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
Physical Exams for Employment
The performance of physical exams as related to employment provide an important role in assuring fitness for duty, and in the management of workers’ compensation and disability claims. OHS provides physical examination services to meet this need and in addition, we feature several examination protocols for workers in specialty occupations.
A physical examination should help answer the following questions:
- What is the baseline condition of the employee prior to employment.
- Is the
employee or candidate physically / functionally capable of
performing the duties of the job. - Are there
any medical or physical conditions which require
accommodation by the employer. - Are there
any conditions which disqualify the employee from
performing their job due to a law or regulation. - Is there
any prior history of pre-existing injuries, workers’
compensation claims on record. - On a periodic
basis as may be required, does the employee continue
to be medically qualified to perform their job. -
On a periodic basis, has the employee’s medical status changed
as a result of working in a hazardous environment.
- Complete Medical History (past, present, occupational history)
- Vision and hearing screen.
- Vital signs.
- Skin: assess for scars, prior surgeries, etc.
- Examination of major organ systems: heart, lungs, blood vessels, abdominal exam, etc.
- Muscular/joint
function- strength, motion, balance, reflexes.
Specific
Occupations May Require Additional Testing:
Commercial
Drivers License Medical Exams
CDL Exams follow a specific protocol as defined by the Federal Department
of Transportation. Most states have adopted Federal guidelines as
well. Operators of trucks, heavy construction equipment, school
buses, patient transport vans, and others are generally required
to undergo the CDL Medical Exam in order to receive their actual Commercial Drivers License.
Healthcare
/ Public Service/ EMS /Child Daycare Employees
These
employees have direct physical contact with clients or with the
public during the course of their duties. As such, these employees
are at high risk for both transmitting as well as being exposed
to a number of infections. The
following are generally included in screening:
- Tuberculosis Screening
- Hepatitis-B Screening and Vaccination
Food Handlers
With
today’s concern over foodborne illness, it is essential to
screen food handling employees for evidence of infections which
might be transmitted to patrons and co-workers. The most common
screens include the following:
- Stool cultures (salmonella, e-coli, and other intestinal organisims, etc.)
- Stool Parasites (organisms, larvae, eggs, etc.)
- Hepatitis-A
Respirator
Wearers' Medical Exams
Many occupations require the use of a respirator as personal protective
equipment. Firefighters, painters, demolition employees, and others
are required to wear respirators during the course of their jobs.
Their jobs may be strenuous and involve other environmental factors,
such as heat, cold, and confined space. As a result, the wearing
of a respirator requires an exam that the wearer is medically fit
to do so. In addition to a baseline physical, the following may
also be required:
- Chest x-ray
- Spirometry (Pulmonary Function Test)
- Electrocardiogram
- Lab Tests
