Type 1 diabetes

[Danny Dire]

How does the above mentioned condititon affect Safety critical workers?

 

[156441]

Unfortunately at present it stops safety critical work altogether. Although several high profile cases including fire fighters and paramedics have been through court recently and won on disability discrimination cases. Reasonable adjustments can be made for type 1 diabetics but unfortunately companies (and no doubt posters on here) still have a draconian view of type 1 diabetics.

 

[Cheshiretrain]

Hey Danny read this useful link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-183860/The-truth-diabetes.html

 

[Danny Dire]

Thanks to both of you.
I shall pass this on to the young lad who was going to apply to TPE. He would have been very good too, excellent customer service and very meticulous in his work. Shame.

 

[BromleyBoi]

I know that the situation with Type 1 Diabitis has also changed with regard to vocational driving licenses as well eg PSV & HGV.
It used to be that as soon as you were diagnosed the license was withdrawn permanently.
Since the change in legislation as soon as you are diagnosed with type 1 the vocational licenses are now suspended until you can prove you've been hypo/hyper glycemic attack free for at least 6 months and are subject to more frequent medical examinations.
I understand the differences between driving on a road and the railways but I'd hope that the change in legislation would open up some of the more station based roles at least to people with the illness subject to proving they are attack free for a set period.

 

[Cheshiretrain]

Being hypo/hyper glycemic attack free for 6 months would be a near impossibility for a type 1 . For example if your are in a really deep sleep and your sugar levels drop. Your body wont automatically wake up until your sugar levels are dangerously low.

 

[Flamingo]

Thanks to both of you.
I shall pass this on to the young lad who was going to apply to TPE. He would have been very good too, excellent customer service and very meticulous in his work. Shame.

Lots of railway jobs are non safety-critical, and would suit somebody with his skills. Just because he can't be a driver or guard doesn't mean there would be no career prospects.

 

[Danny Dire]

Lots of railway jobs are non safety-critical, and would suit somebody with his skills. Just because he can't be a driver or guard doesn't mean there would be no career prospects.

Thanks Flamingo, I've told him that "behind the scenes" work can be varied & rewardng, but he'd set himself on a front line operational position.

He's aleady earning more than a guard in his current role, and he'll be on a lot more in a few years. I guess money isn't his motivation.

 

[156441]

Being hypo/hyper glycemic attack free for 6 months would be a near impossibility for a type 1 . For example if your are in a really deep sleep and your sugar levels drop. Your body wont automatically wake up until your sugar levels are dangerously low.

Absolute tosh.

I've known diabetics go years once they are in a decent routine without so much as a minor hyper/hypo. Modern insulin pump technology also helps as the body is constantly monitored and sufficient insulin slowly released throughout the day.

 

[Cheshiretrain]

As far as I was aware almost everyone with Type 1 diabetes will have a hypo at some stage.

 

[156441]

No and sadly that is the attitude of most employers and government agencies hence the reason diabetics are frowned upon.
Well regulated diabetics should have no problems maintaining blood sugars at all on a day to day basis.

The only time this would differ is if they had a secondary illness.

 

[train_lover]

You are all wrong. I have spoke with the train drivers union and with a TOC and they have both confirmed that with good control and that you can show that you can manage it, it won't stop you from doing the role of a train driver.

 

[TheEdge]

I've heard it can be possible to get away in safety critical position with Type 2 diabetes as long as it is either well managed and/or can be controlled by diet alone. Not sure about Type 1 though.

Not sure why he couldn't be a guard. I went through all the medicals for conductor and no peeing in a pot or prick tests. (And yes, I'm fully aware of the innuendo there!)

 

[Harlesden]

Unfortunately at present it stops safety critical work altogether. Although several high profile cases including fire fighters and paramedics have been through court recently and won on disability discrimination cases. Reasonable adjustments can be made for type 1 diabetics but unfortunately companies (and no doubt posters on here) still have a draconian view of type 1 diabetics.

How is it a "draconian" view?
Complications may arise from both low blood sugar and high blood sugar, both due to the non-physiological manner in which insulin is replaced. Low blood sugar may lead to seizures or episodes of unconsciousness, and requires emergency treatment. High blood sugar may lead to increased fatigue and can cause long-term damage to organs.
I have seen someone pass out at work due to low blood sugar.
The idea of a firefighter with Type 1 Diabetes is, quite frankly, terrifying

 

[richw]

How is it a "draconian" view?
Complications may arise from both low blood sugar and high blood sugar, both due to the non-physiological manner in which insulin is replaced. Low blood sugar may lead to seizures or episodes of unconsciousness, and requires emergency treatment. High blood sugar may lead to increased fatigue and can cause long-term damage to organs.
I have seen someone pass out at work due to low blood sugar.
The idea of a firefighter with Type 1 Diabetes is, quite frankly, terrifying

Your Draconian view is evidenced within this post, and shows a strong lack of understanding modern treatments. A type 1 diabetic managing their health correctly will suffer no problems what so ever. The NHS website has a 6 tab feature which will explain all you need to know about living with Type 1 in the modern age, and as long as medication controlled correctly along with a healthy diet, and suitable exercise, the risk of seizure if very low, almost as low as a normal healthy person having a seizure.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

The risks of low blood sugar are confusion and fatigue descending into unconsciousness and coma. The risks of high blood sugars are vomiting, pain, altered respiratory patterns and coma again. Both are medical emergencies.

 

[richw]

The risks of low blood sugar are confusion and fatigue descending into unconsciousness and coma. The risks of high blood sugars are vomiting, pain, altered respiratory patterns and coma again. Both are medical emergencies.

But well managed the blood sugar level will stay normal. It involves living a strict lifestyle, but is manageable.

 

[train_lover]

The risks of low blood sugar are confusion and fatigue descending into unconsciousness and coma. The risks of high blood sugars are vomiting, pain, altered respiratory patterns and coma again. Both are medical emergencies.

You don't just fall into a coma. This is a typical view of uneducated people. Your body sends out warning signals before reaching a coma. Can I also point out ANY human can become a 'medical emergency' at any given point.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

But well managed the blood sugar level will stay normal. It involves living a strict lifestyle, but is manageable.

Yes, it is manageable but very difficult (or so both IDDM and NIDDM patients tell me). It's also very easy to get it wrong.

You don't just fall into a coma.

I think you'll find at no point did I say diabetics suddenly become comatose without any prior warning at all.

This is a typical view of uneducated people.

Can I also point out ANY human can become a 'medical emergency' at any given point.

Yes they can. But the risk of becoming ill is greater with someone who already has a pre-existing disease. Or do you not understand that?

 

[train_lover]

You are all wrong. I have spoke with the train drivers union and with a TOC and they have both confirmed that with good control and diabetesou can show that you can manage it, it won't stop you from doing the role of a train driver.

Yes, it is manageable but very difficult (or so both IDDM and NIDDM patients tell me). It's also very easy to get it wrong.

I think you'll find at no point did I say diabetics suddenly become comatose without any prior warning at all.



Yes they can. But the risk of becoming ill is greater with someone who already has a pre-existing disease. Or do you not understand that?

Do you have type 1?


I am a type 1 diabetic and I cause no risk to anyone! To the point my toc have put me forward for the position of a train driver. I have seen more people without diabetes become medical emergencies than people with. Due to the strict diet diabetics need to have.

 

[156441]

Well I did some research last night and train_lover is right. Type 1 diabetics (according to the RSSB guidelines reissued 2012) can perform safety critical work including train driving. It is however upto the employee and employer agreeing a safe system of work.

That is very interesting news indeed and I'm glad you brought this to our attention mate.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
For your information as well I am very well versed in diabetes as I did a research paper into it and the effects of it on Emergency service personnel around about 5 years ago. This is where the info on the firefighter with type one came from.

Whoever called it scary above is living in the past and needs to understand the condition better.

 

[train_lover]

Well I did some research last night and train_lover is right. Type 1 diabetics (according to the RSSB guidelines reissued 2012) can perform safety critical work including train driving. It is however upto the employee and employer agreeing a safe system of work.

That is very interesting news indeed and I'm glad you brought this to our attention mate.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
For your information as well I am very well versed in diabetes as I did a research paper into it and the effects of it on Emergency service personnel around about 5 years ago. This is where the info on the firefighter with type one came from.

Whoever called it scary above is living in the past and needs to understand the condition better.

I salute you. All faith in humanity is restored