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#1 Posted : 21 October 2008 13:13:00(UTC)
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Posted By Simon Levy
Hi all,

I've been asked to provide a risk assessment for an employee who is colour blind. Any ideas on where i can start with this as i haven't a clue.

Thanks in advance.
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#2 Posted : 21 October 2008 13:23:00(UTC)
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Posted By Neil R
Why do you need a risk assessment for someone who is colour blind?

What task is he or she undertaking?

Unless the person in question does a job where they absolutely must be able to distinguish various colours i seriously doubt the need for one.
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#3 Posted : 21 October 2008 13:31:00(UTC)
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Posted By Simon Levy
Fair point, i forgot to mention that they are a lorry driver who operates next to aircraft. Should have provided the full satory initially.
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#4 Posted : 21 October 2008 13:51:00(UTC)
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Posted By CFT
I'm interested in this, as I once investigated a driver accident in the workplace. The chap suffered severe colour blindness and was completely unable to differentiate between red and green; somewhat of a problem whilst driving.

Simon, I suppose it greatly depends on what degree of CB the employee suffers from; I assume there is no restriction to driving ability?

As Neil says, to what end is it going to be an issue, and to what level of severity is it? Is the fleet insurance provider aware of the CB?

Finally how did you find out, and who has diagnosed it?

CFT
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#5 Posted : 21 October 2008 13:55:00(UTC)
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Posted By Winsley
Send him to an Optician for a suitable test.
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#6 Posted : 21 October 2008 14:00:00(UTC)
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Posted By Arran Linton - Smith
I wouldn’t go there unless you are an Occupational Physician. For example does the individual have Protanopia, Deuteranopia or Tritanopia?

In view of the proportion of the population who are not aware that they have some degree of Daltonism if the task is wrong for anyone who are challenged to some degree by colour, then the risk is greater from the population as a whole, which is why we have the current colour code for wiring.

There were many electricians (I tested in a past life) who had some degree of colour deficiency; however this did not prevent them from undertaking their work.
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#7 Posted : 21 October 2008 14:20:00(UTC)
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Posted By Adam Worth

http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ms7.pdf

OK this is a bit OTT but it’s a start and the references include this –

“A practical guide: Employment adjustments for people
with sight problems Employers Forum on Disability 2000”


I would follow the good old HSE 5 steps – reference the above and come up with some practical steps to control risk – this may include further advice from an occ health expert, further training or use of controls that don’t rely on colour etc etc?
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#8 Posted : 21 October 2008 14:48:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Just to link this with the Tower Crane driver. Pleaase make sure your OH person making the assessment really understands the task range involved or you may get a very "off the wall" answer!

OH personnel do not always fully understand the employment needs of the people they are assessing and often can believe certain skills are required that are actually irrlelevant.

Bob
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#9 Posted : 21 October 2008 16:07:00(UTC)
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Posted By Simon Levy
Thanks all, your comments have been extremely useful. Looks like the the OH adviser will deal with the issue and assess the risk.
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#10 Posted : 21 October 2008 16:32:00(UTC)
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Posted By Robert K Lewis
Simon

You hope that they will!

Sorry but I am oft cynical with some OH statements. There is a longer story behind this view however.

Bob
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#11 Posted : 21 October 2008 20:21:00(UTC)
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Posted By SNS
Simon,

I've been out of the aircraft area for a short while, however colour perception ability decided whether or not a person was granted a licence / permit to drive on the airfield due to the difference in lighting used and light levels after dusk.

Not sure whether there is CAA guidance on the subject.

Colour perception for road driving is not so critical as road traffic lights area a vertical regular pattern.

More info needed by you from an appropriate authority :)

S
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#12 Posted : 21 October 2008 22:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By bill reilly
simon

is this of any help


http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/ms7.pdf
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#13 Posted : 22 October 2008 13:04:00(UTC)
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Posted By Paul Timms
As a sufferer myself I feel qualified to comment. I am unable to obtain airfield driving licenses due to my colour blindness. However until I took a test I did not know. I can honestly say that you could show me any traffic light in any configuration and I can tell them apart whatever the light conditions. As a H&S practitioner I would Risk Assess myself as no risk. I cannot tell you how bad I am on a scale of 1-10 say but I cannot pass a test.
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#14 Posted : 22 October 2008 16:38:00(UTC)
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Posted By MP Grayson
A good question. I'm not having a pop, but why is it a specific H/S problem?

Surely this type of risk assessment is to be completed by your senior management team with inputs from; your insurance company (check small print, I don't think that you will be covered), the airport owners (its their train set and their rules) and air traffic (ground) control (they call the shots and issue the licence).

If you are a contractor then its between your contract director and your clients contract manager.

There's more to a risk assessment than just health and safety and I am sorry if this offends those who have one of many colour issues, but: In my experience (25 years fixing airplanes) you have already had a procedural failure. How did someone get to have an air-side driving licence with issues such as this in the first place? The back up plan for controlling ALL movement on the ground is by coloured and/or flashing lights. Problems can come about in the dark and when raining etc. Air-side can be a very dangerous and confusing place to be, especially with limited vision from inside a lorry cab. Unfortunately its one of those times when rules is rules.

Crack on.
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#15 Posted : 22 October 2008 20:26:00(UTC)
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Posted By Martyn Hendrie
You may find the following link useful

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/Cap642.pdf

(see pg 181)


Hope this helps
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#16 Posted : 22 October 2008 20:52:00(UTC)
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Posted By MP Grayson
See also page 173. Para 3.2.2.

Crack on
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