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12th August 2009, 10:54 AM
greetings all,
have just been asked if I have a PTS card, which slightly threw me! After a little internet searching have found that these are required for working on the railway lines. I was a little surprised at this as I have worked on the railway lines before (only last year) and there was no requirement for this - only the standard site induction.
I was wondering if anyone out there had any information on how to get a PTS card? I am having some difficulty finding this out... :face-huh:
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12th August 2009, 04:10 PM
I'd ask Network Rail who they recommend or you are likely to get stung.
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12th August 2009, 04:54 PM
I think it is slightly more complicated than just asking Network Rail, but in some ways it is also easier.
If you are an individual who wishes to get a PTS card you have to be delegated to attend the safety course by a Railtrack approved body. And if you work for such a body it will obviously be in their interest to put you forward for the course. I suspect this isn't the case.....
However if you work as an archaeologist on a project that requires you to have a PTS card then I can guarantee there will be a course available for you. And your employer will know about it, because they won't be able to put anyone to work in the 'PTS' area without having attended the course.
From memory of the CTRL project even our delivery drivers had to have attended the course. But as I also remember the PTS cards for archaeologists were only valid for the length of the project (or the component of the project involving archaeology), so there was no taking away a valid safety card that could be used on other projects. Thats not how the railway safety system works..
I'm really surprised that you didn't need a card to work in a railway safety area last year ans suspect that something was slightly awry or your induction was in effect a PTS course, in which case I am also surprised you weren't issued with a safety pass..
With peace and consolation hath dismist, And calm of mind all passion spent...
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13th August 2009, 10:06 AM
Thanks for the reply Kevin, as always a clear and helpful reply!
The induction at the previous site was the usual mix of what not to do and the latest list of health and safety infringements from the previous month on other sites around the country.
I think the reason no PTS card was given was that it was a rush job as they had forgotten about the archaeology until the last minute (wow, does that sound familiar?!) and needed to throw us out there quickly. The line was also closed down for the duration of the scheme, and I was shadowed by a H&S rail employee all the time (he happened to be a big fan of archaeology and talked at me constantly, which was nice, then slightly annoying)...
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13th August 2009, 10:21 AM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by lobsterPot
Thanks for the reply Kevin, as always a clear and helpful reply!
The induction at the previous site was the usual mix of what not to do and the latest list of health and safety infringements from the previous month on other sites around the country.
I think the reason no PTS card was given was that it was a rush job as they had forgotten about the archaeology until the last minute (wow, does that sound familiar?!) and needed to throw us out there quickly. The line was also closed down for the duration of the scheme, and I was shadowed by a H&S rail employee all the time (he happened to be a big fan of archaeology and talked at me constantly, which was nice, then slightly annoying)...
Ah, it sounds like they got round it by having you 'escorted' by someone the appropriate qualifications. I've seen that done on other sites which require special H&S qualifications.
My recollection is the same as Kevin's about how and when you get such a card.
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13th August 2009, 02:36 PM
Quote:quote:Originally posted by kevin wooldridge
I think it is slightly more complicated than just asking Network Rail, but in some ways it is also easier.
I simply meant ask Network Rail who they recommend for the training as it is easy to get ripped off for training courses. Being specific to railways the tests include hearing test and drug and alcohol testing components. If the need for the card can be mitigated by COSS shadowing it will probably be less hassle and cost.
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13th August 2009, 02:51 PM
All good stuff Meso... look forward to the Guide
Constant development is the law of life, and a man who always tries to maintain his dogmas in order to appear consistent drives himself into a false position.
Mohandas Gandhi
