COSS
Encyclopedia
Controller of site safety or COSS is a person qualified with Network Rail
to ensure safe practice for work occurring on or near rail infrastructure. Their role is to set up a safe system of work which looks after the interests of a group of people who need to go on or near the line. There are two categories of Zones that a COSS can set up, a "Green Zone" or a "Red Zone".
Green zone working means all or some lines are blocked to train
movements, or work is being carried out behind a fence or more than 2 Meters from the nearest running rail. This is the safest way of working, although many incidents still happen within Green Zones.
Red Zone which means the lines are open to train movements, this is seen as unsafe and is supposed to be very much avoided in the rail industry, and only worked when green zone circumstances are unavailable.
The COSS is responsible for the safety
of the entire group and is subject to prosecution should someone be killed or injured by their negligence
.
To become a COSS someone must have served a suitable period of time on the railways and undertake a 5 day course. This is then followed by a period of mentoring by someone experienced as a COSS and then numerous assessments to ensure that the subject is competent
to undertake their role safely and effectively.
A COSS is distinguishable on site by wearing a blue armlet with white lettering on with the word COSS.
Previously, the COSS was known as the Person In Charge Of Work, or PICOW.
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
to ensure safe practice for work occurring on or near rail infrastructure. Their role is to set up a safe system of work which looks after the interests of a group of people who need to go on or near the line. There are two categories of Zones that a COSS can set up, a "Green Zone" or a "Red Zone".
Green zone working means all or some lines are blocked to train
Train
A train is a connected series of vehicles for rail transport that move along a track to transport cargo or passengers from one place to another place. The track usually consists of two rails, but might also be a monorail or maglev guideway.Propulsion for the train is provided by a separate...
movements, or work is being carried out behind a fence or more than 2 Meters from the nearest running rail. This is the safest way of working, although many incidents still happen within Green Zones.
Red Zone which means the lines are open to train movements, this is seen as unsafe and is supposed to be very much avoided in the rail industry, and only worked when green zone circumstances are unavailable.
The COSS is responsible for the safety
Safety
Safety is the state of being "safe" , the condition of being protected against physical, social, spiritual, financial, political, emotional, occupational, psychological, educational or other types or consequences of failure, damage, error, accidents, harm or any other event which could be...
of the entire group and is subject to prosecution should someone be killed or injured by their negligence
Negligence
Negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in like circumstances. The area of tort law known as negligence involves harm caused by carelessness, not intentional harm.According to Jay M...
.
To become a COSS someone must have served a suitable period of time on the railways and undertake a 5 day course. This is then followed by a period of mentoring by someone experienced as a COSS and then numerous assessments to ensure that the subject is competent
Skill
A skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy, or both. Skills can often be divided into domain-general and domain-specific skills...
to undertake their role safely and effectively.
A COSS is distinguishable on site by wearing a blue armlet with white lettering on with the word COSS.
Previously, the COSS was known as the Person In Charge Of Work, or PICOW.