Traffic Operation and Management 1

2 Changes to Medical Standards for Safety Critical Staff Dr David Shackleton RSSB Medical Standards Adviser

Traffic Operation and Management 3 Introduction Origin of medical fitness standards How mfs have evolved Current influences –DDA, SfSM, EU Issues Questions

Traffic Operation and Management 4 History BR Group Standards Railtrack RSSB Individual Duty Holder

Traffic Operation and Management 5 Ideal MFS Job or task specific Justified by the H+S requirements Enable compliance and interoperability Apply simply, consistently, economically Balance prescriptive vs non-prescriptive

Traffic Operation and Management 6 MFS format Competency of medical assessor Frequency / age Vision / colour vision Hearing General health Discretion clause / safe system of work Assessment after illness/injury/event

Traffic Operation and Management 7 Strategy for Standards Management Approved October 2005 Convergence with EU standards Mandatory = control of interface risks No change in overall safety

Traffic Operation and Management 8 Strategy for Standards Management Effect on MFS Complete withdrawal Partial withdrawal No more “whole of job” MFS from RSSB A few “partial” MFS to remain

Traffic Operation and Management 9 Disability - DDA 1995 Cannot treat DP less favourably unless justified “Direct” or “indirect” discrimination Need for individual assessment Lawful if complying with statutory requirement Prescriptive MFS still possible?

Traffic Operation and Management 10 Europe TSI’s Driver licensing Common format MFS Cross border / interoperability Universal in the long term

Traffic Operation and Management 11 Safety Critical Workers Drivers Conductors Shunters Signallers +CK OTM Drivers Track Workers (PTS)

Traffic Operation and Management 12 Changes to UK rail medical fitness standards 1993 – July 2008 GO/OTC102(1) Oct92 Medical Fitness Drivers GO/RT3251(1) Sep 94 Train Driving GO/RT3251(2) Oct 98 Train Driving GO/RT3251(3) Dec 99 Train Driving GO/RT3251(4) Oct 02 Train Driving GO/RT3251(5) ~Jun08 Train Driving GO/RT3451(1) ~Jun08 Train Movement.. GO/OTC302(1) Jan 93 Medical Fitness Conductors GO/RT3255(1) Nov 95 Train Working GO/RT3255(2) Oct 00 Train Working GO/RT3451(1) ~Jun08 Train Movement.. GO/OTC202(1) Jan 94 Medical Fitness OTM Drivers GM/RT1403(1) Aug 98 Use of Plant and Work Equip Withdrawn Jul 07 Briefing note 019 RIS PLT(1) Apr 07 Safe Use of Plant GO/RT3259(1) Feb 96 Signallers and Crossing Keepers GO/RT3259(2) Jun 01 Signallers and Crossing Keepers Withdrawn Feb 06 (possible future NR document) GH/TZ0005(1) Mar 93 Medical Fitness PTS GO/RT3353(1) Apr 95 PTS GO/RT3353(2) Feb 98 PTS GE/RT8067(1) Oct 02 PTS Withdrawn Feb 07 Briefing note 035 *(NR/SP/CTM/ 021) GE/GN8511(1) Oct 07 Guidance …. on Track Safety GH/ZT0004(1) Jan 93 Drugs and Alcohol GH/RT4000(1) Aug 96 Drugs and Alcohol GE/RT8070(1) Oct 03 Drugs and Alcohol GE/RT8070(2) ~Jun 09 Drugs and Alcohol

Traffic Operation and Management 13 New standard and RACOP

Traffic Operation and Management 14 Issues Loss of “whole of job” standards Changes to mandatory audiometric hearing standard Ongoing need for MFS Fragmentation and change within rail OH Need for more detailed medical guidance

Traffic Operation and Management 15 Summary Key turning point for MFS EU driving change SfSM and DDA having significant impact

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