Medical Standards for Railroad Workers

This report provides information for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to use in assessing the need for a medical standards program for railroad workers performing safety-sensitive functions and in determining an appropriate course of action. The study examined existing programs of three U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) modal administrations, five foreign programs and 12 railroads representing Class 1, regional/short line and commuter operators. Review of five different sources of accident and casualty data found several accidents and injuries where the medical condition of the employee was the probable or contributing cause. Over half of employee-on-duty fatalities in 2003 were due to medical conditions. The available medical literature on operator impairment consistently links performance impairment to fatigue, certain medications and hypoglycemia. Compatibility of a medical standards program with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Railway Labor Act, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act regulations and existing labor agreements does not appear to be a problem. Based on the programs of the DOT modal administrations, foreign countries and existing railroad programs, options for the various components of a medical standards program are outlined. Three alternative models for FRA involvement in such a program are presented along with resource estimates. The study concludes that the FRA should proceed with development of a medical standards program and points out key issues that must be resolved.

• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/medical-standards-railroad-workers
• Record URL:
  https://railroads.dot.gov/elibrary/medical-standards-railroad-workers-final-report-2005
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Foster-Miller, Incorporated

  350 Second Avenue
  Waltham, MA  United States  02254

  Federal Railroad Administration

  Office of Safety
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC    20590
• Authors:
  • Gertler, Judith
  • Hartenbaum, Natalie
  • Viale, Alex
  • Wittels, Ellison
  • Ellis, Sharon Henderson
• Publication Date: 2005-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Glossary; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 211p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Diseases and medical conditions; Employees; Human factors in crashes; Railroad safety; Standards
• Identifier Terms: U.S. Federal Railroad Administration
• Subject Areas: Railroads; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01472815
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: DFRA.040039, DOT/FRA/RRS-05/01
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Feb 19 2013 8:53AM