Any person wishing to work in the rail industry must undergo Personal Track Safety (or PTS) training and acquire at least an entry level qualification. Training usually occurs over the course of two days, and there can be no more than 12 delegates per classroom session, and 6 for the trackside visit.

These accredited courses must take place both in the classroom and by the track, and will be followed by the assessment; the practical trackside visit is mandatory and occurs on the second day. For the track visit, candidates must wear appropriate work clothes and safety footwear as part of their personal protective equipment; note, however, that this may not be supplied on the course site, and candidates may be required to bring their own equipment.

Objectives and requirements

PTS training aims to instruct rail staff working on or near the line on their duties and responsibilities, and thus ensure their safety. That is why course candidates will learn how to understand correctly the Personal Track Safety Handbook or Rule Book GE/RT 8000 Series, and will be able to implement a Safe System of Work.

In order to be able to attend the course and then be employed in the rail industry, candidates must be physically fit and not use drugs and alcohol. Thus, all medical requirements are detailed in the most recent issue of Network Rail Specification Competence and Training in Personal Track Safety, while the drugs screen requirements can be read in the Drugs and Alcohol issue.