Rail Industry Workers are required to undergo health assessments, which can include a drug and alcohol test. If the drug or alcohol test comes back as confirmed positive, the Authorised Health Professional (AHP) records the results on the workers profile. The RIW system automatically places a National block on the worker.

This block is in place with each Network Operator Australia-wide. If any of the Network Operators has a rehabilitation mechanism or policy to support lifting the block on their network, the Network Operator can lift the block for their network only. However, the block will remain in place for all other Network Operators.