MEDICAL CONSULTATION

 

All employees who work with hazardous substances will have an opportunity to receive medical attention, including any follow-up visits which the examining physician determines to be necessary, under the following circumstances:

 

Signs or Symptoms of Exposure

 

Whenever an employee develops signs or symptoms associated with a hazardous substance or organism to which the employee may have been exposed to in the laboratory, the employee will be provided an opportunity to receive an appropriate medical examination.

Exposure Monitoring

 

Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level (or in the absence of an action level, the PEL) for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements, medical surveillance will be established for the affected employee as prescribed by the particular standard.

 

Exposure Incident

 

Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure, the affected employee will be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation. Such consultation will be for the purpose of determining the need for a medical examination.

 

Physical Injury

 

Whenever an employee is physically hurt or injured on the job, the affected employee will be provided an opportunity for a medical consultation and/or examination. Physical injuries include but are not limited to cuts, burns, punctures and sprains.

 

Medical Examinations and Consultations

 

In the event of a life-threatening illness or injury, dial 911 and request an ambulance. Employees with urgent, but non-life-threatening, illnesses or injuries should go to the nearest hospital or medical clinic. If off-hours medical attention is required, the employee should be taken to the nearest emergency room. All medical examinations and consultations will be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and will be provided without cost to the employee, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place.

 

Information Provided to Physician

 

The employee's Supervisor or facility Chemical Hygiene Officer will collect and transmit the following information to the examining physician:

  • The identity of the hazardous substance(s) to which the employee may have been exposed;

  • A description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred including quantitative exposure data, if available; and

  • A description of the signs and symptoms of exposure that the employee is experiencing, if any.

 

Information Provided to Employees Supervisor

 

The Laboratory Supervisor or Chemical Hygiene Officer shall obtain a written opinion from the examining physician which shall include the following:

  • Any recommendation for further medical follow-up.

  • The results of the medical examination and any associated tests.

  • Any medical condition which may be revealed in the course of the examination which may place the employee at increased risk as a result of exposure to a hazardous chemical found in the workplace.

  • A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the consultation or medical examination and any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.

  • The written opinion of the physician shall not reveal specific finding of diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure.