About | Rulebook Training
PTS
Personal Track Safety
About the course
This course is intended for candidates who wish to work ‘on or near the line’ on the Northern Ireland Railways.
Candidates will learn the key safety elements and aspects of the railway as well as a range of safety critical terminology (including the Phonetic Alphabet).
Candidates will be shown the different safe systems of work that are used across the Northern Ireland Railway infrastructure (Red and Green Zones) and what the parameters are for working in each of the different zones.
Candidates will learn who is responsible for setting up a safe system of work at their workplace, and be given instruction on the safe procedures, how to carry out the emergency call procedure and the different techniques that are to be used to stop trains in an emergency during the day and during darkness.
Day 2 of the training event includes a practical element on track, this allows candidates to experience and identify areas covered during the course. A classroom based assessment will also be carried out by the candidates.
By the end of the course, candidates will be able to understand the systems designed to keep them safe.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must be over the age of 18 and sponsored by a Translink approved railway company before undertaking the PTS course (required for all courses). This is a company who have been authorised by Translink NIR to supply workers to the Railway industry.
Candidates will also need to have completed a medical and drug & alcohol screening with an approved supplier, prior to attending the course to ensure that they are fit to work on the railway.
LOOKOUT
About the course:
The lookout is a key safety critical role when working Red Zone, training will give an insight on how to protect work groups when working Red Zone.
On this course candidates will be shown what a full lookout kit should consist of, as well as how to alert (give warning) work groups that a train is approaching, and what warning methods should be used (Horn, Whistle & Touch).
The course also consists of a practical element which will show the candidates how to carry out the job role to the correct standard required for the Northern Ireland Railways infrastructure.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS competence, have been designated as suitable by their Sponsor and no longer under Learning Support.
TSC
Track Safety Co-ordinator
About the course:
As a TSC you will be competent to work alone and make arrangements to set up a safe system of work for groups of people who are to work ‘on or near the line’. This training course will focus on the arrangements that are required to undertake the duties of a TSC. It is vital for safety that a group of people who are to work ‘on or near the line’ must do so under the control of a competent TSC.
On this course candidates will be instructed on how to set up and withdraw Safe Systems of Work (SSOW) whilst applying rulebook standards to their daily work on the NIR railway infrastructure.
Candidates will be shown who they should sign in and out with - during Engineering works.
The candidates will learn in depth what is required from them when setting up a different safe system of work in a Green zone (Safeguarded, Separated & Fenced) as well as how to set up, implement and test a safe system when working Red Zone (Working takes place between the passage of trains).
Candidates will be shown the correct processes to undertake if they are ever required to take a line block (T2A). This includes where the information would be found, how they should speak to the signaller in the controlling signal cabin for the area and what equipment they need to carry out the job role fully in line with rule book regulations.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS competence must have held PTS for greater than 6 months and have been designated as suitable by their Sponsor to enable them to attain the TSC competence, including a good level of literacy. Candidates should no longer be under learning support; Safety Critical Communications training is required as per Translink guidelines.
EO
Emergency Operator
About the course:
Candidates on this course will be shown how to operate barriers on the Northern Ireland Railways Infrastructure. Barriers include, Automatic Half Barriers (AHB), Manually Controlled Barriers (CCTV) and Miniature Stop Light Crossings (MSL).
Candidates will be shown how each different crossing works and who they should take instruction from before taking “Local Control”.
Candidates will gain a better understanding as to what equipment is required to carry out the job role fully, and the processes involved to ensure the safe passage of Trains, Engineering Trains, On Track Machines (OTM) or Road Rail Vehicles (RRV) across the level crossing.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS competence and have completed their Learning Support.
ES
Engineering Supervisor
About the course:
The ES competence is required to be held by anyone who is required to set up and manage a worksite within an engineering possession on the rail infrastructure under the direction of a Person in Charge of Possession (PICOP). This includes the management of on and off-tracking Road Rail Vehicles (RRV’s) and engineering train and On Track Machine (OTM) movements within the designated worksite.
Candidates will also be shown how to hand over responsibility to a relieving ES and what information should be briefed to them before the relieved ES leaves the worksite.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must hold in date PTS for greater than 12months and TSC for greater than 6 months and have been designated as suitable by their Sponsor to enable them to attain the ES competence. Learning Support for previous competencies must be completed.
PO
Points OperatorAbout the course:
During the PO course, candidates will access a set of points on the network and be shown how to operate them manually, this will allow them to help with the movement of Trains, Engineering Trains, On Track Machines and Road Rail Vehicles on the infrastructure.
Candidates will be told who to take instruction from on the network and be shown how to apply the rule book standards to the job role, they will be shown how to take local control and operate the points in a safe manner using scotch blocks and clips during the practical element included in the course.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS competence and must also hold valid TSC. Learning Support for previous competencies must be completed.
RRVO
Rail Road Vehicle Operator
About the course:
On this course candidates will cover the responsibilities and competence requirements of the RRVO in accordance with Section Q of the Northern Ireland Railway Rulebook.
On the course candidates will be informed on which documentation they need to see proof of, and what documentation must be fully filled in to ensure the machine complies with the safety standards for the Northern Ireland Railways (NIR) infrastructure.
The candidates will also be shown what information they need to be aware of and carry themselves.
Candidates will also be shown which information they need including any attachments to ensure they are fit for purpose.
Candidates will be shown a wide range of hazards that machines may encounter “on or near the line” and what safety measures they should take into consideration when planning a “Dispatch and Catch” movement for the machine they are controlling.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must hold valid PTS, CPCS certification for operation of 360 Excavator above 5 ton. And have carried out Points and Crossing Familiarisation training as well as banks-person/slinging training. Learning Support for previous competencies must be completed.
RRVC
Road Rail Vehicle Controller
About the course:
On this course you will be taught how to meet all legal requirements related to controlling all movements of any Road Rail Vehicle (RRVC) safely. Information will be given detailing all aspects from going on or near the line, access/ egress, working, traveling, standing down and stabling.
This course will also cover into how to complete all the relevant paperwork relating to RRVC including catch and dispatch, PEM forms and GA2 forms.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS competence and must also hold valid TSC and Points Operator. Learning Support for previous competencies must be completed.
PICOP
Person In Charge Of Possession
About the course:
The PICOP competence is required to be held by anyone who is required to set up and manage a possession for the purpose of undertaking engineering works on the rail infrastructure.
Candidates will be shown how to apply rulebook standards to the role and be given instruction on how PICOP’s should control movements entering and leaving a possession.
Candidates will be shown the T3/T4 document, they will learn how to interpret and use it in line with the weekly operating notice (WON), to aid with placement of protection when taking absolute possession from the signaller, as well as what information and documentation they should always have on their person when carrying out the job role.
Suitability - Who should attend?
Candidates must have an in-date PTS, PO, ES and TSC and have been designated as suitable by their Sponsor to enable them to attain the PICOP competence. Candidates must have already completed the relevant learning support.