Medical question - Trainee Train Driver

[LCC106]

Only checked mine after my hearing had dulled a bit since the last medical. Bit of wax.

 

[Red Devil]

@JammyJames08 You would think it would be standardised. Checking the drum and health of the ear would be wise!!!

It is standardised. Using the booth and electronic frequencies in each ear. Any problems they tell you to consult your GP for further investigation.
They're not specialised to conduct further investigations.

 

[TeaTrain]

@Red Devil My comment was in context of the checking of the ear drum itself by someone looking inside. Which it is not standard practice. As noted by the various responses here.

 

[bluesfromagun]

I don't buy into this at all. You get a medical to assess that you meet the standards for a train driver. Thats literally it, the way I see it. They're checking your eyesight, whether you're colourblind, deaf, etc etc. They're not checking for previous issues with a nerve in your arm - as long as you can move it freely and normally, it's an irrelevance.
The medical result is merely a "pass" or "fail" to HR on the critical points above. You're going for a drivers job, not a medical ahead of a £45m transfer to Man City.

 

[DriverEight]

I don't buy into this at all. You get a medical to assess that you meet the standards for a train driver. Thats literally it, the way I see it. They're checking your eyesight, whether you're colourblind, deaf, etc etc. They're not checking for previous issues with a nerve in your arm - as long as you can move it freely and normally, it's an irrelevance.
The medical result is merely a "pass" or "fail" to HR on the critical points above. You're going for a drivers job, not a medical ahead of a £45m transfer to Man City.

It might not be as clear cut as that. Whilst you may meet the standards to drive trains now, they may feel that they need to look for things that will affect your abilities to drive trains in the future

 

[LCC106]

I agree with Ian. Additionally if you can’t move it freely and normally it’s an opportunity to highlight any adaptations that may be required to help in your role.

 

[Stigy]

Nor me. They did not check my ear canals. If you do not pass they will send you for further examination. I know for guard roles you would normally need some kind of hearing aid but for a driver I’m not so sure. Today in my second major day of training they specifically spoke about sight and hearing.

What did they tell you about sight and hearing during training? That you need to be able to see and hear?

 

[TeaTrain]

Yes lol but in a lot more depth. They also tested us to see if we could see engineers on the line in the photos etc.

 

[Stigy]

Yes lol but in a lot more depth. They also tested us to see if we could see engineers on the line in the photos etc.

Really? And what if you couldn’t? In the real world you’ll be blowing up at autumnal bushes because you think they’re little orange men.

 

[TeaTrain]

Ha ha I’m sure I would mistake many bushes for people lol

I am not sure what would happen. We spotted them all so it wasn’t a problem. I’m assuming nothing would happen and they were just trying to teach and test us about workers on the line and what to look out for.

Go easy on me lol I have only done a week!

 

[Rhia]

I don't know if it will have any bearing on whether or not you get the job, but they may be annoyed if you have to take time off for surgery and recovery for a condition that you knew about and failed to mention. If you're off for an extended period in the middle of a training course, they'll probably have to suspend your training

Thank you. I done it and declared it and still passed so hopefully all is well and it doesn’t cause any issues in the near future.

 

[Star S W 9]

Had a few railway medicals. No need to worry they'll pass a corpse!

lol

 

[baz962]

Or as happens to me a lot , not blowing up because the orange men are sitting behind a bleeding cabinet or just behind a bridge.

 

[RailLady]

My first post so hopefully you will be kind!

I just wanted to gauge the opinion on this before I start applying for positions and spend time going through the lengthy recruitment process - if I am lucky to get through the first stage that is.

I have been reading many posts on medicals that are carried out but cannot seem to find a specific answer I seek - basically what is the situation with having to declare previous surgeries during the medical or if any questions are asked regarding previous surgeries?

I had a shoulder op about 3 years ago where I was experiencing trapped nerve issue and weakness from an old rugby injury. The operation was successful and fully curative but I am wondering if Occupation health will flag this up as a potential problem in the future? I also had a neck operation which was again successful but as I put myself in an employers shoes and wonder if they think that this is a potential problem in the future.

Are there are any train drivers or trainees who have just gone through the medical process that can shed some light. Or am I overthinking this and it will not be a problem? Do they just perform a physical assessment and use that to decide whether to sign you off.

Thanks.

To answer your post (because a lot of people have gone on a tangent (no offence)... you have a duty of care to report your medical history to the clinician. The clinician will determine if you meet the medical at the rail standard. Anything you have mentioned will be noted and they will notify your TOC if there is anything that can impact your ability to do the role.

the employer cannot determine how your medical history and health will impact the role, which is why they send you to a medical with a medically trained clinician.

it’s completely normal to question this. But until you have done it, you will never know if you meet the standard.

there has been numerous occasions where people have failed medicals. There are some things where a TOC may have the ability to see if they can make a reasonable adjustment but that would be determined by what’s flagged.