Are you allowed to legally take steroids if you work on the railway?

Question

Are you allowed to legally take steroids if you work on the railway?

Answer 1

They probably don't check... I say go for it.  

There seems to be some confusion about drug tests... they don't magically tell them all the drugs you've taken - they are specific... opiates, barbituates, etceterates..  They have no reason to test for steroids, so even if the do a "drug test" they won't find what they aren't looking for.

Don't worry about it.  Take the drugs if you want... worry about the side effects of the 'roids, not the p**s test.

Answer 2

I agree with all those who say only if prescribed by your doctor - there are many conditions that require steroid precription such as a massive infection or arthritis.

However, you have not mentioned what job you do - if you are pen pushing, then your contract rules would not as stringent as someone driving a train.

If you are an engineer responsible for mending or upkeep of the railway or a driver, your contract will probably tell you when you have to report certain medications to your employer - if not in the actual contract - it would probably refer you to the staff handbook.

Non prescribed steroids - they are not legal and so the answer would be - no you cannot legally take steroids if you work on the railway - why - because the steroids themselves are illegal.

READ YOUR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

Answer 3

There are a lot of silly answers on here.  It depends what job you do on the railway.  If it is safety critical and you are employed by network rail then you must get in touch with healthcare connections and ask them to confirm wether you are ok to work or not.  They will then send you a faxed copy of a report which will give you an answer.  If you are unsure then speak with human resources they will give you more details.

It doesn't matter if your doctor has prescribed the medicens or not at the end of the day he/she wont lose their job if anything happens.

Answer 4

I talk to a lot of Train Operators who work on LUL. You cant take ANY sort of medicine/steroid if it causes tiredless, drousyness or loss of concerntraition.

Speak to your DSM or DMT about it and you would have to get the substance looked at by the company doctor.

Answer 5

Only if prescribed by your doctor.

Answer 6

If your doctor has prescribed them, then yes but you must advice your line manager because if you have a random D&A (Drugs &  alcohol) test & the steroids turn up in your blood and nobody is advised it could cause you more trouble than its worth.

It looks like the people who have put a thumbs down to my answer do not know the railway & do not work for any of the organizations!!!!

Having worked in the Railway Safety Department here in the UK  I was responsible for organizing the Random Drugs & Alcohol so have had to deal with people who have not advised their line managers & have had to sort out the issues that this has raised. So take my advice if you are taking steroids because your doctor has prescribed them then make sure that you line manager knows. If you are taking them to body build, then you could loose your job, so do not do it.

Joolz

Answer 7

If you have a Safety Critical contract, you will be randomly tested.  If not, you will be only be tested at the start of your contract.

Answer 8

I haven't seen steroids mentioned on any list I have seen as a banned substance for safety critical staff.

Mostly you are tested for drugs that can cause drowsiness and confusion whether they are drugs of abuse or prescription drugs.

But it does say you should remind anyone selling you over the counter drugs or your doctor you are subject to drug testing and safety critical work.

If in doubt ask your manager or phone Healthcare connections.

After all if you partake in safety critical work and you have drugs of such type in your body,or have alcohol in you and something goes wrong....you stand a good chance of getting hurt or hurting someone else,and I don't think anyone wants to do that.

And there would be very little doubt you'd hang on to your job...and future employers would take a dim view of a previous employment terminated by any railway company due to failing a drug test.

Best thing is....if in doubt...don't take them.

Answer 9

You need to speak to your Occupational Health people for full advice on this, relying on YA could lose you your job.

Answer 10

No, you can only legally take steroids if they are prescribed to you by your doctor for a legitimate medical condition.

Answer 11

no definitely not. take it from me im a engineer...

Answer 12

i dont think you can