Step one: | Select an appropriate licensed health care professional (LHCP) who will conduct or supervise examinations and procedures. |
• If the LHCP is not a licensed physician, make sure individuals who conduct pulmonary function tests have completed a training course in spirometry sponsored by an appropriate governmental, academic, or professional institution. | |
Step two: | Make sure the LHCP receives all of the following information before the medical evaluation is performed: |
• A copy of: | |
– This chapter. | |
– The following information found in the General occupational health standards, chapter 296-62 WAC: | |
■ The Substance safety data sheet, WAC 296-62-07383(1) Appendix A. | |
■ The Substance technical guidelines, WAC 296-62-07385(2) Appendix B. | |
■ Medical surveillance guidelines, WAC 296-62-07387(3) Appendix C. | |
• A description of the duties of the employee being evaluated and how these duties relate to EtO exposure. | |
• The anticipated or representative exposure monitoring results for the employee being evaluated. | |
• A description of the personal protective equipment (PPE) and respirators each employee being evaluated uses or will use. | |
• Information from previous employment-related examinations when this information is not available to the examining LHCP. | |
• Instructions that the written opinions the LHCP provides you be limited to the following information: | |
– Whether or not medical conditions were found that would increase the employee's risk for impairment from exposure to EtO. | |
– Any recommended limitations for EtO exposure and use of respirators or other PPE. | |
– A statement that the employee has been informed of medical results and medical conditions caused by EtO exposure requiring further examination or treatment. | |
Step three: | Make medical evaluations available to the employee. Make sure they include the content listed in Table 3, Content of Medical Evaluations. |
Step four: | Obtain the LHCP's written opinion for the employee's medical evaluation and make sure the employee receives a copy within five business days after you receive the written opinion. |
• Make sure the written opinion is limited to the information specified for written opinions in Step two. |
Note: | • If the written opinion contains specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure, send it back and obtain a revised version without the additional information. |
When conducting: | Include: |
An initial and annual evaluation | • A work history and medical history that includes emphasis on: |
– Pulmonary, hematological, neurological, reproductive systems; | |
and | |
– The eyes and skin. | |
• A physical examination that includes emphasis on: | |
– Pulmonary, hematological, neurological, and reproductive systems; | |
and | |
– The skin and eyes. | |
• A complete blood count including a: | |
– White cell count with differential | |
– Red cell count | |
– Hematocrit | |
– Hemoglobin. | |
• Additional examinations the licensed health care professional (LHCP) believes appropriate based on the employee's exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO) or respirator use. | |
• Additional testing: | |
– Pregnancy test, and laboratory evaluation for fertility if requested by employee and approved by evaluating LHCP. | |
Evaluations due to termination of employment | • The same content as specified for initial and annual evaluations. |
Evaluations due to reassignment to an area where EtO exposure is below the AL | • The same content as specified for initial and annual evaluations. |
• As determined by the LHCP. | |
Evaluations due to exposure during an emergency | • The same content as specified for initial and annual evaluations. |
Evaluations triggered by employee signs and symptoms commonly associated with overexposure to EtO or a request for reproductive advice | • The content of medical examinations and consultations will be determined by the examining LHCP. |
– Pregnancy test, and laboratory evaluation for fertility if requested by employee and approved by evaluating LHCP. | |
Evaluations determined necessary by LHCP for exposed employees | • The content of medical examinations and consultations will be determined by the examining LHCP. |