Table 7 Medical Surveillance for Employee Categories | |
If the employee is covered by this chapter and is: | Then you must: |
• Exposed for at least 30 days a year to health hazards or hazardous substances at or above the permissible exposure limit or published exposure levels (even when respirators are used), OR • Required to wear a respirator for at least 30 days a year.* | • Offer standard medical surveillance as specified in Table 8.* |
• A hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team member • A hazardous materials specialist | • Provide standard medical surveillance as specified in Table 8. |
• An emergency responder who shows immediate or delayed signs or symptoms possibly resulting from exposure to hazardous substances during an incident. | • Provide incident-specific medical surveillance as specified in Table 8. |
• Not an emergency responder and: - May be injured - Shows immediate or delayed signs or symptoms possibly resulting from exposure to hazardous substances - May have been exposed to hazardous substances at concentrations above the permissible exposure limits (PELs) or the published exposure levels without appropriate PPE. | • Offer incident-specific medical surveillance as specified in Table 8. |
*Note: | A medical evaluation for respirator use is required by chapter 296-842 WAC, Respirators, for those employees who have not been cleared for respirator use during medical surveillance activities. |
Table 8 Frequency of Exams and Consultations | |
If the employee is covered by: | Then medical surveillance must include: |
• Standard medical surveillance | • Exams and consultations: - Before assignment. Note: If the employee is a hazardous materials (HAZMAT) team member or a hazardous materials specialist, the employee must receive a baseline physical examination. - At least once every 12 months after their initial assignment unless the physician believes a shorter, or longer interval (but no more than 24 months) is appropriate. - Whenever employees are reassigned to an area where they will no longer be covered by medical surveillance and they have not been examined within the past 6 months. - As soon as possible after an employee reports: ♦ Signs or symptoms of possible overexposure to hazardous substances or health hazards ♦ Injury ♦ Exposure above the permissible exposure limits or published exposure levels - At the termination of their employment unless they were examined within the past 6 months. |
• Incident-specific medical surveillance | • Medical consultations and exams: - As soon as possible following the incident or development of signs or symptoms. - At additional times, if the physician determines follow-up is medically necessary. |