In Australia, rail safety workers must undergo medical examinations under the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers. The exercise ensures that workers go about their daily duties without fear of injury or harm. It also works to detect and manage health conditions that may affect rail workers’ output and productivity.
The Rail Safety Workers Medical Assessment is part of the Transport (Rail Safety) Act 2010 that necessitates health and fitness management programmes by transport operators. This article sheds light based on Australia’s Rail Safety Worker Assessment and its importance to the rail worker.
Who is a Rail Safety Worker?
A rail safety worker is a technician tasked with operating trains and other related machinery. They are also responsible for infrastructure construction and maintenance and play a massive role in keeping rail yards safe.
Different types of rail safety workers collectively work to ensure a safe working environment. They include:
- Employee-in-Charge (EIC)
An employee-in-charge acts like a supervisor or manager tasked with overseeing all safety workers’ general safety and well-being. They work to delegate roles to fellow safety workers, ensuring that each person knows their place in a workgroup.
- Flagman
Flagmen oversee the movement of trains and other machinery in the work yard. They ensure that equipment is handled with care, striving to prevent collisions and the resulting hazards.
- Watchman/Lookout
This professional receives training to provide warnings about incoming trains, vehicles and equipment. Their sole task is to inform other safety workers of approaching machinery and suggest safe places to stay until the objects are out of the way.
Categories of Rail Safety Workers Assessment
A typical rail safety worker assessment has three categories based on the level of risk involved in the work area. Below are the categories:
Category 1
This category indicates the highest level required of a safety worker. A Category 1 rail safety worker should be highly attentive as any mishap or unfortunate health incident on their part, such as a sudden collapse or loss of consciousness, will result in heavy losses to the public and the rail network.
An example of a Category 1 task is driving a single-operator train on a commercial or passenger network. For those working in the mining industry, minerals, mines and quarries respiratory health surveillance is carried out to ensure that workers are in optimum health.
The following tests are part of a Category 1 rail safety medical:
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Epworth Sleepiness Scale
- Drug and Alcohol Screening
- Vision Testing
- Audiometry
- Cardiovascular Assessment
- General Medical Examination
- Respiratory Health Surveillance
- K10 Questionnaire for Psychological Health
- ECG
- Fasting Blood Sugar Test
Category 2
Category 2 tasks, though requiring a good level of attentiveness, don’t result in catastrophes in cases of sudden collapse or loss of consciousness of the operator. All Category 2 projects have fail-safe mechanisms that protect the safety of the rail network should the above events occur.
The following are tests conducted in Category 2 Rail Safety Medicals:
- Audiometry
- Drug and Alcohol Screening
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Vision Testing
- General Medical Examination
Category 3
A Category 3 rail safety worker assessment is for workers who perform critical non-safety duties not directly affected by their health or fitness status. The above means that the safety of commuters or coworkers isn’t in jeopardy due to a fall in the worker’s fitness levels; hence, there will be no need for acute medical management.
Medical tests include:
- Vision Testing
- Musculoskeletal Assessment
- Audiometry
- Drug and Alcohol Screening
Validity of a Rail Safety Medical Assessment
The rail safety medical assessment occurs periodically, though the evaluation frequency varies with the said category. Category 1 and 2 have assessments done before employment, every five years until age 50, every two years from age 50 to 60, and every year from age 60 upwards.
Category 3 assessments, however, occur before employment, then again at age 40, and finally every five years from age 40 upwards. These assessments follow the National Transport Commission’s Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers.
Conclusion
Rail Safety Worker Assessments ensure that safety is prioritised in the rail yard to prevent injury to workers and loss of valuable equipment. Kindly follow this link to learn more about Australia’s rail safety worker assessment.
