HAZWOPER 8-Hour Refresher Course

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HAZWOPER MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE
International Environmental Technology and
Training Center
Working safely with hazardous materials
Vincent J. Giblin, General President
1293 Airport Road, Beaver, WV 25813 Phone (304)
253-8674 - Fax [phone] E-mail
hazmat_at_iuoeiettc.org
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• This material was produced under grant number
  46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health
  Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It
  does not necessarily reflect the views or
  policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
  does mention of trade names, commercial products,
  or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
  Government.

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Medical Surveillance ProgramAN INTRODUCTION

• Workers handling hazardous wastes can experience
  high levels and various types of stress.

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Who writes the medical surveillance program?

• An experienced occupational health physician or
  another qualified consultant with the Site Safety
  Officer.

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What is the purpose of the medical surveillance
program?

• Assess/monitor worker health and fitness
• Before and during the
  course of work
• For possible overexposures.

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What is the purpose of the medical surveillance
program?

• Provide emergency/other treatment.
• Keep accurate records for future
  reference/comparison.

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Medical Surveillance ProgramEMPLOYERS
RESPONSIBILITY

• Establish a medical surveillance program for
  each site based on
• Specific needs
• Location
• Potential exposure
  of employees.

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What should a medical surveillance program
include, at a minimum?

• Employees covered.
• Frequency and content of medical
  exams/consultations.

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What should a medical surveillance program
include, at a minimum?

• Information provided to physician.
• Physician's written opinion.
• Record keeping.

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Which employees are covered under the program?

• Workers who
• May be or are exposed to concentrations above
  PEL/TLV without regard to use of respirators, for
  30 days/yr.

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Which employees are covered under the program?

• Workers who
• Wear respirators for 30 days/yr (or) are
  required to by OSHA.

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Which employees are covered under the program?

• Workers who
• Exhibit symptoms of injury, illness, or
  overexposure
• HAZMAT team members.

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When and how often should medical exams be
conducted?

• Performed by/under the supervision of a licensed
  physician.
• At no cost to the employee.
• At a reasonable time.
• Without loss of pay.
• Following a specific schedule.

Document
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Medical Exam Schedule

• Prior to assignment.
• Periodically.
• At termination/reassignment.
• Exhibiting signs/symptoms.
• Determined by a physician.

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Medical Exam SchedulePRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

• Determine workers fitness for duty
• Occupational/medical history
• Physical examination.

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Medical Exam SchedulePRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

• Determine workers fitness for duty
• Ability to work wearing PPE
• Baseline medical data for evaluating
  program effectiveness.

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Medical Exam SchedulePERIODICALLY

• Once/yr. no less than once/2 yrs.

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Medical Exam ScheduleEXHIBITING SIGNS/SYMPTOMS

• Worker
• Exhibits signs/symptoms of over exposure or
  injury
• Exposed to excessive
  concentrations during
  an emergency.

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Medical Exam ScheduleDETERMINED BY PHYSICIAN

• On-site physician determines exam to be a medical
  necessity.
• Off-site medical professionals should also
  investigate/treat non-job related illnesses that
  may put workers at risk.

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What are the medical record-keeping requirements?

• Employee name and ssn.
• Physicians written opinion.
• Employee medical complaints.
• Employee information provided by employer to
  physician.

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Employer's Responsibilities Required by OSHA

• Maintain/preserve medical records for 30 yrs.
  after employment.
• Make available the results of medical testing,
  analysis, and full medical records.
• Maintain records of occupational
  injuries/illnesses and post a yearly report.

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How often must the medial surveillance program be
re-evaluated or reviewed?

• Annually -
  by the site safety officer,
  medical consultant, and/or
  management.
• Assists in rating HASPs over-all effectiveness.

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Re-Evaluated or Reviewed Items

• Verification that each accident/illness was
  promptly investigated.
• Efficiency of specific medical testing.
• Added/deleted medical tests.

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Re-Evaluated or Reviewed Items

• Potential exposures.
• Emergency treatment procedures.

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HAZWOPER 8-Hour TrainingUpdate Worker on Recent
Developments
Details
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Medical Surveillance ProgramUPDATE

• Revised Injury/illness Record Keeping Rule.
• Effective as of January 1, 2002.
• Scope.
• OSHA Forms.
• Work related.
• Recording criteria.
• Day counts.

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Medical Surveillance ProgramUPDATE

• Revised Injury/illness Record Keeping Rule.
• Annual summary.
• Employee involvement.
• Protecting privacy.
• Reporting information to the government.

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• This material was produced under grant number
  46C5-HT16 from the Occupational Safety and Health
  Administration, U.S. Department of Labor. It
  does not necessarily reflect the views or
  policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
  does mention of trade names, commercial products,
  or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S.
  Government.

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END

• This publication was made possible by grant
  numbers 5 U45 ES06182-13 AND 5 U45 ES09763-13
  from the National Institute of Environmental
  Health Sciences (NIEHS), NIH. Its contents are
  solely the responsibility of the authors and do
  not necessarily represent the official views of
  the NIEHS, NIH.