ABOUT US
Background
Rail Network Operators have a responsibility to protect the safety of the public and rail safety workers and minimise risks. One way to achieve this is to monitor the health of rail safety workers.
To ensure there is a consistent approach across the Australian rail industry, the National Standard for Health Assessment of Rail Safety Workers (the Standard) was developed and is regularly reviewed and updated. Authorised Health Professionals (AHPs) are accredited to undertake these medical assessments in accordance with the Standard. The National Transport Commission (NTC) is currently developing the next version of the Standard which is due to be approved in late 2024.
The existing AHP program, which is housed on the Rail Industry Work website, provides a directory of participating AHPs where rail safety workers who require a medical assessment can search the website for their closest participating AHP. However, the functionality of the AHP scheme needs to be updated.
AHP Program Introduction
Metro Trains Australia (MTA) and the Rail Industry Safety Standards Board (RISSB) have worked together to develop a new AHP program that will provide a professional administration of the AHP program.
The AHP Program acts as the central hub for Australian Chief Medical Officers, AHPs, and Rail Network Operators to efficiently manage the scheduling and training of AHP’s, as well as identifying certified AHP’s to conduct medical assessments for rail workers.
The AHP Program provides a low maintenance, easily accessible and up-to-date directory of participating AHPs.
To be able to conduct assessments under the new Standard, AHP’s will need to carry out mandatory training and register with the AHP Program.
Benefits of the new AHP Program
The new AHP Program will:
- Facilitate the delivery of training to existing AHPs to ensure their readiness to deliver health assessments in line with the 2024 edition of the Standard.
- Provide a new online portal to manage all aspects of the AHP Program, including training, registration and re-accreditation of AHPs on an annual basis.
- Provide access to relevant AHP only resources.
- Provide rail transport operators and rail safety workers with an easily accessible and up-to-date list of AHPs.
The improved functionality of the new AHP Program will enable AHPs to:
- Locate Chief Medical Officer face-to-face training dates (6 months of dates are displayed in advance) and details.
- Complete online training once they have completed the face-to-face training with a Chief Medical Officer.
- Manage their own data in the system.
- Access AHP only resources.
- Pay their annual membership fee.
- Notifications of subscription and training expiry.
- Escalation of disputes.