Course Details

WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Anyone aged 18 or over that already holds a valid COSS certificate and is now required to establish safe and effective systems of protection for more than one group of persons carrying out engineering works. Railway Group Standard GO/RT 3358 (Persons Responsible for Protecting Work On or Near the Line) requires employers to select delegates for this role based on documented processes to assess aptitude and prior experience. The Network Rail Approved Training Plan for PC specifies that delegates must provide documentary evidence of having carried out a minimum of 6 COSS duties in the previous 6 months.

OBJECTIVES
On successful completion of the course the delegate will have the knowledge required to carry out the duties of a Protection Controller as set out in Section T (ii) of the Rule Book and competence requirements of GO/RT 3358 Appendix C.

CONTENT
•  Procedure for blocking the line and arranging protection
•  Starting work, during work, change of PC/COSS
•  When work is completed or suspended
•  When work is not completed or suspended at an agreed time, resumption of work

LEARNING APPROACH
A classroom based event with trainer led sessions, group and individual exercises together with a detailed case study. A theory assessment is included.

FEATURES
On successful completion of this event an application will be sent to NCCA for a competence certificate valid for 2 years. The certificate will be registered on the NCCA database as provisional and the delegate will not be permitted to undertake PC duties alone until the appropriate assessments have been carried out as explained below.

•  Delegate must undertake the duties of a PC with a mentor on one or more occasions. This should be documented and counts as the first assessment. The line manager may then authorise the delegate to undertake PC duties alone
•  An independent workplace assessment (2nd) must be carried out within 3 months of the initial training. NCCA must be notified of the result and will change the database records to record full competence if successful.

After the initial 2 year period, each delegate must be assessed twice every 2 years to maintain their competence certification.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
•  A valid medical certificate that complies with Railway Group Standard GO/RT 3353 including normal colour vision
•  Evidence of a negative drugs and alcohol screening in accordance with Railway Group Standard GH/RT 4000
•  A valid PTS certificate and COSS certificate must be presented to the trainer at the start of each event
•  A Personal Rule Book must be brought to the event by each delegate
•  NCCA site ID and address of sponsoring organisation will be required when booking the event
•  A colour passport photograph must be supplied if a temporary certificate is required