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Post by chris on Feb 2, 2006 8:00:56 GMT
I was ill yesterday. No problem there. Not exactly a great topic for a new post.
But it led me to think that what would happen if you got ill whilst in the middle of a shift? If you got a headache could you just take a couple of paracetamol and get on with it, or would it be too much of a distraction, not letting you drive in such a professional manner? After all, it does say on the side of a paracetamol box "do not drive or operate heavy machinery". (It even says that on the "Under 6's Calpol." Not too sure why...........)
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2006 14:29:44 GMT
Depends how ill, i suppose. Would a relief be booked to relieve you from your train at the next oppurtunity?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2006 14:52:17 GMT
I believe I have heard the T/Ops say in the past that if you are ill enough to need drugs of any sort, over-the-counter or prescription, you must inform an "operating official" (i.e. DMT) that you are in such a state, and allow them to decide if you are a possible risk in your current condition. IIRC anything beyond mild discomfort usually merits a relief driver taking over your turn.
(needs more T/Ops...)
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Post by c5 on Feb 2, 2006 17:24:57 GMT
As well as the drowsiness factor, Its also down to the stuff thats put into the medication. Things with the word Co- in are a no as they may/do contain cocaine dirivitives, meaning that you could fail a Drugs Test.
You should inform your Duty Managers/Station Supervisor if you are taking any medication, they an then check it against the guidence list provided by occupational health.
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Post by cdr113 on Feb 2, 2006 18:20:45 GMT
As well as the drowsiness factor, Its also down to the stuff thats put into the medication. Things with the word Co- in are a no as they may/do contain cocaine dirivitives, meaning that you could fail a Drugs Test. You should inform your Duty Managers/Station Supervisor if you are taking any medication, they an then check it against the guidence list provided by occupational health. with medicines such as co-codamol, you will only fail the initial screen for opiates, upon further investigation they will find the by-products (as a result of the original substance being metabolised) of the other drugs (ie paracetamol, caffeine for example) and you will pass the drug test as long as the medicine you have taken is approved by the relevant regulatory body - this happened to me with PTS D & A screening  scared my emplyer silly for a little while...!! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2006 20:51:43 GMT
I suspect, shortly after I return from holiday, I'll be subjected to a Random D&A test. Can't remember exactly when I last had one, must be around 7 months now...
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 3, 2006 3:58:06 GMT
Firstly, if a train operator feels they are too ill to drive - they are relieved at the first possible opportunity (train will possibly be taken out of service if it's felt that customer safety could be compromised).
All medication must be declared to the duty manager before booking on - as C5 say's, this will be checked against a list issued by LUL occupational health. If already on duty, the duty manager must be consulted prior to taking any form of medication - again, so that it can be checked. This applies to all staff in jobs classed as 'safety critical' - ie, station and train staff, track workers, etc.
If the medication precludes carrying out 'safety critical' tasks, staff members will only be allowed to do 'light duties' such as making the tea, running errands, delivering post, etc.
Of course if someone is seriously ill, they'll have their feet up at home.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 7:50:59 GMT
just something to add i am on blood pressure tablets when it was LUOH they said no track or safety critical work but now metronet is with BUPA they say i can work but not alone seems like both sides are not singing to the same hymn sheet
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 9:54:41 GMT
just something to add i am on blood pressure tablets when it was LUOH they said no track or safety critical work but now metronet is with BUPA they say i can work but not alone seems like both sides are not singing to the same hymn sheet Odd indeed. Nasty thing to be on blood pressure medication... |
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Phil
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Post by Phil on Feb 3, 2006 11:49:13 GMT
just something to add i am on blood pressure tablets when it was LUOH they said no track or safety critical work but now metronet is with BUPA they say i can work but not alone seems like both sides are not singing to the same hymn sheet Sounds like Metromess are coming into line with NR. There is such a thing as a restricted PTS, and although still subject to D&A, holders can really be quite ill - such as partially blind, partially deaf, severe diabetes etc. As long as they are accompanied at ALL times they can continue to work. Obviously not on platforms or in cabs, but certainly track work etc. |
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Post by Colin D on Feb 3, 2006 14:42:06 GMT
I've been on light duty since Sept and had 2 D&A tests since,good thing I'm not on any potent pain killers!!! My normal work is intercity bus driver. Right now I put in eight hours a day making a couple of phone calls and checking coaches for the next days service, extremly boring. Yesterday I saw a surgeon and was hoping to get a date to fix my shoulder (torn rotator) instead He's sending me for an MRI, so now it's wait time for that and wait time for surgery.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 16:53:56 GMT
you must inform an "operating official" (i.e. DMT) that you are in such a state, and allow them to decide if you are a possible risk in your current condition. DMT's and other operating officials do not decide on any possible risk. They are issued with a list of medications and must abide by this list, if the medicine is not on this list or they are unsure they have to call LU medical services and must abide by their advice. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 17:14:24 GMT
DMT's and other operating officials do not decide on any possible risk. They are issued with a list of medications and must abide by this list, if the medicine is not on this list or they are unsure they have to call LU medical services and must abide by their advice. Interesting - I guess I misworded my earlier statement, as what you said is what I tried to say. What precisely do you mean by your statement that the operating officials must "abide" by the medication list? |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 17:53:23 GMT
What precisely do you mean by your statement that the operating officials must "abide" by the medication list? When staff resume, they are always asked if they are on medication. There is a list of medications listing what can/can't be taken prior to work. If you are/were on anything on the disalowed list you will not be allowed to resume duty until the medication is out of your system, I believe the length of time is also on this list. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2006 18:13:17 GMT
What precisely do you mean by your statement that the operating officials must "abide" by the medication list? When staff resume, they are always asked if they are on medication. There is a list of medications listing what can/can't be taken prior to work. If you are/were on anything on the disalowed list you will not be allowed to resume duty until the medication is out of your system, I believe the length of time is also on this list. And if you fall on the wrong side of the list and are thus "stood down" pending the completion of the dosage, will you be penalized in any way? |
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Colin
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Post by Colin on Feb 3, 2006 18:38:45 GMT
And if you fall on the wrong side of the list and are thus "stood down" pending the completion of the dosage, will you be penalized in any way? Providing it was declared at the right time (ie, not found through random testing) - why would we be penalised? As stated earlier - it's a case of light duties till the stuff is out of your system. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 6:15:42 GMT
Slightly different angle on sickness and work - how does the LU 'absence' policy work? Currently the one where I work is like this:
Start at zero
Three occasions of absence - counselling (chat with manager)
Three more - verbal warning
Three more - written warning
Two more - final written warning
Two more - dismissal
This is quite a good scheme, however in April it will be this:
Two occasions - verbal warning
One more - written warning
One more - final written warning
One more - dismissal
So we're going from 13 absences in a rolling year to just 5 (harsh). How does the LU scheme compare with these?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 12:45:06 GMT
Seems harsh IMO. What about for bereavment etc., or a serious illness? Do these count as absences?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 15:10:40 GMT
The LU may be changed soon, in fact there's a big row about it.
But at the moment, you're basically allowed to be sick once every 3 months. More than that generates an "item" and eventually you can go to DB if you keep getting items.
There's more to it than that, and some manager discretion.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 16:12:48 GMT
Seems harsh IMO. What about for bereavment etc., or a serious illness? Do these count as absences? Well Joe it is harsh. As adw says there's a row on the combine about their sickness scheme, and there's rows at my work about ours. As you can see it's a bit of a difference in schemes! One change that is unpopular is that at the moment, if you work 50% or more of your shift and feel unwell, you can go home on full pay and it will not count on the 'sickness ladder'. In April this will change, and it'll count as a normal sickness, so potentially it'll be very easy to go up the ladder and get sacked. To be honest I think they've done it on purpose to get rid of full - time staff without giving them compensation. Our depot is flooded with agency staff and this is the way the company want it now. This is one reason I want to leave the company and started this thread: districtdave.proboards39.com/index.cgi?board=Staffing&action=display&thread=1138261211As for bereavment this counts as a special absence (I lost my father around two and a half years ago so know how this works) with differing allowances if you are helping to organise a funeral/other family reasons. Generally if you have to go into hospital for an operation it's not held against you and accidents at work (industrial injury) are generally not held against you too. The above applies now, I just hope it's still in place with the new scheme. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 4, 2006 17:37:14 GMT
Generally if you have to go into hospital for an operation it's not held against you and accidents at work (industrial injury) are generally not held against you too. Time off sick following assault whilst on duty, or travelling to and from work in uniform, is also not counted. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2006 19:42:10 GMT
every sickness is up to the managers descretion when i had time off in 2003 (7 months) for phumonia and DVT's the warning (level 2) was still printed out but my manager just torn it up and said he cannot issue it he didnt feel right so i never got the level 2 in the end ;D ;D ;D ;D
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scared my emplyer silly for a little while...!!
