STANDARD FOR UNAIDED VISION

Our ref: HSR

Head Office Circular: NP/91/24

9^th April 2024

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague

STANDARD FOR UNAIDED VISION

 

I have received a reply from the RSSB to my letter in which I wrote to them questioning the requirement for an unaided standard.

RSSB has informed me that this standard is currently part of a live project of revisions and updating: https://www.rssb.co.uk/about-rssb/insights-and-news/blogs/rssbs-medical-standards-are-being-revised. 

It is RSSB’s current expectation that the requirements for unaided vision will be removed, but this is subject to further analysis. If this is supported, it will mean that the minimum vision requirements in the Operations National Technical Specification Notice (NTSN) and Train Driver Licensing and Certification Regulations (TDLCR) will continue to apply, and these can be met by wearing glasses if needed. 

The revised standard is expected to be published on 1 March 2025.

At its meeting on 2^nd April 2024, your National Executive Committee noted adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee: 

We note the contents of the correspondence from RSSB “Standard for unaided vision”. 

The General Secretary is instructed to place the correspondence on file and to notify the NEC of any further developments.  

Branches and Regional Councils to be advised accordingly. 

I am acting in line with these instructions. Please bring this circular to the attention of all relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary