2024 Edition of the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers Released

In early October, the 2024 Edition of the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers received approval from all state Infrastructure and Transport Ministers and was subsequently published by the National Transport Commission (NTC). The updated Standard has been released following a periodic three-year review process.

Rail workers play a vital role in keeping Australia’s rail system, and the goods and people it transports, safe. Ensuring they are fit and healthy is of the utmost importance. However, as new medical research and best practice comes to light, and technology and equipment change how they work, it is vital that that standards are updated to meet the new health risks rail workers face.

The updated standard will take effect on 11 November, 2024. All health assessments from this date will be conducted in accordance with the 2024 edition.

We encourage our clients and affiliate partners to become familiar with the 2024 edition by accessing the following documents from the NTC. The full standard is a lengthy document, so please take advantage of the summarised changes in the fact sheets.

• Full 2024 Standard
• Comprehensive Summary of Changes
• Fact sheet for Operators
• Fact sheet for Rail Safety workers

For more information visit National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers | National Transport Commission (ntc.gov.au)

How KINNECT will support clients and Affiliate Partners with the implementation of the Standard

Dr. Graeme Edwards, KINNECT’s Chief Occupational Physician, is offering vital guidance on the changes in the new Standard. He is a senior Occupational and Environmental Medicine Consultant and an active member of the Rail Industry Safety and Standards Board’s Chief Medical Officers Council (CMOC).

We are aware of the practical implications for how rail operators and AHP’s carry out pre-employment and health surveillance medicals for rail workers. As such, over the past six months, our Clinical Governance Team have been working together with our Medical Support Team and Carelever developers to prepare our systems and processes, including Carelever Forms, to be compliant with the new Standard. 

Please be assured that KINNECT are well prepared for the new edition of the National Standard to ensure a seamless transition for our clients and support for our Affiliate Partners.