Rail transport operators must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that rail safety workers (including contractors) who perform rail safety work in relation to their rail transport operations are of sufficient health and fitness to carry out that work safely.

As part of their safety management system, accredited rail transport operators must prepare and implement a health and fitness program for rail safety workers. This program must comply with the National Transport Commission’s (NTC) National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers, which took effect on 20 January 2013.

The national standard provides practical guidance for:

• rail operators to manage risks posed by the health and fitness of rail safety workers
• health professionals authorised by rail operators to conduct health assessments of rail safety workers.

It is the responsibility of the rail transport operator to determine whether a health professional is qualified to conduct rail safety worker health assessments.

For a copy of the standard and supporting guidance visit the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers section of the NTC website.

Last updated: 5 December 2017