The National Transport Commission (NTC) is seeking public comment to assist with a review of transport medical standards for drivers and rail safety workers.

NTC Senior Manager Safety Dr Jeff Potter invited all interested stakeholders to contribute to the review.

“Our goal is to ensure the standards reflect medical best practice and continue to meet the practical needs of drivers, rail safety workers, health professionals, driver licensing authorities and rail operators,” he said.

NTC is reviewing the medical standards contained in:

• Assessing Fitness to Drive – Commercial and Private Vehicle Drivers (Sept. 2003); and
•  the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (June 2004).

Dr Potter said the review would focus on the medical content rather than the administrative aspects of the guidelines.

“Driver licensing authorities and rail operators need to be assured that the decisions they make concerning a driver’s or rail safety worker’s fitness are based on the most up-to-date knowledge of the effects medical conditions have on safety,” he explained.

The issues paper is now available for download HERE. 

Written submissions are invited by COB Friday 14 August, using the template provided in the issues paper to:

The Project Manager

Review of Transport Medical Standards

15/628 Bourke Street, MELBOURNE VIC 3000.

Enquiries to the project manager on (03) 9236 5000 or to ntc@ntc.gov.au