Our Courses

Who is this for?

Anyone who is required to work "on or near the line" (within 3m of the nearest rail normally or 1.25m of a station platform edge) is required to be qualified in PTS. This includes lines that are either not electrified or have Overhead Line Electrification (OLE). Lines electrified by DC Conductor Rails (commonly referred to as either 3rd or 4th rails) also require PTS DCCR training.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Lifesaving Rules
• Know how to deal with emergency situations
• Communicate effectively
• Understand the pre-work briefing and work safely as instructed
• Identify the areas of the track and features such as signage, electrification or telephones
• Cross the track safely

What do you need to attend this course?

• You must have a valid sponsor who will complete the booking form set up your e-learning.
• An approved medical and alcohol/drugs test.
• You must have successfully completed the on-line PTS e-learning module.
• A form of valid photo ID – passport, driving licence, sentinel card.

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your Sentinel Track Safety card takes approximately 1 week to arrive and will be ordered and received by your sponsor.
• Workers in learning support are required to wear a blue safety helmet (hard hat).

Who is this for?

Anyone who is required to work in area electrified by DC Conductor Rails (commonly referred to as either 3rd or 4th rails) must also undergo PTS DCCR training, even if the rails are isolated at the time. Examples of such areas are Merseyrail in Liverpool, Watford to London and the South East.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Lifesaving Rules that apply to DCCR.
• Know how to deal with emergency situations.
• Understand the principle of the DC electrified system.
• Understand the pre-work briefing and work safely as instructed.
• Identify the conductor rail components on the track.
• Cross the track safely.
• Be able to identify insulated tools and how to inspect them before use.
• Identify hazards that could be present in isolations.
• Understand the three risk levels when working on or near to conductor rails.
• Be able to inspect, fit and remove conductor rail shields.

What do you need to attend this course?

• You must have a valid sponsor who will complete the booking form.
• A valid medical and alcohol/drugs test.
• You must have successfully completed the PTS AC course.
• A valid form of photo id – valid passport, driving licence, sentinel card.

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your Sentinel Track Safety card will be updated to include PTS DCCR.

Who is this for?

Those who will carry out the duties of a COSS, set up Safe Systems of Work for a group whilst on or near the line.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Lifesaving Rules.
• Know the roles and responsibilities of a COSS.
• Be able to check the competencies track safety cards via Sentinel.
• Understand the importance of and demonstrate a good COSS briefing.
• Identify their location and access information about the site.
• State, understand and demonstrate the Safe System of Work planning process.
• Correctly appoint Lookouts/Site Wardens.
• Demonstrate use of the sighting distance chart and how this can be attained.
• Understand and demonstrate a good level of both written and verbal communications.
• Understand the process and demonstrate ability to take and hand back line blockages.
• Understand and state the process when working within a possession.
• Understand and state the process for working in a siding.
• How to manage an incident and the role of the RIO.
• Understand the LCV process and how to complete a VMF.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Must hold the required medical level.
• PTS must be held and is renewed as part of the course so the minimum logbook requirement must be met.
• Have a good level of literacy.
• The COSS pre course workbook must be completed within 4 weeks of the course start date.

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your track safety card will be updated to include both the PTS recertification and (Probationary) COSS.
• You must complete the mentoring requirements and pass a workplace assessment within 4 months.
• You must be accompanied at all times by a full COSS holder until this is completed.
• An interim assessment (between 9 and 15 months after the post-mentoring assessment) must also be completed.

Who is this for?

Those wishing to undertake the role of a Site Warden.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Lifesaving Rules.
• Know the roles and responsibilities of a Site Warden in Safe Systems of Work.
• Identify the equipment required by a Site Warden.
• Demonstrate the methods of warning and how to acknowledge.
• State factors that can affect concentration.
• State conditions that can affect the ability to give sufficient warning.

What do you need to attend this course?

• You must have a valid sponsor who will complete the booking form.
• Hold the appropriate medical level and have a valid alcohol/drugs test.
• You must hold a current PTS AC competence.
• Provide a form of valid photo ID

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your Sentinel Track Safety card will be updated to include SW
• You must complete the Lookout e-learning assessment and the lookout workbook with your sponsor to remove the Probationary status.

Initial Course

Who is this for?

The ES Competency is required to be held by anyone who is required to set up and manage a worksite within and engineering possession on rail infrastructure under the direction of a Person in Charge of a Possession (PICOP). This included the management of on and off-tracking On Track Plant (OTP) train Movement with the designated worksite.

Learning Objectives

• Know the role and responsibilities of a ES.
• Understand the process and demonstrate the ability to set up and take charge of a worksite in an Engineers Possession.
• Understand the procedure for dealing possession overruns and suspended and hand back worksite.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Must hold the required medical level.
• Full COSS or IWA competence must be held
• Have a good level of literacy.
• Provide valid photo ID
• Have a primary sponsor
• Have a valid D&A

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your track safety card will be updated to include ES Probation (ES).
• You must complete the ES Post Mentoring assessment with four months of passing you ES.

Recert Course

Learning Objectives

• Know the role and responsibilities of a ES
• Understand the process and demonstrate the ability to set up and take charge of a worksite in an Engineers Possession
• Understand the procedure for dealing possession overruns and suspended and hand back worksite

What do you need to attend this course?

• Full COSS or IWA competence must be held
• Must have successfully completed the Interim work place assessment
• Procedure evidence of at least four work experience entries

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your track safety card will be updated to include ES Probation (ES)

Who is this for?

The Protection Controller course (PC) enables current Sentinel Tack Safety cardholders, endorsed with full COSS to perform Protection Controller duties on the Network Rail Managed Infrastructure. The duties of a PC include taking a line blockage when more than one workgroup require protection between the same protecting signals.

Learning Objectives

• Know the role and responsibilities of a PC.
• Understand the process and demonstrate ability to take and hand back line blockages.
• Understand the procedure for authorising work to start.
• Be able to effectively brief those sharing the protection.
• Understand the procedure when PC/COSS/IWA are relieved of duty.
• Understand the process when the line blockage is not handed back on time.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Must hold the required medical level.
• Full COSS competence must be held
• Have a good level of literacy.
• Provide valid photo ID
• Have a primary sponsor
• Have a valid D&A

Who is this for?

Those who need to work alone on or near the line.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Lifesaving Rules.
• Know the roles and responsibilities of an IWA.
• Identify their location and access information about the site.
• State, understand and demonstrate the Safe System of Work planning process.
• Demonstrate use of the sighting distance chart and how this can be attained.
• Understand and demonstrate a good level of both written and verbal communications.
• Understand the process and demonstrate ability to take and hand back line blockages.
• Understand and state the process when working within a possession.
• Understand and state the process for working in a sidings.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Must hold the required medical level.
• PTS must be held and is renewed as part of the course so the minimum log book requirement must be met.
• Have a good level of literacy.

What happens after I pass the course?

• Your track safety card will be updated to include both the PTS recertification and IWA.
• You must complete the minimum log requirements before your initial workplace assessment.

Who is this for?

The aim of this course is to provide the basic knowledge required under OLEC 1 to access OLE construction sites safely and effectively for those who are directly or indirectly involved with OLE construction activities. This course is intended for candidates whose work involves accessing OLE Construction sites. The Access OLE Construction Sites (OLEC 1) competency last for 50 years. Please be advised that you do not need to hold PTS to attend the training but you must hold it to use the competency on site.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Must have Primary Sponsor approval before booking.
• Meet the medical requirements of Network Rail Standard NR/L2/OHS/00124 Competence Specific Fitness Medical Requirements
• Meet the requirements of Network Rail Standard NR/L2/OHS/00120 (Drugs & Alcohol).
• Must have sufficient command of English language, and of the English language as detailed in Network Rail Company Specification NR/S/CTM/021 (Competence & Training in Track Safety)
• Sponsored by a RISQS approved railway company/supplier.
• Must have a mandatory 12 twelve (12) hour rest period before the course as per the rules on Working Time Regulations (1998) and Network Rail Standards NR/L2/OHS/003.

Who is this for?

This course is designed to train persons who are new to track and whose works may involve the maintenance, inspection or renewal of the track or other duties that may affect the stability, position or integrity of the track infrastructure. It is designed to develop a person's knowledge, understanding and skills as defined in the competence standards listed below and is therefore particularly suited to persons required to prove their competence in these areas:

Learning Objectives

• TR1 Maintain Permanent Way Assets
• TR2 Maintain 'Off Track' Assets.
• Key Aim: To provide the basic underpinning knowledge of permanent way construction, components and working methods associated with maintenance, renewal, repair, adjustment and dismantling of permanent way assets.

What do you need to attend this course?

• Before attending this training, a person must be proven medically fit in accordance with NR/L2/CTM/021 Competence & Training in Track Safety. They should also have successfully completed the following training:
• Company Induction Module
• Personal Track Safety
• Manual Handling
• Emergency First Aid