Medical for Conductors

[GriffoBrighton]

Evening all

I am considering applying for a job on the railways.

I am just going through some stuff on the internet about getting a PTSC and the medical thats involved to get the card.

I am a diabetic type 2 (tablets) and was wondering if this could be a problem at medical??

cheers

 

[9K43]

If you get a medical, you may be just round the corner for a job.
You must be able to make the next to last line on an eye sight chart, also a hearing test, touch your toes and bp settiings.
When I started I wore specs, and you could take the eyesight test wearing specs and read the next to the bottom of the chart.
At that time BR Supplied specs for guards and drivers.
If you wore specs then you had to have a pair for the job and a spare set of specs in your bag.
Also you will get the Ishimara eyesight test, to see if you are colour blind.
I found that you needed good eye sight for sighting signals from a long distance.
For example you may have to shunt LHCS into siding in the black of night.
and sight a GPL from 720 feet from the actual light (The length of the train with 12 coaches on)
If you are on medication then you need to tell the doctor, also they will test you for drink and drugs, not that you do any of those.

 

[daveyf1975]

Why do you have to be able to touch your toes ??

 

[9K43]

Cos thats to see if you have any problems with your back.
If you ever had to uncouple coaches which would need to get under the buffers and man handle a heavy buck eye into position. 112lbs
Perhaps placing dets to the rear of the train in case of emergency, or clearing the track infront of a train, where some comedian has put an obstruction.
And a million other situations . Just think about it.

 

[daveyf1975]

i did think about it and thats why i posted. not being able to touch your toes doesnt stop you doing the tasks that you mentioned. only asked because i have conductors applications in but ive never been able to touch my toes.

 

[jadam35]

i did think about it and thats why i posted. not being able to touch your toes doesnt stop you doing the tasks that you mentioned. only asked because i have conductors applications in but ive never been able to touch my toes.

Just started a Conductor course today, so my medical was 2 weeks ago.
I was'nt asked to touch my toes or do any physical excercise. The eye test with my bad eye I managed to 3 lines from bottom and two with my good one.
Had the hearing test which does not have to be perfect as they allow for loss of hearing over the years in previous jobs etc. Had a blood pressure test and strict urine test. Was also breathalised. They also recorded any medication I had taken lately. e.g. pain killers, sleeping tablets, antibiotics. All of which are fine as long as you declare them as they show up in the tests. You dont have to be superfit just an average person. Obviously I dont know about Drivers medicals but this was my experience. Good luck.

 

[daveyf1975]

sounds justlike the medical i had a few months ago for my current role. nowt to worry about and not a toe touch in sight !!!

 

[156441]

No toe touching in mine and tablet controlled diabeties is not a problem!

Hope all goes well for you!

 

[GriffoBrighton]

Cheers 156441. Thanks for answering that question for me.

 

[BestWestern]

Just to add, if you are unfortunate enough to reach the point where you have to use injected meds for diabetes (which I don't know an awful lot about, apologies), my understanding is that you are no longer able to work in a safety critical post (train crew, dispatch, etc).

You will obviously know far more than me about your condition and I'm sure you take good care of yourself and all, but there are a couple of guys at our shack who have it too and are widely regarded as gradually heading out of the door because they make no effort (diet etc) to keep it at bay. Just worth knowing that even once you're 'in' you can still end up 'out' again if it sufficiently worsens.

Anyway, best of luck with it all!

Regards, BW.

 

[tony6499]

Just to add, if you are unfortunate enough to reach the point where you have to use injected meds for diabetes (which I don't know an awful lot about, apologies), my understanding is that you are no longer able to work in a safety critical post (train crew, dispatch, etc).

You will obviously know far more than me about your condition and I'm sure you take good care of yourself and all, but there are a couple of guys at our shack who have it too and are widely regarded as gradually heading out of the door because they make no effort (diet etc) to keep it at bay. Just worth knowing that even once you're 'in' you can still end up 'out' again if it sufficiently worsens.

Anyway, best of luck with it all!

Regards, BW.

Not on Southern, there are several insulin dependant safety critical staff now

 

[Res]

I have a medical next week. How long does the assessment roughly take?

Thanks

 

[monty9120]

does anyone know how strict the eyesight test is?

 

[313103]

I am surprised that Southern allow insulin dependant staff to do or carry out safety critical roles. I do not know of any other company that allows it, i was told by my company that if i became insulin dependent my saftey critical role would be withdrawn until i was off insulin. Not sure if this covered in the Group standards so will have to have a look.

Another word of caution if you have had corected laser vision to eyes you will also fail. At the moment you cannot do Safety Critical roles if you have had corrected eye vision. I have heard that this may change. The reason why is that no one knows for sure how good or bad they are over a period of time. Corective eye surgery is a fairly modern medical process.

 

[156441]

I am surprised that Southern allow insulin dependant staff to do or carry out safety critical roles. I do not know of any other company that allows it, i was told by my company that if i became insulin dependent my saftey critical role would be withdrawn until i was off insulin. Not sure if this covered in the Group standards so will have to have a look.

Another word of caution if you have had corected laser vision to eyes you will also fail. At the moment you cannot do Safety Critical roles if you have had corrected eye vision. I have heard that this may change. The reason why is that no one knows for sure how good or bad they are over a period of time. Corective eye surgery is a fairly modern medical process.

Nice to see southern taking a modern approach to a growing problem! Well done them!!

Laser eye surgery is now allowed in the group standards but only a certain type. Not sure which one.