Changes to colour vision requirements

[greatkingrat]

The RSSB are changing tests for colour blindness so that failing the Ishihara test will now result in further tests being carried out, instead of being an immediate failure.

https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/i...fies-better-colour-vision-testing-for-drivers

New research from the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) will help more people with colour vision deficiency (colour blindness) work in safety-critical railway roles, such as train driving.

Being able to see and distinguish colours is an important requirement for safety-critical roles on the railway, with the Ishihara test commonly used to check for colour vision deficiency. The Ishihara test works by presenting a series of coloured plates with numbers or patterns hidden within a field of dots and identifies colour-deficient vision but not the degree of colour vision loss. This means people with minor colour vision loss could fail the test even though they are able to safely perform the role.
ASLEF asked RSSB to research colour vision testing as the trade union that represents train drivers concerned some drivers were being removed from duties after failing the Ishihara test on a minor colour vision deficiency that did not impact their ability to safely perform their role.
RSSB’s research has identified a new two-step approach to colour vision assessment. The Ishihara test remains the primary screening test, with 100% correct answers needed to pass. Any applicants who fail then take a more detailed Colour Assessment and Diagnosis test to determine the specific degree of their colour vision deficiency. RSSB’s analysis shows this new approach could allow approximately 47% of people currently failing the Ishihara test to be assessed as safe to perform the role.

 

[NSEWonderer]

That is pretty big for some people.

 

[Dk1992]

The RSSB are changing tests for colour blindness so that failing the Ishihara test will now result in further tests being carried out, instead of being an immediate failure.

https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/i...fies-better-colour-vision-testing-for-drivers

Does anyone know if that has been introduced yet?

 

[greatkingrat]

Yes, it came into force on 1st March. The exact wording is

Where distinction of red green colour is essential for the role, individuals who do not pass the screening test, for example Ishihara, can be referred for a secondary test, such as the Colour Assessment and Diagnosis (CAD) test with thresholds of 3.05 CAD for deutan deficient candidates or 5.27 CAD for protan deficient candidates.

 

[Dk1992]

Yes, it came into force on 1st March. The exact wording is

That’s great, thanks for the reply.

 

[redbutton]

The standard has come into force which allows OH departments to refer for further testing, but my understanding is that not all of them are A- aware of the standard, and B- have incorporated it into their own company policies. So it's very much YMMV at this point.

It's still a step in the right direction, though.

 

[Dk1992]

The standard has come into force which allows OH departments to refer for further testing, but my understanding is that not all of them are A- aware of the standard, and B- have incorporated it into their own company policies. So it's very much YMMV at this point.

It's still a step in the right direction, though.

“The findings of this research have informed changes to rail industry standard RIS-3789-TOM. The revised standard will be published in March 2025.”

The closing sentence would seem that companies have all been informed of the change and that this standard has been revised so therefor has to be part of medicals going forward?

 

[Jimmyrn85]

Hi all, do we know if this has changed the outcome for anyone yet?

I am likely to be caught up in this....

I have a DMI for GWR soon, hopefully upon passing that I'll get to the medical... And with currently working in oil and gas, I've have yearly medicals which involve the Ishihara test. Some I've passed, some I've failed (doesn't affect my current job), so I think I'm borderline with v mild colour blindness.

I hope GWR will offer me the CAD if I fail the Ishihara, it's not something I want to ask them until I get through the DMI. Having done a tiny bit of research I can only see the CAD being offered by a pilot Dr near Heathrow - I'm based near Exeter.