Employers must establish and maintain a system of medical surveillance for all workers exposed to noise at or above the noise limit corresponding to the value of the 8-hour nominal level of 85 dBA at which and above which hearing loss is likely to occur – see Rule 8 of the Noise-induced Hearing Loss Ordinance. (2) The responsible employer shall appoint a company medical director (SOMD) who is responsible for the administration of the medical surveillance program. FOH offers a full range of medical monitoring services that can be customized to your unique business needs and keep you compliant with all applicable regulatory standards. Our reliable, comprehensive and integrated medical surveillance services include: (3) emergency assessment. The competent employer must carry out a medical examination as soon as possible of any worker who may have been exposed to beryllium as a result of a beryllium emergency. The medical assessment must include the requirements of paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Medical examinations and medical follow-up are two basic strategies to optimize the health of employees. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, they are very different concepts. Health screening is essentially only one component of a comprehensive medical surveillance program. The fundamental objective of screening is the early diagnosis and treatment of the individual and therefore has a clinical orientation. The fundamental objective of surveillance is to identify and eliminate underlying causes, such as hazards or exposure to discovered trends, and is therefore focused on prevention. Both can contribute significantly to the success of workplace health and safety programs.
However, OSHA`s “medical surveillance” requirements are generally clinically focused (e.g., medical and occupational history, physical assessment, biological testing), with information drawn from the clinical processes used in the monitoring and analysis elements of medical surveillance. (3) The hematologist or internist shall receive the information provided to the physician in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section and the medical record in accordance with paragraph 197.570(b). Medical follow-up is a complete source of information for the employer. Through regular medical monitoring and analysis of the results obtained, employers would be better able to identify work processes or areas of work that may or may cause harm or injury to workers. The effectiveness of existing prevention strategies can also be assessed by examining and analysing the results of health surveillance of individual workers or groups of workers over time. In fact, medical surveillance acts as a feedback mechanism for employee health concerns and workplace issues. (OSHA, n.d.) (1) Within two weeks after receiving the results, the SOMD shall submit to the responsible employer a written and signed medical report for each medical examination of each worker associated with beryllium. The written report must take into account the findings, findings and recommendations of other medical examiners who may have examined the beryllium-associated worker. The opinion of the SOMD shall include: (1) The responsible employer shall regularly and systematically analyse medical, occupational and exposure data in order to identify individuals or groups of persons potentially at risk of CBD and the working conditions that contribute to this risk. 5. The responsible employer shall provide the SOMD with the information necessary for the operation and management of the medical surveillance programme, including: 1.
If the results of the complete blood count required for the initial or periodic medical examination reveal the presence of any of the following abnormalities, the complete blood count shall be re-examined within four weeks: So what is medical surveillance? This is the systematic assessment of employees who are or are likely to be exposed to occupational risks. Employers carry out such medical surveillance over time, both for individual workers and for groups of workers. The ultimate goal of medical surveillance is to reduce occupational accidents and illnesses among workers. 1. The employer shall ensure that no person performs a benzene operation that exceeds the level criteria set out in paragraph (b) (2) of this Division without having undergone an initial medical examination and annual periodic medical examinations thereafter. Those who have performed benzene treatments in the previous year that exceed the level criteria set out in paragraph (b)(2) of this section must also undergo a regular medical examination, even if they will not perform benzene treatments in the current year. Periodic examinations shall include at least the following: (iii) a statement that the SOMD or medical examiner has clearly explained to the worker the results of the medical examination, including the results of the tests and any medical conditions related to beryllium exposure requiring further assessment or treatment. (1) Within 14 March 1992, the employer shall make available to the workers referred to in paragraph (b) (2) (i) of this section an initial medical examination. Within six months, all initial medical examinations, including those of the workers referred to in (b) (2) (ii), must be carried out and each worker must be informed of the results of the examination carried out by that worker.
OSHA provides employers with comprehensive guidance on how to identify hazards that negatively affect workers` safety and health at work, as well as the relevant levels of medical surveillance required. The intensity of medical surveillance depends on the exposure and toxicity of the hazardous substance to which the employee is exposed.