We have just dicovered through a couple of tests that our young apprentice electrician has a 'Colour vision' issue. He has a problem distinguishing Red and Green. We have sent him for a test and awaiting the report from the optician. As yet we do not know at haswhat stage or category of colour vision problem(If there is any) he has, and if it will affect his carrer prospects. I know the safety implications come first at any point both for Him and his colleagues, and also us a a company and applying 'Duty of Care'. Has anyone else had any problems like this? and how have you dealt with them? given that not all electricians have perfect colour vision. Many Thanks

You should be able to get around this practically and how hard you are prepared to be inclusive. I once had a apprentice sparks in my factory with no colour vision at all - this was some 15 years ago when we were less enlightened, than now. He now runs his own thriving electrical business. There were good reasons why we went from red to brown, black to blue and green to stripey all those years ago. If you follow Bob's advice, may the law drop on you from up on high.

Colours changed due to harmonisation to come in line with the rest of europe, not for colour blind sparks!

May be of interest: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/web03.pdf

Phil, The reason I knew was at that time I was sitting on BSI & IEC Electrotechnical Standards committees. I'm trying to think how long ago it was - certainly I had a full head of hair back in those days

For Network Rail, there are lots of competence-specific medical fitness requirements, set out in standard NR/L2/OHS/00124. You need normal colour vision for any role requiring level 1, 2, 5 or 6 fitness, which includes people in charge of possessions, handsignaller, signaller, people running level crossings, various controllers, people working on communications equipment, etc. There are also requirements for visual acuity, hearing, and various odds-and-ends under 'general health' including for example medical conditions likely to cause sudden loss of consciousness. Personally, I just barely scrape through the hearing standard, and give it another five years and I'll probably be failing them.

artist, common occ health problem. what he needs is a trade test/actual risk assessment. Colour vision problems are a spectrum and there are various ways to test them (which the optician might comment on). In real life, colour vision problems may not be so noticeable. I have a bundle of 50+ cables and ask them to pick out different cables. Electrician covers a multitude of jobs so find out what cables he uses and check that he can pick them out safely (or not). Mark occ health doctor