NR NR/L2/OHS/157 ISSUE 1 PDF

This standard describes the process of health surveillance for Network Rail employees, both current and prospective, who, by nature of their role, could potentially be exposed to a hazardous substance in the form of an airborne contaminant through the course of their work. 

The standard describes health surveillance processes that:

a) establish the baseline respiratory status of a new employee, undergoing a level 1 competence specific medical;

NOTE: For further information on competence specific medicals see NR/L2/OHS/00124.

b) establish the respiratory status of current employees dependant on exposure;

c) detect the early signs of developing or worsening respiratory conditions linked to an exposure to an airborne contaminant used in the work environment;

d) identify and protect vulnerable employees such as those with pre-existing respiratory health conditions e.g. asthma, to prevent the condition from worsening;

e) confirm employees’ fitness to continue undertaking work with an exposure to an airborne contaminant; and

f) support evaluation of mitigations implemented to control exposure to respiratory hazards. 

This standard does not apply to other forms of exposure to hazardous substances, such as ingestion and absorption. 

This standard applies to:

a) new and existing employees who could potentially be exposed to a hazardous substance in the form of an airborne contaminant through the course of their work;

b) line managers of the employees in point 2.1.4 a);

c) occupational health providers/practitioners/physicians; and

d) Human Resources Shared Services (HRSS). 

Network Rail expects contractors to have health surveillance arrangements in place at least equivalent to those described in this standard

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to mitigate the health risks associated with exposure to respiratory hazards through inhalation; specifically those health risks associated with silica and asbestos. 

It can be applied to other respiratory hazards, such as, but not limited to, welding fumes. 

Implementation of the processes defined within this standard will enable Network Rail to comply with its legal obligations and duty of care under Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 and the Control of Asbestos Regulations (CAR) 2012.