWAY SAFETY 11
Railway Group Standard Page 12 of 20 Withdrawn Document B12.2 Railway Group members shall carry out periodic monitoring of persons working on or near the line to ensure compliance with PTS requirements. 12 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 13 of 20 Appendix A Medical fitness 1.1 Principle 1.1.1 The medical fitness requirements in this Appendix apply to anyone whose duties require them to hold a (PTS) certificate, unless more restrictive work-related requirements are mandated elsewhere. 1.1.2 Meeting the medical requirements in this document indicates that a person is sufficiently medically fit to look after their own safety when on or near the line. It shall not be assumed that the person concerned is medically fit to undertake safety critical work or engineering work on or near the line. 1.1.3 Medical assessments to meet the requirements of this document shall be carried out by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner with experience of occupational medicine (an occupational physician) and an understanding of the hazards of the trackside environment, and how lack of medical fitness could reduce the effectiveness of safe systems of work intended to control those hazards. 1.1.4 Where a person does not meet all of these requirements at a medical assessment, a decision to permit that person to continue to hold a PTS certificate may be taken by the railway group member, subject to the following steps being taken. a) The advice of the occupational physician shall be obtained on the likely effects on the ability of that person to look after their own safety when on or near the line and appropriate measures to mitigate those effects. b) The railway group member shall: i) document the measures taken to mitigate any adverse effects identified ii) iii) inform the person concerned and their immediate supervisor or manager of restrictions or changes needed to systems of work ensure the person s PTS certification is endorsed. Measures shall include documented processes for ensuring that any restrictions or changed system of work are communicated to the relevant Controller of Site Safety (COSS). 1.1.5 A person whose medical fitness status falls within the scope of paragraph 1.1.4 shall not be permitted to act as a COSS, IWA or Lookout or be unaccompanied when on or near the line. 1.1.6 Railway group members shall ensure that their contractors comply with these medical fitness requirements. RAILWAY SAFETY 13
Railway Group Standard Page 14 of 20 Withdrawn Document 1.2 Frequency of medical assessments and certification 1.2.1 A medical assessment shall be carried out before a person is issued with a PTS certificate for the first time and thereafter at intervals to meet the requirements of paragraph 1.2.2. 1.2.2 The maximum validity of medical certificates issued and frequency of assessments shall be limited by reference to the age of the person assessed at the date of the assessment, as follows. Age at date of medical Assessment Less than 40 years From 40 to 49 years inclusive From 50 to 59 years inclusive Maximum validity of certificate (unless revoked earlier) 10 years 6 years 4 years 60 years and over 2 years. 1.2.3 Where paragraph 1.1.4 applies, the occupational physician shall consider issuing a medical certificate for a shorter period of validity as a control measure. 1.2.4 Each medical certificate shall record, in addition to the limit of its validity: a) that the person named on it has been medically assessed in accordance with the medical fitness requirements of this document b) any medical limitations arising from the application of paragraph 1.1.4 c) colour vision status (normal/abnormal) d) the name of the occupational physician responsible for the medical examination. 1.2.5 Railway Group members shall retain a copy of medical certificates issued in respect of their employees for the duration of their employment. 1.3 Medical fitness requirements 1.3.1 Visual acuity a) distance vision at least 6/9 in the better eye and 6/12 in the other eye, with spectacles or contact lenses if worn b) if a person is dependent on contact lenses to meet these requirements, spectacles of an equivalent prescription shall be carried when on or near the line c) no pathological condition of the eyes likely to cause visual impairment should be present d) the use of tinted or photochromic prescription spectacles is permitted, subject to the requirements of sub-paragraph (c). 14 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 15 of 20 1.3.2 Colour Vision a) colour vision shall be assessed using the Ishihara Plates test (or validated equivalent) and reported as normal or abnormal b) normal colour vision is not required for certification in, but it is a requirement of certain tasks undertaken on or near the line to which other, job-specific, requirements apply. 1.3.3 Hearing a) audiometric assessment shall be carried out b) hearing loss should not exceed 30dB averaged over frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2kHz in either ear c) no pathological condition likely to cause unpredictable fluctuation in hearing levels should be present d) provided that this standard is met without the use of a hearing aid, a hearing aid may be used to improve hearing further. 1.3.4 General health Persons shall not be permitted to go on or near the line if they are suffering from medical conditions or taking any medical treatment, likely to cause: a) sudden loss of consciousness b) impairment of awareness or concentration c) sudden incapacity d) visual impairment of a temporary or transient nature e) impairment of balance or co-ordination f) significant limitation of mobility. 1.4 Assessment following illness or injury 1.4.1 A medical assessment shall be carried out when there is any doubt as to a person s fitness to go on or near the line following illness, injury or a near miss, whether or not the person concerned has been absent from work. 1.4.2 Such an assessment shall be carried out before the person is permitted to go on or near the line. RAILWAY SAFETY 15
Railway Group Standard Page 16 of 20 Withdrawn Document Appendix B Competence 2.1 Competence assessment 2.1.1 Persons whose duties require (PTS) certification shall be assessed as competent to apply the PTS instructions necessary for their duties, set out in GO/RT3000. 2.1.2 Assessment of competence in PTS shall include: a) practical demonstrations of competence where indicated in the competence requirements, carried out in a way which complies with GO/RT3000 b) a test of the knowledge essential for PTS, contained in the GO/RT3000 c) a means of assessing the person s ability to apply the essential knowledge in a range of conditions and practical situations appropriate to their work which may not occur normally during the assessment process. 2.1.3 Competence shall be reassessed at least once every two years. 2.1.4 A competence assessor for PTS shall hold: a) PTS certification b) certification as a competent COSS, to set up a safe system of work for practical assessments c) a qualification recognised by the infrastructure controller as an assessor of competence in PTS for: i) its employees ii) iii) its contractors and persons working on their behalf other persons authorised go on or near the line by the infrastructure controller. Other Railway Group members shall determine the means of meeting this requirement for their employees, contractors and other persons who they authorise to go on or near the line on their behalf. 2.2 Certification 2.2.1 PTS certification shall only be issued if the person has been trained and assessed as competent and medically fit in compliance with this document. 2.2.2 PTS certification shall have a maximum validity of two years from the date of completion of assessment. Where an assessment is completed less than 8 weeks before the expiry date of an existing certificate it is permitted to use that expiry date as the starting point of the new certificate. 16 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 17 of 20 PTS certification shall be revoked if the conduct of the holder gives cause to suspect lack of competence when on or near the line, or if the holder is unable to meet medical fitness requirements. Certification shall only be restored when competence or medical assessment has shown that the person concerned complies with the requirements of this Standard. 2.2.3 PTS certification shall not be transferable between persons. 2.2.4 Persons whose duties require them to be competent in PTS shall carry with them when on or near the line a means of confirming: a) current certification of competence b) their identification, including a photograph (whether or not the photograph is part of a separate document) c) the name of their employer. 2.2.5 The infrastructure controller shall determine and publish the means of meeting the requirements of 2.2.4 for: a) its employees b) its contractors and persons working on their behalf c) persons authorised go on or near the line who are not employees of Railway Group members or their contractors. Other Railway Group members shall determine the means of meeting this requirement for their employees, contractors and other persons who they authorise to go on or near the line on their behalf. 2.2.6 PTS certification shall not be taken as sufficient evidence that the holder is authorised to have access to Railtrack-controlled infrastructure or to carry out work. 2.2.7 PTS certification shall indicate whether or not the holder has been assessed as competent to be on or near electrified lines. 2.3 Competence requirements 2.3.1 The requirements in this section 2.3, if met, shall be regarded as the minimum necessary for competence in PTS. The criteria shown in section 2.3.3 shall be met during an assessment of competence in PTS for persons whose duties require them to go on or near the line, except as shown in section 2.3.2. 2.3.2 For signallers, train drivers and other operations staff whose duties require them to go on or near the line, their PTS competence shall be assessed using relevant criteria selected from the list below and which address the risks to such staff when on or near the line. The selection shall take account of the rules contained in the personalised rule book issued to operations staff and the specific risks RAILWAY SAFETY 17
Railway Group Standard Page 18 of 20 Withdrawn Document arising from their work, such as location and frequency of exposure to hazards (eg shunting duties). 2.3.3 To qualify for PTS certification, a person shall be able to: a) make an accurate judgement of distance when assessing the limit of on or near the line (practical demonstration) b) state where information about local access points, walking routes and hazards can be obtained, including the identification and use of the relevant documents or other media (practical demonstration) c) identify a position of safety (practical demonstration) and demonstrate an understanding of its significance and its limitations d) understand the meaning of limited clearance and other lineside signs designed to convey information for their safety e) demonstrate the correct way of wearing high visibility clothing (practical demonstration) f) show the correct way of acknowledging a warning by the driver of a train and other actions to be taken when such a warning is heard (practical demonstration) g) walk alongside and cross railway lines safely, including when carrying tools, equipment or materials h) identify hazards to safety on or near the line arising from infrastructure and weather conditions and the precautions to be taken when they occur i) demonstrate understanding of the meaning of, and the differences between, green and red zones j) show the correct way of responding to a warning from ATWS or other warning system k) show the correct way of responding to a warning by a lookout (practical demonstration) l) describe the requirements to be met before any work can begin on or near the line m) describe the steps they must take if they see signs of danger on a moving train or see that the line has become unsafe Note: In this respect, Traincrew or Signallers carrying out their normal duties must also carry out other requirements laid down for them in GO/RT3000 n) describe the actions to be taken in an emergency involving persons on or near the line, including arrangements for obtaining an emergency electrical isolation (practical demonstration where applicable) and first aid. 2.3.4 The competence requirements shall be assessed in each of the following contexts, where applicable to the hazards to which the PTS holder is likely to be exposed. a) plain line b) converging lines and pointwork c) electrified lines 18 RAILWAY SAFETY
Railway Group Standard Page 19 of 20 d) limited clearance e) darkness/bad weather f) tunnels g) moving or stationary vehicles h) bi-directional lines and multiple tracks i) high noise levels or other possible distractions including those from outside the railway boundary j) walking and working on or near the line alone or in a group. 2.3.5 Evidence of knowledge of the rules relating to personal track safety shall be provided, as a minimum in the following areas: a) terms used to describe track and trackside features b) significance of signal aspects and level crossing gates/barrier position c) what constitutes a position of safety d) means of communication and how to use them (including safety messages as prescribed in GO/RT3000 section A) e) information needed for track safety and where to find it (including details of local hazards and arrangements for the provision of first aid in the event of personal injury) f) methods of obtaining an electrical isolation in an emergency. RAILWAY SAFETY 19
Railway Group Standard Page 20 of 20 Withdrawn Document References Railway Group Standards and other Railway Group Documents GA/RT6001 Railway Group Standards Change Procedures GA/RT6004 Temporary Non-Compliance with Railway Group Standards GA/RT6006 Derogations from Railway Group Standards GO/RT3000 The Master Rule Book GO/RT4100 Section Z A.C. Electrified Lines Instructions GO/RT3091 D.C. Electrified Lines Instructions GO/RT3358 Persons Responsible for Protecting Work on or Near the Line GC/RT5203 Infrastructure Rrequirements for Personal Safety in respect of Clearances and Access GO/RT3279 High Visibility Clothing The Catalogue of Railway Group Standards and the Railway Group Standards CD-ROM give the current issue number and status of documents published by Railway Safety. Other References RT/LS/S/019 Railtrack Company Specification Protection of People Working On Or Near the Line. 20 RAILWAY SAFETY