HazMat Exams



Occupational Health Services of Norwalk Hospital 520 West Avenue Norwalk, CT 06850 Phone: 203-852-2417 Fax: 203-852-2310 Email: occhealth@norwalkhealth.org www.occhealthnorwalk.org		Hazmat Exams Employees who work with or may potentially be exposed to hazardous materials are required to undergo exposure-specific baseline and periodic testing to assess their ongoing health status. Examples include asbestos abatement, demolition, and chemical industry workers. Other occupations include members of municipal emergency response teams who deal with chemical spills, biological hazards, or respond to presumed bioterrorism incidents. In addition to requiring specific biological monitoring, medical clearance to wear a respirator may be required. Since the wearing of a respirator takes physical effort, and may also entail the wearing of other heavy gear, with response to extremes of hot and cold, the Hazmat exam may require several components. Hazmat exams may be performed upon new hire or starting a new assignment, periodically during the year, and upon exit from the job. The purpose of multiple testing is to identfy any trends as a result of potential chemical exposure.
		Core Components (may vary by employer requirement) • Medical, Occupational, Respiratory History • Physical Exam • Vital Signs • Spirometry • Audiometry (hearing) • Electrocardiogram • Chest Xray with B-reader interpretation • Lab: Chem profile, Target Organ Assessment Specific Analyses (Examples) • Lead • Zinc • Arsenic • Cadmium • Mercury • Benzene • PCB's • Organophosphates