| |
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers
Updated 20 May 2009
The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (the Standard) allows rail operators to monitor the health of rail safety workers, to prevent or minimise work-related deaths and injury caused by medical conditions.
What is the National Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers?
The Standard underpins a system for monitoring the health of rail safety workers and enables consistent application of health standards across the Australian rail industry. All health assessments for rail safety workers are conducted in line with this Standard.
During the development of the Standard, the National Transport Commission (NTC) conducted extensive consultation with industry, rail unions, rail safety regulators and health professionals to ensure that it reflects advances in medical knowledge, recent changes in rail operating environments and developments in privacy and anti-discrimination laws. It comprises two volumes.
Volume 1 provides accredited rail organisations with practical guidance for implementing systems to monitor rail safety worker health and fitness.
Volume 2 is intended for use by examining health professionals and outlines procedures for conducting assessments as well as medical criteria for judging fitness for rail safety duty.
The Standard was developed by the NTC and is approved by all Australian transport Ministers.
Why are medical standards important?
The Standard contributes to the aim of making the national rail system safety for everyone, by helping rail workers maintain sound health and fitness.
Who uses the National Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers?
Rail operators are required to demonstrate that they monitor the health of their workforce (often called ‘fitness for duty’). By doing this, operators can ensure that the health of staff members will not pose a risk to the safe running of the rail operation. Volume 1 of the Standard is intended for use rail operators.
Rail operators accredit doctors and other medical professionals to undertake medical testing. Volume 2 of the Standard is intended to assist these medical professionals when conducting medical tests.
Enquiries
If you have any queries relating to the use of the Standard in your area, please contact your State or Territory transport safety regulator.
Doctors are accredited to perform medical examinations by individual rail operators. If you have queries about becoming an accredited medical practitioner please contact the relevant rail operator.
Review
The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers is currently under review. For more information about the review project, please visit Review of Transport Medical Standards
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |