COSS - Controller Of Site Safety

Initial Course: 5 days
Recert Course: 3 days
Valid for: 2 Years
Assessment required: Yes

Who needs it?

Staff who are required to set up a safe system of work for the protection of a group of two or more persons before they are allowed to go 'on or near the line'.

What do you learn?

The responsibilities of the COSS, using the SSOWP process to plan safe systems of work in both openline and line blockage, arranging for movements to be stopped, working alone, site security, how to complete relevant documentation and briefing a work group. Candidates will also undergo a PTS assessment. Successful candidates will be issued with a COSS logbook for recording COSS duties worked, which must keep up to date.

On successful completion of the initial course, the candidate will be issued with a Sentinel card endorsed with (P)COSS. This means the competence is provisional, and the candidate will not be able to undertake full COSS duties alone until they have undergone the mentoring
process, and a further workplace assessment.

What do you do?

The role of the COSS in simplified terms is to ensure that the work group under their instruction are not put in danger by trains. This is done by setting up a safe system of work, briefing the group on these arrangements, and making sure they are followed.

What do you need?

To be able to attend a COSS course you will need:

• A valid PTS track safety card
• A valid medical certificate to Railway
  Group Standards GH/RT8067
• A negative Alcohol & Drugs
  screening to GH/RT8070
• GE/RT8000 Rule Book
• National Insurance number