Train driving and diabetes - Keeping safety on track

Abstract

Despite disability legislation, some people with diabetes (particularly those taking insulin) still experience discrimination in the work that they are allowed to perform. Some occupations have strict medical standards that people with diabetes may not be able to meet. These usually apply where a job is unusually risky, e.g. because it involves operating heavy machinery or vehicles, with a risk of harm to the employee or others in case of sudden incapacity. People with diabetes have successfully challenged employers who sought to exclude them from jobs simply because they were 'diabetic', rather than assessing them as individuals. We look at the phenomenon of diabetes control related to train driving and the criteria that should be achieved to ensure safety for both the individual and their passengers.