Railway medicals are required for people working on or near rail infrastructure to ensure they are fit to undertake their proposed duties and ensure that public and workplace safety is maintained. The type of medical you need depends on how “safety-critical” your job role is. There are three types of railway medicals:

Category 1

Highest level of safety critical work – Assigned to any position where the rail network or public safety would be placed in danger if the worker was suddenly unable to work due to collapsing or ill health (e.g. train drivers, signal maintenance technicians and safeworking coordinators). 

The Category 1 Railway Medical includes:

• Worker notification and health questionnaire
• General health assessment
• Audiometry (Hearing assessment)
• Laboratory Urine Drug and Alcohol screening (with Melbourne Pathology)
• ECG lab & report
• Blood testing (Fasting cholesterol + FBC)

Please note that a Category 1 Railway Medical will require two appointments:

• Appointment 1: To see the doctor to complete the ECG lab & report, laboratory urine drug and alcohol screening, and receive a referral for a blood test (fasting cholesterol /  FBE). Fasting is required and the blood test needs to be done 48 – 72 hours before the next appointment.
• Appointment 2: Completion of the medical and audiometry test. 

Category 2

Medium level of safety critical work – Assigned to any position that requires a high level of attentiveness, but where the rail network or public safety would not be endangered if the worker was suddenly unable to work due to collapsing or ill health (e.g. signallers and train controllers).

The Category 2 Railway Medical includes:

• Worker notification and health questionnaire (including urine glucose test)
• General health assessment
• Audiometry (Hearing assessment)

Category 3

Low level of safety critical work – Assigned to any position where the rail network or public safety would not be endangered if the worker was suddenly unable to work due to collapsing or ill health (e.g. station staff members and authorised officers). They are, however, at risk from hazards such as moving trains. 

The Category 3 Railway Medical includes:

• Worker notification and health questionnaire 
• General health assessment
• Audiometry (Hearing assessment)
• Instant Urine, Drug and Alcohol Screening (with our nurses) OR Laboratory Urine Drug and Alcohol screening (with Melbourne Pathology)*

* Subject to employee and/or employer needs or preferences.

Call us on (03) 9560 6655 to make an appointment for a medical assessment.