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1. PURPOSE

The purpose of this policy statement is to provide Business and Service Groups with a clear understanding of policy procedures relating to the administration of the Health Failure Scheme.

2. SCOPE

This policy applies to all locomotive Drivers, Driver's Assistants, Locomotive Assistants, Guards and Shunters employed throughout Queensland Rail.

3. REFERENCES

Guidelines for the medical examination of locomotive drivers.

Queensland Cabinet Decision 30340 dated 2 April 1979. Policy File HS93.425.1.5.

Traincrew Industrial Agreement 1996. (revision 01.1 00.00.99)

Redeployment and separation Policy.

4. DEFINITIONS

Not Applicable.

5. POLICY

5.1 General.

The Health Failure Scheme allows that any driver, locomotive assistant, guard or shunter found to be unfit to continue employment in their respective classification due to a medical condition likely to produce sudden unconsciousness {e.g. uncontrolled or insulin dependent diabetes, uncontrolled epilepsy or advanced cardiac disease) but fit for employment in another category be offered such position and paid the rate applicable to classification that was relinquished.

5.2 Timing of Examination.

Examinations for guards and shunters will commence when employee reaches the age of 30 or after 10 years service, which situation occurs first. Employees concerned will then be examined every five years until they reach the age of 60. After reaching the age of 60 they will be examined every year.

Examinations are to be arranged on or about the 30th, 35th, 40th etc. birthday to 60 years of age.

Locomotive Drivers, Driver's Assistants and Locomotive Assistants will undergo full examination prior to initial employment and then at the following intervals, or at such intervals as advised by the Railway Medical Officer: -

Where no medical condition has been disclosed which would require an earlier review a minimum period of 2.5 years should elapse between the next examination. However, the requirement of annual review takes precedence when an employee attains the age of 60.

This is regardless of whether the employee is on sick or annual leave at the time.

5.3 Medical Examination

All Health Failure examinations should be arranged in conjunction with a day shift wherever possible.

If practical, the medical examination shall not be arranged on the rostered day off of the employee.

Employees undergoing examination are to have a nights rest prior to the examination and not be rostered for duty for at least five hours after the examination.

The above mentioned is only a guideline of the structuring of examinations. If practical issues restrict the use of this procedure alternative arrangements can be made.

Attendance at the medical examination is not regarded as a shift.

Wherever possible arrangements should be made to keep the delay between the examination and the X-ray examination minimal.

5.4 Medical Conditions.

Examining officers will be looking for medical conditions which would be likely to produce sudden unconsciousness such as:

• Uncontrolled or insulin Dependant Diabetes;
• Uncontrolled Epilepsy;
• Advanced Cardiac Disease.

5.5 Payment for Examination.

Payment of 4 hours will be made to the employee for attending the examination but will not be applied as part of the guaranteed payment for the fortnight.

Where the employee is required to report a second time to the Railway Medical Officer for the completion of the examination another payment of 4 hours is to be granted.

5.6 Follow-up Treatment.

If a condition becomes apparent during examination the patient will be referred to his or her own doctor for further investigation and treatment.

This follow-up treatment will be at the employees own expense.

Where a Railway Medical Officer recommends a "stress" or "exercise" ECG, the employee will carry the cost.

5.7 Placement if Unfit.

Any employee found to be unfit to carry out the duties of their own classification due to a medical condition that may produce sudden unconsciousness, but fit for some other category, will be offered such position and be paid at their classification rate provided that they have a minimum of ten years service in the respective grade.

Service as an Operations Assistant will be regarded as service as a Locomotive Driver or Driver's Assistant for the purpose of qualifying for payment at their classification rate.

Alternative employment may be at another close centre or major depot. In the case of Locomotive Drivers and Driver's Assistants the employee may be entitled to return to their "home" depot.

Rates of pay will still be subject to normal indexations.

Employees transferred to other positions under the Health Failure Scheme, although paid at their classification rate, are to work under the conditions applicable to the classification in which they are employed.

Employees are to be employed in a capacity for which their condition permits, even though this may be in a position in excess of establishment.

5.8 Examination Reports

Where an employee has been past fit at a Health Failure Medical Examination, the medical report is to be held by the appropriate Occupational Health Nurse.

The results of the Health Failure Medical Examination and the next review date are to be entered on the employee relations Information System as follows: -

"18AUG1999 HEALTH MTCE SCHEME FIT DEADLINE - 18AUG2000 MEDICAL REVIEW"

Employees returned, as fit should be advised accordingly together with any test results. Where the employee is returned as fit but is advised to seek treatment or further investigation, which does not come under the scheme the employee, should be advised accordingly.

5.9 Conflicting Medical Opinions.

If the Railway Medical Officer certifies an employee medically unfit but alternative certificate or certificates are produced that conflict with this report, the matter should be referred to the Occupational Medical Consultant for a determination.

5.10 Medical Invalidity.

Traincrew and Shunters unable to meet the relevant medical fitness standard that applies to their position may be offered a separation payment similar to that outlined in sections 8.1 and 8.2 of the Redeployment and Separation Policy.

6. PROCEDURES

7. AUTHORITY

Chief Executive or Deputy Chief Executive

8. SCHEDULE

Not Applicable

9. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Not Applicable

10 AMENDMENT REGISTER

11. SUPPORTING GUIDELINES OR DOCUMENTATION

Not Applicable