Course Title

1. Introduction to Personal Track Safety

• Defining personal track safety and its role in protecting trackside workers

• Applicable standards and reference frameworks including (RSSB Rule Book and OSHA 29 CFR 1926 trackside application)

• Individual roles and responsibilities including (worker, lookout, and possession controller duties)

• Overview of track-related incidents and their primary causes including (failure to clear the track in time and inadequate lookout warning)

2. Track Environment and Hazard Awareness

• Identifying track infrastructure components including (rails, sleepers, ballast, and signals)

• Recognizing trackside hazards including (uneven ballast, overhead line equipment, and adjacent line movements)

• Understanding train stopping distances and why early awareness is critical

• Recognizing environmental hazards affecting visibility including (darkness, fog, and glare)

3. Safe Access and Egress Procedures

• Identifying designated access and egress points for the track environment

• Applying safe crossing procedures including (look, listen, and confirm clear before crossing)

• Maintaining safe clearance distances from the running line during work

• Recognizing and using places of safety when trains approach

4. Lookout and Warning Systems

• Understanding the lookout's role and responsibilities during track work

• Applying warning signal protocols including (audible and visual warning devices)

• Positioning lookouts to provide adequate warning time

• Responding immediately to lookout warnings by moving to a place of safety

5. Possession and Work Authorization Procedures

• Understanding track possession and its role in controlling safe access

• Verifying possession status before commencing trackside work

• Coordinating with the possession controller during work activities

• Recognizing when possession status changes affect ongoing work

6. Emergency Procedures and Incident Response

• Recognizing signs of an approaching train outside expected movements

• Immediate response actions including (moving to a place of safety without hesitation)

• Reporting near-misses and track safety concerns

• Post-incident actions including (reporting and investigation participation)

7. Group Discussion and Case Studies

• Case studies from regional track safety incidents including (near-misses from delayed clearance and lookout communication failures) and lessons learned in prevention

• Group discussion on common track safety lapses including (complacency on possessed track and inadequate lookout positioning)

• Sharing regional best practices including (heat-related fatigue considerations and multi-crew coordination)

• Discussion on individual responsibility in sustaining a disciplined track safety culture