HAZWOPER/HAZMAT Medical Exams
18
Oct
Your one stop location for your Employment exam
- Our location has in house;
Digital X Ray
Auditory test
Spirometry test
Chest x-rays
EKG
Drug testing
DOT Exams
WHAT IS A HAZMAT PHYSICAL?
HazMat stands for Hazardous Materials. A HazMat physical is required by OSHA for workers who are exposed to hazardous chemicals or other materials that may cause health problems. These medical surveillance exams must be completed annually (unless stated by physician or if there is a health concern) to ensure that there have been no changes in health that would indicate dangerous exposure to hazardous materials.
HAZWOPER/HAZMAT medical examinations should be developed and used in conjunction with pre-employment screening examinations. Comparison of sequential medical reports with baseline data is essential to determine biologic trends that may mark early signs of adverse health effects, and thereby facilitate appropriate protective measures. The frequency and content of medical examinations will vary, depending on the nature of the work and exposures.
OSHA Medical Screening, Surveillance and Compliance Exams
Exams that are required by OSHA standards at workplaces where exposure to hazardous chemicals or other material may cause a variety of health problems. This includes Pre-Placement exam, Periodic or Annual exam, Emergency or Exposure exam, and Termination exam.
Types include (but not limited to) HAZMAT and HAZWOPER - Arsenic, Asbestos for General Industry and Construction, Benzene, Bloodborne pathogens, Cadmium, Chromium, Cotton Dust, Lead, Methylene Chloride, Silica and more. Also Exams for Respiratory Protection Program Compliance.
What does a HazMat physical consist of?
A HazMat physical is similar to other medical surveillance exams. The physician will review the patient’s medical and work history, paying special attention to any prior exposure to hazardous materials. The physician will also review the employer’s notes that detail the patient’s job description and level of exposure to hazardous materials.
During a HazMat physical, the patient will undergo a regular physical exam. The HazMat physical also requires:
- Blood and urine samples to check for signs of exposure
- Auditory test
- Spirometry test (checks lung function)
- Chest x-rays
- An EKG (checks heart function)
- Work and Medical History Review
- Physical Exam w/ special emphasis on body systems specific to hazard type
- Blood work (CBC, CMP, Heavy Metals, Lipid, Liver enzymes and others)
- Silica Exposure Questionnaire, Respirator Questionnaire
WHAT IS A HAZWOPER PHYSICAL?
HAZWOPER stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. A HAZWOPER physical is required for employees who:
- Are exposed to hazardous substances or health hazards above the permissible exposure levels (PELs) set by OSHA,
- Wear a respirator for 30 days or more a year,
- Become sick from possible overexposure, or
- Work on a HAZMAT team
The HAZWOPER physical must be completed before the employee starts their assignment, after they complete their assignment, and annually throughout the assignment unless the physician states a need for more frequent physical
What does a HAZWOPER physical consist of?
A HAZWOPER physical is like most medical surveillance exams, with special attention on how potential overexposure is impacting different parts of the body. The testing physician will review work and medical history, then perform a respirator evaluation if the employee is required to wear a respirator on the job. The HAZWOPER physical will also assess any abnormalities in function, agility, and strength as appropriate to the role’s demand.
It’s also recommended that patients receive the following diagnostics for their HAZWOPER physical:
- Vision screening
- Spirometry (checks lung function)
- Audiometry
- Liver function tests
- Complete blood count
- Urinalysis
.
The most common types of surveillance testing are summarized below:
Spirometry
Spirometry, also referred to as a Pulmonary Function Test, measures lung function especially with respect to Total Lung Volume (TLV) and Force Expiratory Volume (FEV1). These measurements are compared to established normal values and used to rule out or quantify restrictive lung disease and obstructive lung disease respectively. This test is very useful in determining who can safely wear a respirator, the type of respirator, how many hours per day, and the physicality of the work tolerable while wearing a respirator. Respirators are most commonly worn by individuals working with respiratory toxins (e.g., painters), ERT members, or hazardous waste handlers. Periodic testing, annual or every 2-3 years, will identify greater than expected changes in performance which may be due to exposure or lung disease from non-occupational causes such as smoking.
Audiogram
An Audiogram is a hearing test. Workers exposed to noise equal to or greater than 85 dBA for 8 hours are required by OSHA to be enrolled in a Hearing Conservation Program (HCP) that includes annual audiograms. If the noise is 90 dBA or higher then a time-weighted equivalent is used to determine if a worker needs to participate in an employer-sponsored HCP. A Hearing Conservation Program is designed to identify small losses in hearing to prompt workplace and personal behavior changes including improved hearing protection and noise avoidance so as to prevent additional hearing losses.
Vision Testing
Vision testing is typically performed to measure acuity for distance, depth perception and color blindness where deficits in acuity might present a safety hazard (vehicle operation) or performance issue (electronic wiring). Employee who work with commercial lasers are also required by OSHA to undergo monitoring (laser eye exams) to establish a baseline and observe for new deficits in visual fields typically caused by laser damage or personal illness.
Hazardous Material Surveillance
Hazardous Material surveillance is mandated by OSHA for employees exposed to regulated hazardous materials while at work. Employers must obtain a MSDS for each hazardous material used or stored at the worksite and determine which require OSHA mandated surveillance. For more information, please refer to HazMat physicals or OSHA Hazardous and Toxic Substances.
