Becoming a COSS

[MistaMatthews]

I recently done my PTS, Track Induction, First Aid, Manual Handling etc, and have been working on track for about a month having just got my white hat...

One of the people on my course who has also recently got a white hat has already booked himself onto a COSS course?

Is this not too soon? Are there not minimum requirements when it comes to the COSS ticket? I would have imagined a bit more experience would be needed?

 

[Tom Quinne]

I think it depends on you personally, are you mentally strong to basically lay down the law to a group of blokes often with many years on the job more than you.

As you’ll know their life, and your liberty is in your hands.

 

[alxndr]

As far as I can recall there isn't a fixed timescale anymore, although I vaguely remember something about preferring people to have six months experience. I believe its similar to blue/white hats, and I'd be inclined to think a month is a little too soon to be ditching the blue hat!

I would be concerned that someone that new wouldn't have experienced enough of the different scenarios and situations which can occur to be able to react to them, or stand their ground to a difficult and more experienced person with enough confidence and certainty. Have they worked under all different types of protection and understand them thoroughly? They may be fine day to day, but what about when it all goes wrong? That's when you really need to call on knowledge and experience. I was offered an ES course very shortly after finishing COSS mentorship but turned it down for that very reason.

It's not a race to get the most tickets. I know the temptation is there for contractors as it opens up more opportunities for work, but it's not worth it if you aren't ready. The last thing you want to be is someone known for having tickets but not knowing what to do with them.

 

[warrior33]

MOM courses regularly have people do PTS week one, COSS week two. As COSS is required for child competencies. Some of those undertaking a MOM course may have never been on the railway before.

 

[Dan17H]

Hiya,

First post so bear with me,

There is no minimum timescale, and there are agencies and training companies out there who will take money and put anyone through a course regardless of track experience.

The thing I found is that I've had coss's on my worksites when I'm out who have extremely basic knowledge of the railway, and are only used to working in T3s, as that's the only work they get offered. Ask them to go out Open Line and they'd haven't a clue.

In my firm you'd get laughed at if you asked to do a COSS course before your first PTS recert.

But like others have said experience doesn't mean someone is safe, I've equally had issues with long time ex BR staff who think they know better.

 

[BrianW]

Agreed. You may find it useful to read the recently published report on the deaths of two track workers at Margam. There's a lot in it about experienced workers and 'culture'. Very pertinent, and tragic.

Report 11/2020: Track workers struck by a train at Margam

I think it depends on you personally, are you mentally strong to basically lay down the law to a group of blokes often with many years on the job more than you.

As you’ll know their life, and your liberty is in your hands.

 

[MistaMatthews]

Hiya,

First post so bear with me,

There is no minimum timescale, and there are agencies and training companies out there who will take money and put anyone through a course regardless of track experience.

The thing I found is that I've had coss's on my worksites when I'm out who have extremely basic knowledge of the railway, and are only used to working in T3s, as that's the only work they get offered. Ask them to go out Open Line and they'd haven't a clue.

In my firm you'd get laughed at if you asked to do a COSS course before your first PTS recert.

But like others have said experience doesn't mean someone is safe, I've equally had issues with long time ex BR staff who think they know better.

This is one of the things I was worried about. Got my white hat by just doing possession support. Happy doing that work but zero experience of working on open lines.

Work is limited so the COSS course becomes tempting...

 

[Dan17H]

This is one of the things I was worried about. Got my white hat by just doing possession support. Happy doing that work but zero experience of working on open lines.

Work is limited so the COSS course becomes tempting...

Have you got your Track Induction Ticket?

 

[MistaMatthews]

Have you got your Track Induction Ticket?

Yes. AC, DC & OLEC1 also. Going for lookout next month in the hope that I can get more work.

 

[Dan17H]

Yes. AC, DC & OLEC1 also. Going for lookout next month in the hope that I can get more work.

Try and get on with an agency that are doing NWR renewals/maintenance.

That's how I started out.

 

[Stigy]

MOM courses regularly have people do PTS week one, COSS week two. As COSS is required for child competencies. Some of those undertaking a MOM course may have never been on the railway before.

Agreed, but there’s comparatively, MOMs are trained in a lot more rules and regulations than a lot of contractors. I don’t think you necessarily need to be massively strong and forceful, but you need to understand the rules and be able to assert yourself.

 

[Dan17H]

Agreed, but there’s comparatively, MOMs are trained in a lot more rules and regulations than a lot of contractors. I don’t think you necessarily need to be massively strong and forceful, but you need to understand the rules and be able to assert yourself.

As somone who works with MOMs on site regulary I'd say they need to be more forceful and challange stuff. Some are great, with a great deal of experience, but some are useless.