Other duties

 

We advise that in case of cancelled driver training, or where our members have no essential driving duties to undertake they should be away from the workplace and at home in line with government advice.

 

 

 

 

As with all advice concerning the COVID -19 outbreak the principle is to avoid all non-essential contact and travel, this is to avoid the infection risk involved in travelling to a medical.

 

Where there is a requirement for the driver to attend a medical, then it's done in line with Government social distancing guidelines and ASLEF policy on taxi use. If the guidance in this section cannot be achieved, then the driver should be stood down as the safest option.

 

We advise that best practice is:

 

a) Attendance at essential appointments only.

 

b) Telephone consultations should be regarded as the norm and safest method.

 

c) The following medicals should be postponed:

i) medication reviews where there is no change to medication or dosage. Where changes are prescribed a telephone consultation can take place.

ii) resumption medicals (where physical attendance isn't required).

iii) Permanently Medically Restricted (PMR) medicals under normal circumstances. Where clinical circumstances dictate that a PMR medical would benefit the driver, it can take place in line with current COVID -19 advice.

iv) random alcohol and drug testing.

 

d) Where periodic medicals are due, and where there is no apparent medical/clinical need, then TOCs/FOCs should adhere to ORR guidance which is to carry out an individual risk assessment and allow the usual periodic timescales to lapse so the driver can continue driving duties until such time as circumstances allow.

 

e) In line with the NHS suspension of community (non-emergency) physiotherapy, then attendance at TOC/FOC Occupational Health Physiotherapy referrals by drivers should not take place.

 

 

 

 

Attendance at Coroners Courts, BTP interviews, RAIB interviews and any Public Inquiry should only take place if absolutely necessary and conducted in line with Government advice on social distancing.