New safety standard for the rail industry will come into effect next year when the National Rail Safety Regulator begins
November 5, 2012
An updated safety standard for rail workers will come into effect on January next year when the National Rail Safety Regulator begins.
The country’s transport ministers approved the updated standard to begin on January 20 following a review by the National Transport Commission (NTC). The commencement date is in line with the National Rail Safety Law, which establishes the regulator.
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.
NTC CEO Nick Dimopoulos says the updated standard reflects 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,” he says.
The standard provides practical guidance for rail transport operators to meet their obligations under national law, as well as medical criteria used by health professionals appointed by operators to perform health assessments.
The standard applies to all rail transport operators and rail safety workers. It includes a framework for analysing and categorising risks, and requirements relating to scheduling, records management and medical criteria for fitness of duty.
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 says the updated standard has been consolidated into one volume to make it clearer and concise.
