Personal Track Safety

Module 2
Safety Briefings

Topic 1

Understanding the safety briefing

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Safety briefing first
We are passionate about safety. Before an employee or
contractor goes on or near the line, they need to be fully
briefed about the Safe System of Work.

What is a safety briefing?

The aim of safety briefings is to explain the work arrangements
and to point out and assess safety risks. Each briefing should
explain:

• The Controller of Site Safety (COSS)

• The access points
• The route to be taken to the site of work
• The nature of the work
• The work to be carried out and the duration
• The limits of the site of work
• Lines, that are blocked and which are open to traffic
• Line speeds, that apply
• The direction of traffic (where the trains are coming from)
• The positions of safety
• Identified hazards
• The Safe System of Work for this task

What is the Safe System of Work

for the task?
A Safe System of Work is a way of working that is put in place
to make sure that passing trains or movements of trains do
not endanger people who are working on or near the line.
These arrangements include guidance about:

• Safety fences – you should not pass beyond them, lean on

them or place tools on them
• Site wardens (if used) – who they are and the limits of the
safe area
• Any equipment warnings – methods used and the
position of safety, Train Operated Warning Systems
(TOWS), Automatic Track Warning System (ATWS) etc.
• Lookouts (if used) – who they are, method of warning,
action to take and position of safety
• Any places of limited clearance, no refuge sections,
curvature of the line (bends) or no safe access while trains
are running
Safe System of Work is explained in detail in the Safe Work Pack.

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Safety briefing first
Who conducts safety briefings?
Safety briefings are given by the COSS.

Where and when do safety briefings

take place?
Safety briefings take place in a position of safety, before
accessing the line.

What do I need to do at the end of

the briefing?
You need to confirm that you understand the Safe System of
Work by signing the Safe Work Briefing form. The COSS would
also check the team’s understanding by asking questions
about the briefing.

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A good safety briefing
What does a good safety briefing look like?

Write your answers in the box below, then check your answers
against those on the next page.

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A good safety briefing
A good safety meeting will start with the COSS introducing
all important members of the team. They will also outline
emergency procedures that will also be available in the Safe
Work Pack.

In a good safety briefing, your COSS should use clear and

concise language that all team members can follow. If they
use any acronyms or jargon that you do not understand, be
sure to question it.

You should feel confident to ask questions, for confirmation or

clarification. You don’t know what you don’t know, so be sure
to ask about any unknown terminology or procedure, or ask
for clarification and confirmation whenever you’re unsure.

Your COSS should be able to give as much important detail as

possible in their brief and to answer any questions raised.

In a good safety briefing, your COSS will make sure to

personally check Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) before
any work is carried out.

At the end of any good safety briefing, the COSS should

confirm that the entire team have understood and retained
the key details of the brief and to any questions answered.

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Check your understanding
Safety briefings are not just a formality – lives can depend on
knowing where to go and what to look out for. That’s why it’s
important to ask yourself these essential questions to check
that you know how to perform the task safely.

Do you know what you need to do

and where?
Your team members are relying on you so it’s important that
you understand the terminology used to describe the location
and your role.

Do you understand how the

traffic is moving on the tracks?
Trains are the biggest hazards when working on or near the
line. During the safety briefing, you will be given an overview
of line speeds and the expected direction of the trains.

Are you aware of the possible

hazards on site?
Each site is different. The safety briefing will give you an
overview of any hazards that are particular to the specific site
that you must look out for.

Do you know what protective

equipment you need to wear?
During the safety briefing, the COSS will check that you are
wearing the correct Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
for the task and that it is in a serviceable condition.

Do you know where

the place of safety is?
It’s important that you understand where the position
of safety is located. If it’s not clear from the description,
always ask.

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Attending a briefing

Safety briefings can be very different depending on the task and the team.

They are required to introduce the task and the team, describe the PPE required, give line information
and the position of safety. It’s important that you understand where the position of safety is located. If
it’s not clear from the description, always ask.

A briefing may also highlight any hazards on site and define how you will work with the team.

A COSS should always make time at the end of any briefing to check your understanding, and allow you
to ask any questions about the work ahead.

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Safety is your Responsibility

Whether you’re a member of the team or a COSS, it’s your duty to ensure safety on the work site. The
safety briefing is our opportunity to share crucial information about safe working procedures and the
way we work, so we need to make sure that we cover everything that’s needed to guarantee everyone’s
safety.

A safety briefing is not just about ticking a box, this information has the ability to save lives.

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Personal Track Safety
Module 2
Safety Briefings

Topic 2

Responding to the safety briefing

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Safety is your Responsibility

When we’re working on or near the line, we need to ensure that everyone understands how to keep
themselves and their colleagues safe.

We hold safety briefings before each task so that everyone’s aware of the risks and ways of working.

These briefings are not speeches where the instructors say information and everyone else just nods
along with it.

Safety briefings are a conversation where both sides contribute.

Think of it as an opportunity to ask questions about the site and task at hand.

Didn’t understand some of the words or abbreviations they used? Not sure about where exactly the
position of safety is? Need to be clear about when you need to do something?

Now is your time to ask. The person giving the safety briefing doesn’t know what you don’t know, so it’s
your responsibility to let them know.

Take this time to clarify – sometimes a few simple questions are all it takes to avoid accidents and save
lives.

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At a safety briefing

Not all safety briefings are created equal. Always pay attention to the information you’re given and think
of what you would do if you were part of the team being briefed.

Do you know who your COSS is? Do you know the Site Warden and First Aider? If an emergency
happens, would you know where the nearest hospital is?

Consider the terminology being used; do you understand what it means, especially in context to the
work being carried out?

Do you know the procedures being carried out and what’s involved?

Are you wearing the correct PPE? Does the COSS know this?
Importantly, does the safety briefing leader get the team to confirm their understanding?

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Have a go
Listening to a Safety Briefing, ask yourself: do you understand
all the terms they used? You might think that it’s irrelevant
but it might be something crucial.

If you don’t understand, what should you do?

Use the box below to write your answer, then check your
answer on the next page

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Have a go
Listening to a Safety Briefing, ask yourself: do you understand
all the terms they used? You might think that it’s irrelevant
but it might be something crucial.

If you don’t understand, what should you do?

Ask!
If there’s anything that you’re not sure about, ask the
instructor straight away so that you know exactly what is
needed to be safe.

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Clarifying questions

Not sure about how to ask these questions? Here are some
examples that can help you get the information you need.

What do you mean by bi-directional

travel?

If you hear a phrase you don’t know, always clarify as it

might be something crucial to your safety.

Where is the position of safety from here?

It’s sometimes hard to imagine where the position of safety

is, so it’s a good idea to check that you know where they’re
referring to.

How will I know what a warning is?

Warnings can be delivered in different ways so if you’re not

sure, always ask.

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Clarifying questions

Is it safe to stand at the edge of the

sleeper?

No. If you were standing at the edge of the sleeper, you

would be too close to the side of any passing trains.

What is a blocked line?

A blocked line means that there is no train expected on

that line. Knowing more about how the lines work helps to
understand the danger they pose.

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It’s always better to ask

The safety briefing is a safe and open environment where you can ask any questions you might have.

It’s your responsibility to ensure your own safety on a site, so be sure you fully understand the briefing.
If you don’t understand, it could lead to loss of life or life-changing injuries. When in doubt, always ask
– a term you don’t know or a process you didn’t quite get might prove critical later on.

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Personal Track Safety
Module 2
Safety Briefings

Topic 3

Supporting you

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Summing up

We hold safety briefings to ensure that everyone on the site works effectively and safely. Whenever you
attend a safety briefing, think of these questions to guarantee that you’ve understood everything.

Did the safety briefing cover everything you need to

work safely?
• Do you know what you need to do, and where and when to do it?
• Have you understood where the position of safety is?
• Have you got an overview of any hazards on site?

You need this information to work safely and it’s your responsibility to ask if you feel like you weren’t
given enough information.

Did you understand everything that was said at the

safety briefing?
Safety briefings should be a two-way conversation where questions are asked and information is shared.
If something is left unclear or you don’t understand the terminology they use, it’s up to you to ask
clarifying questions.

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Summing up

What can you do to make the safety briefing more

effective?
Ask questions! Is there something that doesn’t feel quite right about the process? It’s your responsibility to
ensure that these issues are clarified and solved before you start work. We’re committed to safety and you
should be too.

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Taking it further

Do you want to know more? There’s a lot of valuable information about safety briefings out there that
help you make your place of work safer.

If you’ve got any questions about safety briefings, you can visit the Behavioural Safety section at Safety
Central.

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