Updated medical standards for rail workers

Australia’s transport and infrastructure ministers have unanimously approved updated rail safety worker medical standards, to come into effect in January 2013.

Under national law, rail transport operators must have a health and fitness program that complies with the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers.

National Transport Commission (NTC) Chief Executive Nick Dimopoulos said the standards have been reviewed and updated to ensure they reflect current medical best practice and the practical needs of rail operators and rail safety workers.

“The new standards focus on how symptoms impact on a person’s ability to work safely, rather than just a diagnosis of their condition. This will allow for a more relevant and informed assessment of a worker’s ability to do their job safely,” said Dimopoulos.

The NTC conducted the review in consultation with medical and other health professionals, consumer health organisations, governments, rail operators, unions and peak industry bodies.

Dimopoulos added that the updated standard has been consolidated into one volume, so it is now clearer and more concise.

“We’ve restructured the standard so the content flows logically - from safety risk assessments to the application of relevant health standards,” he said.

The standard provides practical guidance for rail transport operators to meet their obligations under law, as well as medical criteria used by authorised health professionals who are appointed by operators to perform health assessments.

The National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers and accompanying information kit, including frequently asked questions and summary of the changes, are available to download from the NTC website.

The updated standard will come into effect on 20 January 2013, in line with the National Rail Safety Law to underpin the National Rail Safety Regulator.