Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
employees with personal protective equipment and
training them in its proper use and maintenance. Pro-
grams are required by OSHA standards, such as the
standard for respiratory protection (OSHA Standard 29
CFR 1910.134 Respiratory Protection). Personal pro-
tection devices may include earplugs, earmuffs, safety
glasses, and respirators.
standard, but access to the records should be restricted
to health care professionals, the employee and his/her
designee, and appropriate certifying/reviewing offi-
cials. Release of an individual's medical information
must be authorized in writing by that individual.
Immunization Against Possible Occupational
Infections
Evaluation, Inspection, and Abatement of
Workplace Hazards
Protection must be provided to employees against
infections for which effective immunizations are avail-
able.
Occupational health personnel should familiarize
themselves with the workplace, inspect it regularly,
know the jobs and their potential hazards, and make
recommendations for mitigating hazardous situations.
Development of Government Health and Safety
Regulations
Occupational health personnel are uniquely quali-
fied to assist in the interpretation and development of
regulations as they relate to the workplace and the local
community.
Toxicological Assessments
Occupational health personnel should be familiar
with toxicity information on chemicals handled in the
workplace. If the information appears to be inadequate,
recommendations should be made for obtaining addi-
tional information.
Periodic Evaluations of the Occupational and
Environmental Health Program
Regular evaluations of the program are necessary to
ensure that it meets its objectives.
Biostatistics and Epidemiological Assessments
Data on employee work experiences and potential
chemical exposures of workers and the public should
be gathered and retained, and when appropriate should
be used for epidemiological studies to determine
whether any exposures have caused illness. Informa-
tion obtained from these studies can be useful in ensur-
ing that adequate health standards are in place to pro-
tect employees and the public.
Disaster Preparedness Planning
Occupational health personnel should work with
community personnel in preparing for emergencies in
the workplace, as well as for accidental releases from
the plant that might affect the local community. Prepara-
tions are required by Title III of the Superfund Amend-
ments and Reauthorization Act (1986).
Maintenance of Occupational Medical Records
Rehabilitation of Employees with Alcohol and Drug
Dependencies or Emotional Disorders
Occupational medical records should record and
document occupationally related medical information
of all types (e.g., medical examinations, visits to medi-
cal facilities [even for nonoccupational reasons], clini-
cal laboratory data, injuries, pulmonary function tests,
audiograms, etc.). The period of time that records must
be retained is specified by law depending on the type
of data and the health-related agent(s) of concern. In
most cases, OSHA requires that information be retained
for at least 30 years after the termination of employ-
ment (OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.1020 Access to
Employee Exposure and Medical Records). Medical
records should be kept in compliance with the OSHA
Occupational physicians recognize the importance
of trying to rehabilitate employees who have problems
with drug and alcohol abuse. This must be done in a
confidential manner. Some types of work, such as
transportation or military activities, have mandatory
drug screening and rehabilitation programs.
ACOEM's statement on the scope of occupational
and environmental health programs and practice also
includes “elective components of occupational and en-
vironmental health programs.” These might be thought
of as desirable but nonessential components of the pro-
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