What is occupational Health?

Occupational health is a field of healthcare involving multiple fields dedicated to the well-being and safety of employees in the workplace, with a strong focus on injury prevention and education. Some occupational health services include employee wellness, Pre-placement services, ergonomics, occupational therapy, and occupational medicine.

Occupational health refers to the identification and control of the risks arising from physical, chemical, and other workplace hazards in order to establish and maintain a safe and healthy working environment. These hazards may include chemical agents and solvents, heavy metals such as lead and mercury, physical agents such as loud noise or vibration, and physical hazards such as electricity or dangerous machinery.

Since 1986, the NIEHS has supported training and education programs designed to protect workers and their communities from exposure to toxic materials encountered during hazardous waste operations and chemical emergency response. This includes safety and health training for workers who are involved in hazardous waste removal and comprehensive training and environmental restoration for residents living near heavily polluted industrial waste sites.

 

 

Testing/Examination

Definition

Audiogram

Audiogram: Test that shows a person’s hearing ability.  Must be a calibrated machine.
Blood Collection: Blood needs to be drawn, sent to the lab to test, and then the report gets sent back to the clinic for the doctor to review/sign off.
Arsenic, Blood: Blood test used to measure the amount of arsenic.
Arsenic, Urine—7 ml urine collected in plastic container per Amy: Urine test used to measure the amount of arsenic

 

“Refrain from eating seafood and taking herbal

supplements for at least 3 days before specimen

collection.”

Dipstick Urinalysis: Urine test strip is used to process results based on the color change from the strip. Part of the non-DOT physical.
Micro Urinalysis: Test that examines urine under a microscope. This test is used to assess the condition of the kidney and urinary tests. (sent out to lab)
Basic Metabolic Panel: Measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, and kidney function. Fasting is required.
Benzene Blood: Blood test used to determine benzene exposure.
Beryllium Urine: Tests exposure levels.
Beryllium Blood: Test that measures beryllium sensitization, which is an “allergic” reaction to beryllium.
Cadmium OSHA Panel: Tests for blood cadmium, urine cadmium, urine Beta 2 Microglobulin, and urine creatinine.
Lead/ZPP (Blood): Used to evaluate the concentration of lead in the blood at the time of collection. The results come back in 2 parts – Lead and Zinc (ZPP).
CBC with Differentials: Measures Complete Blood Count.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel: Measures your sugar (glucose) level, electrolyte and fluid balance, kidney function, and liver function. Fasting is required.
Chem 23: Combination of comprehensive metabolic panel and lipid profile. Fasting is required.
Chromium Urine: Used to monitor industrial exposures to chromium.
Chromium Blood: Used to monitor industrial exposures to chromium.
Fasting Glucose Test: Measures blood glucose levels. Fasting is required.
Lipid Panel (contractors over 40): Cholesterol Test- Fasting Required 8-12hours
MMR Titer: Blood test to determine if someone is immune/not immune to MMR.
Hepatitis B Titer: Blood test to determine if someone is immune/not immune to Hepatitis B.
Hepatitis A Titer: Blood test to determine if someone is immune/not immune to Hepatitis A.
Hepatitis C Titer: Blood test to determine if someone is immune/not immune to Hepatitis C.
Varicella Titer: Blood test to determine if someone is immune/not immune to Varicella.
 

Body Metrics

ASR Measurements: Body Measurements such as height, weight, shoulder to shoulder, floor to waist, etc.

EKG

EKG: Electrocardiogram (ECG). Tests for problems with the electrical activity of your heart.

Lift Assessment / Functional Capacity Evaluation

Lift Test: Test used to determine if person can safely lift 50#.
Lift Test 2: Test used to determine if person can safely lift 50-100#.
Musculoskeletal Assessment: Physical examination with emphasis on movements of the muscle and joints.

Physical

Allegis- Non-DOT History and Physical: Basic physical – determines “fit for duty”. Components include: basic vision, vitals, physical, dipstick UA & review of basic health history.
Back Evaluation: Movement controlled tests for the lower back.
Physical Abilities Test (PAT) *Human Performance Evaluation (HPE) when at Concentra.: Includes a physical, lift test, and range of motion.  Usually a custom test that has client specific forms.
Allegis DOT Physical (prior internal approval needed): A physical examination required by the Department of Transportation for drivers carrying commercial loads on public roads.

Physician Review of Questionnaire

Allegis- Consent Form (Required for all medical): Contractor’s consent for the clinic to release exam results to eScreen, eScreen notifies Aerotek of results.

Respirator Certification

Allegis- OSHA Questionnaire: Physician reviews OSHA questionnaire for respirator clearance and to determine if additional services are needed.
Spirometry (PFT) includes OSHA Questionnaire:

 

Measures how well the lungs take in and release air. Respirator Clearance given based off the PFT and OSHA Questionnaire.

 

Respirator Fit Test, Qualitative: Procedure relies on taste, irritation, and smell while fitting the mask. Dependent on applicant’s perception. Contractor needs to bring mask to clinic (unless clinic has the mask).
Respirator Fit Test, Quantitative:

 

Uses an instrument that samples and measures airborne particulates inside the mask. Contractor needs to bring mask to clinic. **Porta Count Machine Required to perform the test.

Vaccinations

MMR Booster Vaccine: (Measles, Mumps, Rubella): immunization shot against measles, mumps, and rubella.  **Live vaccine so if varicella vaccine is needed they must be given both within 24 hours of each other – if not they have to wait 30 days.
Hepatitis B Vaccine: Contains no live virus and is a 3 shot series. The2nd dose given 4 weeks after the first, and the 3rd dose given 5 months after the 2nd.
Hepatitis A Vaccine: Contains no live virus and is a 2 dose series. The 2nd dose is needed at least 6 months after the first.
Hepatitis A & B Twinrix: Combination vaccine against Hep A and B. Twinrix is given in a 3 shot series- 2nd dose 1 month after the first, and 3rd dose 6 months after that.
Influenza Vaccine: (flu) given to protect against the flu- recommended to get done one a year.
Varicella Vaccine: Live virus that protects against chickenpox. **Live vaccine so if MMR vaccine is needed they must be given within 24 hours of each other – if not they have to wait 30 days.
Tdap Vaccine: Contains no live virus; protects against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis. Person should receive every 10 years.
TB/PPD Skin Test- 1 step only:

 

Skin test used to determine if someone has developed an immune response to the bacterium that causes TB. Contractor returns 48-72 hrs for read.
TB/PPD Test 1: TB 2 step test: used to detect individuals with past TB infection who now have diminished skin test reactivity.
TB/PPD Test 2: 2 requests need to be submitted at the same time. 1 for step 1, 2nd for 7 days after the 1st test.

Vision

Vision Test, Ishihara: Tests color vision.
Vision Test, Titmus: Tests near, far, and peripheral vision; color (standard test to make sure they can distinguish between red, green and amber). Titmus requires the machine.
Vision Test, Snellen: Wall chart used to measure vision acuity.
Vision Test, Jaeger: Printed letters (on a card) of different sizes used to test near vision.

X-rays

Back X-ray 2 view: Lumbar view of spine
Back X-ray 3 view: Lumbar view of spine
TB Chest X-ray: Determines if there is a presence of Tuberculosis.
Chest x-ray 1 view: PA View.
Chest x-ray 2 view: PA & Lateral View.