DOD 6055.5-M   OCCUPATIONAL MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE MANUAL   MAY 1998     OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND TECHNOLOGY

FOREWORD

This Manual is reissued under the authority of Department of Defense Instruction 6055.5 (reference (a)).

DoD 6055.5-M "Occupational Health Surveillance Manual," July 1982, is hereby canceled.

This Manual applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense; the Military Departments, including the National Guard Bureau; the Chairman of the Joints Chiefs of Staff; the Combatant Commands; and the Defense Agencies (hereafter referred to collectively as "the DoD Components"). Its provisions encompass job-related medical monitoring of DoD military and civilian workers. This Manual does not apply to employees of contractors. However, it could be used as a model during contract negotiations.

The purpose of this Manual is to provide minimum standards for medical surveillance programs and to help occupational health professionals and others recognize and evaluate health risks associated with specific workplace exposures. Chapter 1 describes the general requirements for medical surveillance, types of examinations, and record keeping. Chapter 2 describes Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) related medical surveillance. Chapter 3 includes additional medical surveillance protocols endorsed by the Department of Defense where OSHA does not provide guidance. Medical surveillance protocols in Chapters 2 and 3 are grouped by chemical, physical, or biological stressors or by occupational groups.

This Manual is effective immediately. The heads of the DoD Components may issue supplementary guidance when necessary. This version of the Manual has been prepared by the DoD Occupational Health and Medical Surveillance Coordinating Committee of the DoD Safety and Occupational Health (SOH) Committee. This coordinating committee shall:

1. Periodically review this Manual and expeditiously recommend to the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Safety and Occupational Health Policy) changes, additions, or deletions as necessary to ensure compliance with current scientific knowledge, professional practice, and OSHA standards.

2. When necessary, propose alternate or supplementary standards, as defined by Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1960 (reference (b)), and DoD Instruction 6055.1 (reference (c)), for medical surveillance.

3. Serve as a technical advisor to the SOH Committee.

Send recommended changes to the Manual to:

Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Safety and Occupational Health Policy)
3400 Defense Pentagon, Room 3E792
Washington, DC 20301-3400

The DoD Components may obtain copies of this Publication through their own Publications channels. Approved for public release; distribution unlimited. Authorized registered users may obtain copies of this Publication from the Defense Technical Information Center, 8725 John J. Kingman Road, Ft Belvoir, VA 22060-6218. Other Federal Agencies and the public may obtain copies from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161. Electronic versions will also be posted to the World Wide Web home page for the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Safety and Occupational Health Policy (ADUSD(ES/S&OHP)) at https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Redirect/redirect.cgi?url=http://www.acq.osd.mil/ens/sh.

Sherri W. Goodman
Deputy Under Secretary of Defense
(Environmental Security)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Table of Contents
Figure
Tables
References
Definitions

CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INFORMATION

C1.1. Introduction

C1.1.1. Purpose
C1.1.2. Scope

C1.2. Requirements

C1.2.1 Workplace Exposures
C1.2.2 Work-Related Health Risks

C1.3. Occupational Evaluation Types

C1.3.1. Preplacement or Baseline
C1.3.2. Periodic
C1.3.3. Termination
C1.3.4. Situtational

C1.4. Occupational Medical Examinations

C1.4.1. Background Information
C1.4.2. Fitness and Risk Determination
C1.4.3. Occupational Medical Surveillance
C1.4.4. Personnel Policy Enforcement
C1.4.5. Employee Health Promotion
C1.4.6. Regulatory Compliance

C1.5. Occupational Medical Examination Process

C1.5.1. Identifying Workers Who Need Occupational Medical Examinations
C1.5.2. Determining Evaluation Content and Developing Protocols
C1.5.3. Performing the Evaluation
C1.5.4. Record Keeping (Documenting Examination Results)
C1.5.5. Informing the Worker of Examination Results
C1.5.6. Counseling and Education Concerning Identified Health Risks
C1.5.7. Medical Determinations and Recommendations
C1.5.8. Recommended Disqualification Procedure
C1.5.9. Epidemiology (Reviewing Aggregate Data)
C1.5.10. Changing Medical Surveillance Procedures

CHAPTER 2. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE FOR OSHA-REGULATED EXPOSURES

C2.1. Introduction

C2.1.1. History
C2.1.2. Mandated Medical Surveillance Examinations
C2.1.3. What is Not Included

C2.2. Medical Surveillance

C2.2.1. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Chemical Hazards
C2.2.2. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Biological Hazards and Physical Hazards
C2.2.3. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Occupational Groups
C2.2.4. Recommended Medical Surveillance for Z-Table Substances
C2.2.5. Abbreviations used in Table 2-1 to 2-5

CHAPTER 3. MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

C3.1. Introduction

C3.2. Medical Surveillance

C3.2.1. Chemical Hazards
C3.2.2. Biological Hazards
C3.2.3. Occupational Groups

APPENDICES

AP1. DD Form 2493-1 (Asbestos Exposure)
AP2. DD Form 2493-2 (Asbestos Exposure)
AP3. Physician�s Written Opinion
AP4. Semiannual Blood Lead Monitoring
AP5. Hepatitis B Vaccine Declination

FIGURE

1. Semiannual Blood Lead Monitoring

TABLES

REFERENCES

(a) DoD Instruction 6055.5, "Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Health," January 10, 1989
(b) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1960, "Basic Program Elements for Federal Employee Occupational Safety and Healh Programs and Related Matters
(c) DoD Instruction 6055.1, "DoD Occupational Safety and Health Program," October 26, 1984
(d) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1000, "Air Contaminants," current edition
(e) American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Documentation of the Threshold Limit Values and Biological Exposure Indices, current edition
(f) DoD Directive 6490.2, "Joint Medical Surveillance," August 30, 1997
(g) DoD Instruction 6490.3, "Implementation and Application of Joint Medical Surveillance for Deployments," August 7, 1997
(h) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1001, "Asbestos," current edition
(i) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.120, "Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response," current edition
(j) Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 339, "Medical Qualifications Determinations," current edition
(k) Section 651 et seq. of title 29, United States Code, "Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970," as amended
(l) Executive Order 12196, "Occupational Safety and Health Program for Federal Employees," July 1, 1980
(m) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1043, "Cotton Dust," current edition
(n) Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 391.41-49, "Physical Qualifications and Examinations," current edition
(o) USPHS (CDC). NIOSH pocket guide to chemical hazards. Atlanta:DHHS (NIOSH), Publication 90-117, June 1990
(p) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.134, "Respiratory Protection," current edition
(q) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1014, "2-Acetylaminofluorene," current edition
(r) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1045, "Acrylonitrile," current edition
(s) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1011, "4-Aminodiphenyl," current edition
(t) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1018, "Inorganic arsenic," current edition
(u) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926.1101, "Asbestos," current edition
(v) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1915.1001, "Asbestos," current edition
(w) OSHA Interpretation Letter from Mr. John B. Miles, Jr., Director of Field Operations to Mr. Adams, "Medical surveillance provisions of the revised asbestos standard for employees no longer exposed above the action level," December 31, 1986
(x) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1028, "Benzene," current edition
(y) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1010, "Benzidine," current edition
(z) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1051, "1,3 Butadiene," current edition
(aa) Title 29, Code of Federal of Regulations, Part 1910.1027, "Cadmium," current edition
(bb) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1008, "bis-Chloromethyl ether," current edition
(cc) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1029, "Coke oven emissions," current edition.
(dd) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1002, "Coal tar pitch volatiles," current edition
(ee) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1044, "1-2-dibromo-3-chloropropane," current edition
(ff) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1007, "3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine," current edition
(gg) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1015, "4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene," current edition
(hh) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1012, "Ethyleneimine," current edition
(ii) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1047, "Ethylene oxide," current edition
(jj) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1048, "Formaldehyde," current edition
(kk) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1025, "Lead," current edition
(ll) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1926.62, "Lead in Construction," current edition
(mm) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1050, "Methylenedianiline," current edition
(nn) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1006, "Methyl chloromethyl ether," current edition
(oo) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1052, "Methylene chloride," current edition
(pp) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1004, "alpha-Napthylamine," current edition
(qq) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1009, "beta-Napthylamine," current edition
(rr) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1003, "4-Nitrobiphenyl," current edition
(ss) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1016, "N-Nitrosodimethylamine," current edition
(tt) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1013, "beta-Propiolactone," current edition
(uu) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.94, "Ventilation," current edition
(vv) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1017, "Vinyl chloride," current edition
(ww) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.1030, "Bloodborne Pathogens," current edition
(xx) Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1910.95, "Occupational noise exposure," current edition
(yy) DoD Instruction 6055.12, "DoD Hearing Conservation Program," April 22, 1996
(zz) NIOSH/OSHA/USCG/EPA. Occupational safety and health guidance manual for hazardous waste site activities. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 85-115, 1985
(aaa) American National Standards Institute, Inc. American national standard for respiratory protection--respirator use: physical qualifications for personnel (ANSI Z-88.6) 1984
(bbb) Key MM, et al., editors. Occupational diseases--A guide to their recognition. Atlanta:USPHS (CDC), 1977
(ccc) Sullivan JB, Krieger GR, editors. Hazardous materials toxicology. Baltimore: Williams and Wilkins, 1992
(ddd) Hathaway GJ, Proctor NH, Hughes JP, Fischman ML. Chemical hazards of the workplace. 3rd ed. New York:JB Lippincott Co., 1991
(eee) Zenz C, Dickerson OB, Horvath EP, editors. Occupational medicine, 3rd ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1994
(fff) DA Pam 40-8, "Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure to Nerve Agents GA, GB, and VX," December 4, 1990
(ggg) DA Pam 40-173, "Occupational Health Guidelines for the Evaluation and Control of Occupational Exposure to Mustard Agents H, HD, and HT," August 30, 1991
(hhh) CDC. Recommendations for protecting human health against long-term exposure to low doses of chemical warfare agents. MMWR 1988;37(5):72-42,79
(iii) 55 FR 217, 46948-46950, Final Rule: Grant of Partial Stay for Nitroglycerin," November 8, 1990
(jjj) California Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Guidelines for physicians who supervise workers exposed to cholinesterase-inhibiting pesticides. 3rd ed. 1995
(kkk) Hayes WJ. Pesticides studied in man. Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins, 1982.p 309
(lll) Lawry RR, Hoet P. Industrial chemical exposure: guidelines for biological monitoring. 2nd ed. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers, 1993:256-59
(mmm) Coye MJ, Lowe JA, Maddy KT. Biological monitoring of agricultural workers exposed to pesticides: I. Cholinesterase activity determination; II. Monitoring of intact pesticides and their metabolites. J Occup Med 1986;28:619-36
(nnn) Air Force Joint Instruction 48-110; Army Regulation 40-562; BUMEDINST 6230.15; CG COMDTINST M6230.4E, "Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis," November 1, 1995
(ooo) Harlow E, Lane D. Antibodies: A laboratory manual. Cold Spring Harbor, NY: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1988:285-87
(ppp) Control of Communicable Diseases in Man. Benenson AS (ed). Washington, DC: American Public Health Association, 1995, p 165-7
(qqq) DA Pam 385-69, "Biological Defense Safety Program," December 31, 1993
(rrr) CDC. Hepatitis B virus: a comprehensive strategy for eliminating transmission in the United States through universal childhood vaccination. Recommendations of the immunization practices committee (ACIP). MMWR 1991;40(RR-13):1-25
(sss) CDC. Protection against viral hepatitis. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1990;39(No. RR-2):1-26
(ttt) CDC. Prevention and control of influenza. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1996;45(RR-5):1-24
(uuu) CDC. Measles prevention. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1989;38(S-9):1-18
(vvv) CDC. Mumps prevention. MMWR 1989;38:388-92, 397-400
(www) CDC. Poliomyelitis prevention. MMWR 1982;31:22-6,31-4
(xxx) CDC. Poliomyelitis prevention: enhanced potency inactivated poliomyelitis vaccine. Supplementary statement. MMWR 1987;36:796-8
(yyy) CDC. Rubella prevention. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1990;39(RR-15):1-18
(zzz) CDC. Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis: guidelines for vaccine prophylaxis and other preventive measures. MMWR 1985;34:405-14, 419-26
(aaaa) CDC. Typhoid immunization. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1994;43(RR-14):1-7
(bbbb) CDC. Prevention of varicella. Recommendations of the immunization practices advisory committee (ACIP). MMWR 1996;45(RR-11):1-36
(cccc) CDC. General Recommendations on immunizations. MMWR 1994;(RR-1):1-39
(dddd) Gardner P, Eickhoff T, Poland GA, Gross P, Griffin M, LaForce M, et al. Adult immunizations. Ann Int Med 1996;124:35-40
(eeee) Lemon SM, Thomas DL. Vaccines to prevent viral hepatitis. N Engl J Med 1997;336:196-204
(ffff) DOL. OSHA Technical Manual Directive (TED1.15) Section V, Chap 3, Controlling Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Drugs
(gggg) CDC. Guidelines for preventing the transmission of tuberculosis in health care facilities, 1994. MMWR 1994; 43(No.RR-13):1-132
(hhhh) Hunt LW, Fransway AF, Reed CE, et al. An epidemic of occupational allergy to latex involving health care workers. J Occup Environ Med 1995;37:1204-1209
(iiii) Office of Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) memorandum dated October 23, 1996, Subject: "Hepatitis B Immunization Policy for Department of Defense Medical and Dental Personnel"
(jjjj) CDC, Update provisional public health service recommendations for chemoprophylaxis after occupational exposure to HIV. MMWR 1996; 45(22) 468-480
(kkkk) DoD Instruction 6055.6, "DoD Fire and Emergency Services Program," December 15, 1994
(llll) National Fire Protection Association (NFPA Standard 1582), Medical Requirements for Firefighters. 1992
(mmmm) Office of Personnel Management Qualification Standards, GS-081, Fire Protection and Fire Prevention Series

DEFINITIONS

1. Action Level. That level of worker exposure, determined by workplace sampling, at or above which occupational medical surveillance examinations will be performed. With substances with a Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL - see definition below), the action limit is defined and may be one-half of the PEL. For other exposures, not regulated by OSHA, other consensus standards may be used for an action level. One such consensus standard is use of one-half of the Threshold Limit Value (TLV - see definition below) as an action level.

2. Emergency Exposure. Emergency means any occurrence, such as, but not limited to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control equipment, that may or does result in an unexpected release of and exposure to a hazardous substance or condition.

3. Occupational Medical Examination. Medical examinations performed to prevent work-related health problems by assessing the health status of individuals in relation to their work and making medical recommendations regarding worker placement, accommodation, and exposure controls. An occupational medical examination may include:

a. Occupational Medical History. Information regarding an individual's medical background including work history, specific occupational exposures, work practices, and work-related health problems. The occupational medical history augments the basic medical history in assisting the practitioner in determining if the worker has (or is at risk of developing) work-caused or aggravated health problems.

b. Physical Examination. The process of inspection, palpation, percussion, and auscultation of the body to detect pathologic conditions.

c. Clinical Laboratory Tests. Clinical tests and measurements used to characterize the status of specific organ systems and physiologic functions.

d. Biologic Monitoring. Analysis of a body component (blood, urine, expired breath, hair, etc.) to detect the presence of or the effect of an agent in the body and assess potential for health harm.

4. Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). The employee�s permitted exposure to any material listed in Table Z-1, Z-2, or Z-3 of OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.1000.

5. Regulated Area. An area where entry and exit is restricted or controlled because of potential exposures to hazards. These areas are identified by installation industrial hygiene or safety personnel.

6. Significant Threshold Shift (STS). A STS is present when there is a change in hearing threshold relative to the current reference audiogram of an average of + 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear and/or any change of + 15 dB at 1000, 2000, 3000, or 4000 Hz in either ear.

7. Standard Threshold Shift. An OSHA term for hearing loss.

8. Threshold Limit Value (TLV). Airborne concentrations of substances that represent conditions under which it is believed that nearly all workers may be repeatedly exposed day after day without adverse health effects. TLVs are recommendations of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) (reference (e)).

9. Time-Weighted Average (TWA). Concentrations of stressors or hazards which have been weighted for the time duration of the sample. Most commonly expressed as an average concentration for a normal 8-hour workday or 40-hour work week.

10. Worker. Any DoD employee, military or civilian.

11. Workplace. A physical location where the agency�s work or operations are performed. Workplaces may be administrative, operational, or industrial, and may be staffed by civilian or military personnel.

C1. CHAPTER 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

C1.1. Introduction

C1.1.1. Purpose

C1.1.1.1. This Manual provides health professionals with information and references appropriate for developing occupational examination protocols for workers throughout the Department of Defense. Many occupational health problems can be prevented or their effects minimized if identified early. However, occupational medical examinations are preventive only if the workers at risk are properly identified and appropriately evaluated, and the results are used to modify exposure through work practices, process changes, engineering controls, administrative controls, personal protective equipment, or worker placement.

C1.1.1.2. The information in this Manual should be used to develop examination protocols for workers at risk of developing specific occupational health problems based on known work-related health risks. Developing and administering occupational medical examinations based on this Manual will satisfy the basic medical surveillance requirements prescribed in DoD Instruction 6055.5 (reference (a)) by identifying the known health risks associated with specific jobs, processes, and exposures.

C1.1.1.3. Occupational medicine specialists are available for consultation at the following centers of occupational health:

C1.1.1.3.1. US Army - Commander, US Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21010-5422. (Telephone: (410) 671-4375; DSN 584-4375; Homepage: https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Redirect/redirect.cgi?url=http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/)

C1.1.1.3.2. US Navy - Commanding Officer, Navy Environmental Health Center, 2510 Walmer Avenue, Norfolk, VA 23513-2617. (Telephone: (757) 363-5500; DSN 864-5500; Homepage: https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Redirect/redirect.cgi?url=http://www-nehc.med.navy.mil/).

C1.1.1.3.3. US Air Force - US Air Force Detachment One Human Systems Command/Occupational Medicine Division, Brooks Air Force Base, TX 78235. (Telephone: (210) 536-6048/5115; DSN 240-6048/5115; Homepage: https://www.denix.osd.mil/denix/Public/Redirect/redirect.cgi?url=http://www.brooks.af.mil/AFRL/)

C1.1.1.4. Should potentially hazardous agents not covered in this Manual be identified, promptly notify your respective center of occupational health to initiate appropriate hazard evaluation.

C1.1.1.5. Requirements for military deployment-related medical screening and surveillance for Military Services may include elements not included in this Manual. Additional information on joint medical surveillance for deployment may be found in references (f) and (g).

C1.1.2. Scope

This Manual is intended to assist medical practitioners in developing, performing, and interpreting the results of occupational medical examinations. The requirements in this Manual apply to all DoD Components.

C1.2. Requirements

C1.2.1. Workplace Exposures

Industrial hygiene surveys of workplaces must identify all potential exposures and other worker safety and health risks, and establish complete workplace exposure profiles. Documentation of these activities is required. See DoD Instruction 6055.5 (reference (a)) for additional guidance on industrial hygiene surveillance.

C1.2.2. Work-Related Health Risks

The health of hazard-exposed workers must be monitored to determine if work-related health problems are occurring. Through this portion of the DoD occupational safety and health program, the Department of Defense meets legal and regulatory requirements to assess the effects of work-related health risks on the workers' health status. Chapter 2 of this Manual summarizes existing mandatory occupational medical examination requirements of the OSHA standard for air contaminants, 29 CFR 1910.1000 (reference (d)). Chapter 3 includes other medical examination protocols, while not required by statute, have been endorsed by DoD.

C1.3. Occupational Evaluation Types

C1.3.1. Preplacement or Baseline

These examinations are performed before placement in a specific job to assess (from a medical standpoint) if the worker will be able to perform the job capably and safely, to determine if the worker meets any established physical standards, and to obtain baseline measurements for future comparison. Ideally, these medical examinations should be done before commencement of work. However, if the individual already has started work, these examinations will be completed within 30 days of assignment when required by DoD Instruction 6055.5 (reference (a)), and within 60 days in other cases.

C1.3.2. Periodic

These examinations are conducted at scheduled intervals. Periodic examinations may include an interval history, physical examination, and/or clinical and biological screening tests. The scope of these examinations is determined locally after consideration of the information contained in this Manual, professional practice standards, regulatory guidance, and any other relevant factors.

C1.3.3. Termination

There are two kinds of termination examinations.

C1.3.3.1. Termination-of-Employment. These examinations are designed to assess pertinent aspects of the worker's health when the employee leaves employment. Documentation of examination results may be beneficial in assessing the relationship of any future medical problems to an exposure in the workplace. This is particularly applicable to those conditions that are chronic or that may have long latency periods. Some Federal regulations require termination of employment examinations (e.g. asbestos, 29 CFR 1910.1001 (reference (h)).

C1.3.3.2. Termination of Exposure. These examinations are performed when exposure to a specific hazard has ceased. Exposure to specific hazards may cease when a worker is reassigned, a process is changed, or the worker leaves employment. Termination of exposure examinations are most beneficial when the health effect being screened for is likely to be present at the time exposure ceases.

Some Federal regulations require termination of exposure examinations (29 CFR 1910.120, (reference (i)).

C1.4. Occupational Medical Examinations

C1.4.1. Background Information

The primary reasons for conducting occupational medical examinations are listed in the following sections. When performing an examination (or constructing an examination protocol), the practitioner must understand the reasons for obtaining each historical item, performing each physical examination procedure, and ordering each laboratory test. This understanding is essential for the practitioner to know how to properly perform the examination, investigate abnormalities, and formulate appropriate medical recommendations.

C1.4.2. Fitness and Risk Determination

Fitness and risk determination examinations address the following questions:

C1.4.2.1. Is a specific individual, from a medical standpoint, capable of performing a specific job (set of tasks with or without necessary but reasonable accommodation)?

C1.4.2.2. Will performing the job place the individual at risk of significant health harm?

C1.4.2.3. Will allowing the individual to perform the job place someone else at risk or pose an unacceptable risk to public health?

C1.4.3. Occupational Medical Surveillance

Occupational medical surveillance examinations provide baseline and periodic measurements to detect abnormalities in workers exposed to work-related health hazards early enough to prevent or limit disease progression by exposure modification or medical intervention. Medical surveillance examinations are secondary prevention measures. They are effective only if useful screening techniques (history questionnaires, medical exams, or lab tests) are available to identify abnormalities in the target organ system at a stage when modifying exposure or providing medical treatment can arrest progression or prevent recurrence. Much of the information in this Manual is presented to assist health professionals in identifying known work-related health hazards, the target organ system, specific health effects, and useful screening tests.

C1.4.4. Personnel Policy Enforcement

Personnel policy enforcement examinations medically assess workers to determine if they meet established physical standards and conditions of employment. Examples of these programs include drug use screening and fitness for duty examinations (5 CFR 339, reference (j)).

C1.4.5. Employee Health Promotion

Employee health promotion examinations are non-occupational medical examinations given to workers as a benefit and are not addressed in this Manual.

C1.4.6. Regulatory Compliance

Regulatory compliance examinations provide medical data to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Chapter 2 addresses hazards with medical surveillance evaluation requirements specified by OSHA. Chapter 3 describes hazards with medical surveillance protocols endorsed by DoD. Both chapters provide assistance to practitioners in identifying those hazards requiring medical examinations.

C1.5. Occupational Medical Examination Process

C1.5.1. Identifying Workers Who Need Occupational Medical Examinations

C1.5.1.1. There are three ways to identify workers at risk of work-related health problems: by job title, by workplace, and by individual exposure.

C1.5.1.1.1. Job Title. Job title and description characterize the basic tasks, hazardous exposures, and health outcomes likely to be experienced by the majority of workers in a specific occupational group. This type of grouping assumes all workers will have similar job demands, experience similar stresses, have the same exposures to hazardous agents, and suffer the same health effects.

C1.5.1.1.2. Workplace. Workplace characterizes the hazardous agents present in the workplace and assumes all workers assigned to that workplace are potentially exposed to the levels of hazards found at the time the workplace was evaluated.

C1.5.1.1.3. Individual Exposure. Individual exposure quantifies job demands, stresses, and hazardous exposures for each individual.

C1.5.1.2. Each method has limitations. Likewise, any standardized examination protocol developed using a single method to identify the workers at risk will be limited. To minimize these limitations, a combination of these methods is recommended.

C1.5.2. Determining Evaluation Content and Developing Protocols

C1.5.2.1. Installation occupational health and safety personnel are jointly responsible for identifying work areas where workers need medical examinations because of specific hazardous exposures. Local occupational medical personnel establish examination content and frequency based on an understanding of the job demands, exposures to the workers, the medical effects of specific exposures, the impact of specific medical conditions on job performance and safety, and legal and regulatory requirements.

C1.5.2.2. Examination protocols may include employee health promotion and personnel programs. Local medical personnel must be aware of collective bargaining agreements and support agreements that entitle specific employee groups to health benefit programs or other medical benefits. If medical examinations are deemed inappropriate or of little value, documentation of the rationale used in making this decision shall be maintained locally.

C1.5.2.3. The following list summarizes factors to consider when determining examination content and developing examination protocols.

C1.5.2.3.1. Specific job tasks and/or requirements.

C1.5.2.3.2. Workplace risk factors (exposures).

C1.5.2.3.2.1. Physical agents.

C1.5.2.3.2.2. Chemical agents.

C1.5.2.3.2.3. Biological agents.

C1.5.2.3.2.4. Other.

C1.5.2.3.3. Personal risk factors (medical status).

C1.5.2.3.4. Target organ systems and potential health risks.

C1.5.2.3.5. Potential public health and safety impact.

C1.5.2.3.6. Legal and regulatory requirements.

C1.5.2.3.7. Employee health promotion and personnel programs.

C1.5.3. Performing the Evaluation

C1.5.3.1. The occupational medicine practitioner takes a targeted medical history based on complaints and risk factors, does a review of systems, and then performs selected physical examinations and laboratory tests to characterize the status of specific organ systems. In some cases, a standard examination protocol (historical questionnaire and lab tests) may be administered to a group of workers with similar specific health risks.

C1.5.3.2. Workers receiving occupational medical examinations can have health conditions that can affect their job performance or indicate a problem in the workplace. Determining a particular worker's fitness and risk for a particular job and identifying work-related medical conditions requires medical judgment by a practitioner knowledgeable of the worker's working conditions and job demands.

C1.5.4. Record Keeping (Documenting Examination Results)

Occupational medical surveillance examinations shall be recorded and maintained in accordance with DoD Instruction 6055.5 (reference (a)) and the DoD Components' implementing directives. All results should be recorded in employees medical records. Standard or customized forms may be used or developed to aid in collecting and recording occupational medical information.

C1.5.5. Informing the Worker of Examination Results

All workers must be informed of the results of their occupational medical examination (even if all results are normal) as soon as possible following completion. Documentation of patient notification should be noted in the medical record. All personnel with significant abnormalities must be further evaluated or referred for evaluation as appropriate. One of the primary reasons for performing occupational medical examinations is to detect job-related abnormalities at an early stage to reverse or halt progression by modifying exposure. If abnormalities are not fully evaluated and reviewed, potential opportunities for prevention are lost.

C1.5.6. Counseling and Education Concerning Identified Health Risks

Medical personnel shall inform workers receiving occupational medical examinations of any specific health risks present in the work environment. The extent of the information provided to the worker will vary depending on the nature of the hazards and health status of the worker. This should not be interpreted as a requirement to establish formal education programs in the medical facility to inform every worker of their specific potential health risks. This may be appropriate in some cases. However, in most cases a short verbal explanation of the reasons for the examination and the types of health effects being screened for is sufficient.

C1.5.7. Medical Determinations and Recommendations

C1.5.7.1. A medical examination alone cannot determine an individual's ability to perform the essential duties of a particular position. The responsibility for making this determination rests solely with the appointing official. Employment-related decisions involving health are fundamentally managerial, not medical.

C1.5.7.2. Medical information may be an essential element in determining an individual's suitability for job tasks. However, management has the obligation to consider issues that are not strictly medical (e.g., reasonable accommodation or assessment of undue hardship on the operation of the agency's operations).

C1.5.7.3. The role of occupational medical personnel in addressing employment decisions is limited to determining whether the individual meets the medical requirements of the position and can, from a medical standpoint, perform the job capably and safely.

C1.5.7.4. To assist managers in making employment and placement decisions, medical determinations should fall in one of the following three categories.

C1.5.7.4.1. Qualified -- The individual meets the medical requirements of the position and is (from a medical standpoint) capable of performing the required tasks. Allowing the individual to perform the job will not pose a significant risk to personal health and safety or the health and safety of others.

C1.5.7.4.2. Qualified with Restriction --The individual meets the medical requirements of the position and is capable of performing the job without risk to personal health or others only with some accommodation or restriction. (When this determination is made, the practitioner should provide a list of recommended accommodations or restrictions and the expected duration of this requirement and therapeutic or risk-avoiding benefit.)

C1.5.7.4.3. Not Qualified -- The individual is incapable of performing essential tasks, will be unsafe, or fails to meet medical requirements for the job.

C1.5.8. Recommended Disqualification Procedure

C1.5.8.1. A disqualifying or not qualified medical determination is legitimate if:

C1.5.8.1.1. A medical condition prevents the worker from performing the essential functions of the job and no reasonable accommodation would enable the worker to perform the job.

C1.5.8.1.2. Allowing the worker to perform the job would endanger the health or safety of other workers or the public.

C1.5.8.1.3. Placing (or retaining) the individual in the job poses a significant risk to the worker's personal health or safety.

C1.5.8.1.4. The individual fails to meet a medical standard or physical requirement for placement in the position.

C1.5.8.2. The examining practitioner should prepare a case summary on all workers determined to be medically unsuited for their job and file this case summary in the workers medical record. The appointing official must be informed of the disqualifying recommendation. The case summary, as confidential medical information, should be provided to management only when necessary and authorized. The following information should be included in all case summaries:

C1.5.8.2.1. Diagnosis. The diagnosis must be justified in accordance with established diagnostic criteria.

C1.5.8.2.2. History. The history of the disqualifying condition(s) including references to findings from previous examinations, treatment, and responses to treatment.

C1.5.8.2.3. Clinical findings. The clinical findings including results of any laboratory tests, x-rays, or special evaluations performed.

C1.5.8.2.4. Prognosis. The prognosis must clearly state the medical basis for concluding that the individual is incapable or unsafe, plans or recommendations for future treatment, and an estimate of the expected date of full or partial recovery. If recovery is not expected this should also be clearly indicated. The prognosis must also include an explanation of the impact of the medical condition on overall activities both on and off the job, the reason(s) why restrictions or accommodations will not enable the individual to perform the job, and an explanation of the medical basis for any conclusions.

C1.5.9. Epidemiology (Reviewing Aggregate Data)

C1.5.9.1. The DoD Components shall accumulate appropriate data to allow trend analysis and early detection of job-related abnormalities that, if undetected and uncorrected, might lead to impairment, disability, or death.

C1.5.9.2. Methods should be developed to periodically analyze occupational medical surveillance examination results and local occupational injury and illness data to identify hazardous processes, operations, and work sites. Once identified, appropriate targeted intervention programs should be developed to reduce the occurrence of occupational injury and illness.

C1.5.10. Changing Occupational Medical Surveillance Procedures

Certain occupational medical surveillance examination procedures (i.e., firefighters examinations) may be part of an installation or area-wide collective bargaining agreement between the Government and employee unions or organizations. Whenever changes are proposed in collective bargaining-agreed upon procedures, the responsible parties must be notified and allowed to accept or decline the changes. Your local or area-wide Civilian Personnel Office can provide information on collective bargaining required occupational medical surveillance and is the occupational medicine professionals point of contact for proposing any changes in examination procedures.

CHAPTER 2

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

FOR OSHA-REGULATED EXPOSURES

C2.1. Introduction

C2.1.1. History

C2.1.1.1. With the establishment of OSHA in 1970, the Federal Government began to mandate the basic elements of medical surveillance for a number of chemical and physical stressors in the workplace. Beginning in the early 1970s, the list has now grown to more than 20 individually regulated stressors. Two Executive Orders defined the relationship of OSHA regulations to the Department of Defense workforce. Executive Order 11807 (1974) placed Federal employees under the Occupational Health and Safety Act (reference (k)). This order was later revoked by Executive Order 12196 (1980) (reference (l)) that exempted active duty military personnel and uniquely military equipment, systems, and operations. Many of the initial OSHA regulations (reference (k)) are for carcinogens that are rarely found in the Department of Defense workplaces today.

C2.1.2. Mandated Medical Surveillance Examinations

C2.1.2.1. The medical surveillance requirements for each of the OSHA-regulated programs are listed in Tables 2-1 to 2-3. The requirements outlined in these tables should be considered the "bare minimum" for medical surveillance. The implementing Component regulations or instructions may add additional requirements based upon sound occupational medical practice.

C2.1.2.2. A written medical opinion for the employer is required on the worker's suitability for exposure to a specific stressor for many of these programs. Specific guidance is given in Tables 2-1, 2-2, and 2-3.

C2.1.3. What Is Not Included

C2.1.3.1. The Cotton Dust Standard (29 CFR 1910.1043 (reference (m)) was not included in this chapter because this applies to yarn manufacturing and textile operations.

C2.1.3.2. The medical certification examination for Interstate Vehicle Operators, mandated by the Federal Department of Transportation in 49 CFR 391.41-49 (reference (n)), was not included.

C2.2. Medical Surveillance

C2.2.1. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Chemical Hazards

C2.2.1.1. Table 2-1 lists the elements of a medical surveillance program for OSHA-mandated programs. The chemical name, American Chemical Society Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) number, and the Code of Federal Regulations standard for that stressor are listed in the far left column. Target organs specified in the OSHA standard and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Pocket Guide (reference (o)) are listed next. The criteria for entry of employees into a medical surveillance program is described for each specific OSHA standard. The schedule of examinations is listed for the time of initial assignment (Pre-A), periodic (Per), Emergency Exposure (E-Exp) and Termination of either exposure (T-Exp) or Employment (T-Emp). Elements of the required Medical History and Physical Examination (PE) are listed next; many of the early OSHA-regulated substances do not specify the requirements for the PE. Required examinations and special tests must be offered to the employees. If engineering or administrative controls are not sufficient or appropriate, exposure to many of these substances may need to reduced by the use of respirators. The requirement for a medical evaluation for respirator use is described in 29 CFR 1910.134 (reference (p)). The occupational and medical history should be updated at each visit along with an assessment of the worker�s tobacco use.

C2.2.2. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Biological and Physical Hazards. Table 2-2 lists the program elements for biological and physical hazards using a similar format and abbreviations to those in Table 2-1.

C2.2.3. Mandated Medical Surveillance for Occupational Groups. Table 2-3 lists the program elements for occupational groups using a similar format and abbreviations to those in Table 2-1.

C2.2.4. Recommended Medical Surveillance for Overexposures to Z-Table Substances.

C2.2.4.1. OSHA Regulation 29 CFR 1910.1000 (reference (d)) contains the Z Tables that list stressors that have permissible exposure limits (PELs). Some of these stressors have specific regulations that mandate medical surveillance requirements (see Tables 2-1, 2-2, 2-3). The remainder of these stressors do not have any medical surveillance requirements put forth in specific regulations. Facilities with employees exposed to these stressors above the action level (AL) are required to perform medical surveillance examinations. The scope of these medical screening examinations will be determined at the service, command, or activity level based on the nature and extent of personnel exposed over the Action Limit. Consultation with Service points of contact listed in C1.1.1.3 is encouraged in these cases to optimize the use of laboratory testing to assess specific organ function.

C2.2.4.2. Substances reported by the U.S. Army Health Hazard Information Module database as stressors frequently encountered in the workplace are included in Table 2-4. This table identifies those target organs most likely to be harmed by the listed stressor. Table 2-5 lists individual examination elements to be considered for specific target organs. Not all elements are required for every stressor with the same target organ. The application of individual elements for a particular examination is determined by the known biological effects of the specific stressor.

C2.2.5. Abbreviations used in Tables 2-1 to 2-5

Table 2-1 OSHA Regulated Toxic and Hazardous Substances

Table 2-2 OSHA Regulated Physical and Biological Substances

Table 2-3 OSHA Regulated Occupational Groups

* See OSHA Standard for further information.

Table 2-4. OSHA Z Table Substances Frequently Encountered

Table 2-5 Recommended Medical Surveillance Elements

C3. CHAPTER 3

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE

ENDORSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

C3.1. Introduction

This chapter addresses hazards that OSHA has NOT identified for required medical surveillance. The Department of Defense Medical Surveillance Working Group selected these stressors and occupational groups because of their military uniqueness or common use in the Department of Defense workplace or operational setting.

C3.2. Medical Surveillance

C3.2.1. Chemical Hazards

C3.2.1.1. Chemical Warfare Agents.

C3.2.1.1.1. Chemical warfare agents include primarily nerve agents (GA, GB, GD, and VX), sulfur mustard agents (H, HD, and HT), Lewisite (L), and binary chemicals. Even though the toxicity of chemical warfare agents depends upon the nature and concentration of the agent and the route and duration of exposure, this group of chemicals must be considered highly hazardous. The binary chemicals are manufactured, transported, and stored as separate components of a final mixture. The separate components of sublethal toxicity are not mixed to obtain lethal toxicity until a chemical munition is directed toward an enemy target.

C3.2.1.1.2. Nerve agents are extremely potent inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase, an important enzyme in cholinergic neurotransmission. Mustard and Lewisite act as cytotoxic agents on all tissue surfaces contacted. Mustard has been shown to be mutagenic and carcinogenic in animals. The final mixture of current binary chemicals is a nerve agent. Component chemicals in the binary system have individual and quite varied toxicities.

C3.2.1.1.3. Routes of entry are through inhalation and skin and eye absorption. Ingestion is rare. Exposure may occur during manufacture, storage, transport, or destruction (demilitarization) of these agents. Exposure may also result with research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) activities and during training with live agents. On rare occasions, exposure may occur during accidental excavation of unidentified chemical warfare agent burial sites.

C3.2.1.1.4. The Department of the Army is the executive agent for activities involving chemical warfare agents. Therefore, the Department of the Army, Office of The Surgeon General, is the proponent for medical surveillance guidance for workers with potential exposure. Details regarding medical examinations for these workers can be found in Department of the Army Pamphlets (DA PAM) 40-8, (reference (fff)) and 40-173 (references (ggg)). Further information on current guidelines may be obtained in the CDC "Recommendations for Protecting Human Health Against Long-term Exposure to Low Doses of Chemical Warfare Agents (reference (hhh)).

C3.2.1.2. Nitroglycerin.

C3.2.1.2.1. Hazard Description. Nitroglycerin (CAS #55-63-0) in its pure form is a yellow oily liquid explosive that is usually handled as a component of a solid mixture that can produce dust. It is primarily used as a propellant for shells, rockets, and other ordnance. Exposure may be from the inhalation of dusts or vapors, or ingestion of dust, or through the skin. The primary sites of potential exposure are manufacturing plants in the U.S. which are few in number. The risk of exposure to workers routinely involved with storage or operational delivery of weapons is far less.

C3.2.1.2.2. Exposure Limits. OSHA has substantially lowered the permissible exposures of nitroglycerin primarily because of cardiovascular effects, concerns of exposure to individuals with cardiovascular disease, and other health effects such as headaches. Exposure limits for nitroglycerin carry a skin designation to emphasize that nitroglycerin can be absorbed through the skin. The reduction of skin exposure is to be achieved with any reasonable combination of controls, including engineering controls and personal protective equipment under 55 Federal Register No. 217, 26948-46950, Final Rule (reference (iii)).

C3.2.1.2.3. Target Organ(s) and Potential Health Effects. Nitroglycerin exposure is primarily manifested by symptoms in two organ systems: 1) the cardiovascular system with symptoms such as palpitations and/or withdrawal angina; and (2) the central nervous system with vasodilatation headaches.

C3.2.1.2.4. Criteria for Entry into Medical Surveillance Program. Workers are recommended for placement into medical surveillance when they are exposed over the action level for more than 30 days a year or 10 days in any quarter.

C3.2.1.2.5. Surveillance Frequency. Workers identified for medical surveillance should receive pre-placement and annual examinations. Termination of exposure and/or employment medical surveillance examinations are not required. Emergency exposure examinations may be done to evaluate for acute effects.

C3.2.1.2.6. Medical and Occupational History. The history should include questions into the following areas:

C3.2.1.2.6.1. The occurrences and frequency of headaches (especially headaches occurring during exposure).

C3.2.1.2.6.2. History of heart disease (chest pain, myocardial infarctions, or abnormal electrocardiograms and/or history of chest pain when away from work -- "withdrawal angina.).

C3.2.1.2.6.3. History of elevated blood pressure.

C3.2.1.2.6.4. History of elevated blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).

C3.2.1.2.6.5. Use of medications (especially for hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases).

C3.2.1.2.6.6. Smoking history.

C3.2.1.2.6.7. History of previous exposure to nitroglycerin.

C3.2.1.2.6.8. History of other cardiovascular risk factors including a family history of cardiovascular disease (especially early age - less than age 55 cardiovascular disease events), diabetes mellitus and obesity.

C3.2.1.2.7. Physical Examination. The primary focus of the examination should be on the cardiovascular system including vital signs (especially blood pressure and pulse) and evaluation of the heart and lungs as indicated by the medical and occupational history.

C3.2.1.2.8. Laboratory. Additional studies should be done if indicated by history or physical examination and may include an electrocardiogram.

C3.2.1.2.9. Other Elements. The following areas should be addressed in counseling.

C3.2.1.2.9.1. Proper use of engineering controls and/or personal protective equipment to reduce exposure.

C3.2.1.2.9.2. Review of personal cardiovascular risk factors including the association of smoking and cardiovascular disease and education on the reduction of cardiovascular risk.

C3.2.1.2.9.3. Advising the patient of any health effects resulting from occupational exposure, including association of nitroglycerin exposure with an excess of ischemic heart disease in individuals under age 35.

C3.2.1.3. Organophosphate and Carbamate Pesticides.

C3.2.1.3.1. Hazard Description. Organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are routinely used in a variety of pest control applications. These substances are grouped together because of a common mode of toxic action--the inhibition of the enzyme cholinesterase. Organophosphates, as a class, generally bind to the enzyme irreversibly while carbamates tend to bind reversibly. Human toxicity from these compounds can vary widely. Nearly all are readily absorbed from dermal contact, inhalation, and ingestion, making it essential for medical personnel to evaluate the exposure conditions and work practices of the applicators to assess the exposure hazards from multiple routes. Examples of compounds included in this category are: organophosphate pesticides--Dichlorvos (CAS # 62-73-7); Diazinon (CAS# 333-41-5); Chlorpyrifos (CAS# 2921-88-2); Malathion (CAS#121-75-5); and carbamate pesticides--Carbaryl (CAS# 63-25-2); Thiram (CAS#137-26-8); Propoxur (CAS#114-26-1); Ficam (CAS# 22781-23-1).

C3.2.1.3.2. Exposure Limits. Many organophosphate and carbamate pesticides have exposure limits (PEL) that are included in the OSHA Z-table. Exposure limits for these pesticides carry a skin designation to emphasize that they can be absorbed through the skin.

C3.2.1.3.3. Target Organs(s) and Potential Health Effects. The major target organs for organophosphate and carbamate pesticides are the peripheral and central nervous systems. Organophosphates and carbamates exert their toxic effects by inhibiting cholinesterase in synapses. In acute exposures, initial hyperstimulation is followed by blockage of the affected synapses. Acute symptoms are excessive bronchial secretions, salivation, respiratory distress, incontinence, pinpoint pupils, fasiculations, abdominal cramps, tremors, cyanosis, and coma.

C3.2.1.3.4. Criteria for Entry in Medical Surveillance Program. Personnel should be entered into medical surveillance if they are: exposed to airborne concentrations above the action level for 30 or more days per year; at significant risk of absorption from dermal exposure or ingestion; or performing an operation in an area where a worker has experienced toxicity related to pesticide exposure and exposure controls have not been in place long enough to assess their effectiveness. In addition, if a workplace survey identifies significant potential for dermal absorption or ingestion, appropriate hazard controls and work practice changes should be recommended. Medical surveillance may be used in these cases as an adjunct to industrial hygiene monitoring to determine if hazard controls are working. Medical monitoring should not be used as a substitute for industrial hygiene surveys.

C3.2.1.3.5. Surveillance Frequency. Workers identified for medical surveillance should receive pre-placement, periodic, and termination of exposure examinations. Cholinesterase determinations will be done during the maximum usage period of the pesticide application season. At locations where organophosphate pesticides are used year-round, the worker should receive at least quarterly cholinesterase determinations. All workers should be examined following any emergency over exposure. Note: Because reduced cholinesterase activity can be transient, medical surveillance should be performed during the period of time workers are engaging in operations using organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. Sampling workers at times when they are not exposed is of no value and may mislead workers into believing work practices and applications operations are not producing significant exposures.

C3.2.1.3.6. Medical and Occupational History. At each periodic evaluation, the workers history of use and exposure to pesticides and use of personal protective equipment should be reviewed and updated. A general medical history, along with a specific review of systems emphasizing symptoms of organophosphate/carbamate pesticide toxicity, i.e. headache, salivation, muscle twitching, should be updated or obtained at each evaluation.

C3.2.1.3.7. Physical Examination. When acute toxicity is suspected, the worker should have a complete neurologic exam (including evaluation of pupillary size and reactivity and observation for muscle fasiculations and tremor), auscultation of the chest for wheezing, and inspection for cyanosis. Routine periodic examinations during the pesticide use season may be limited to the medical and occupational history and cholinesterase testing. Physical examinations for signs of mild exposures are not recommended.

C3.2.1.3.8. Laboratory. Serum (or plasma) and red blood cell (RBC) cholinesterase baseline levels should be done at preplacement or before exposure. This baseline value should be the average of two or more tests taken at least 72 hours, but not more than 14 days apart, and analyzed at the same laboratory. If two tests are done and the difference between them exceeds 15%, a third baseline test should be performed. The average of the two closest values should be considered the true baseline value. All baseline tests should be taken when the worker has had no exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors for at least 30 days. Since the interpretation of cholinesterase levels may be difficult, the following guidance is provided under the guidelines (reference (jjj)).

C3.2.1.3.8.1. Serum (or plasma) cholinesterase has a relatively short half-life whereas RBC cholinesterase has the same half-life as red blood cells (about 120 days). These two enzymes are structurally distinct and are inhibited differently by the various organophosphate and carbamate pesticides. For example, diazinon inhibits serum cholinesterase to a much greater extent than RBC cholinesterase under pesticides studied in man (reference (kkk)). Whereas, carbaryl inhibits both serum and RBC cholinesterase. The normal ranges for serum and RBC cholinesterase determinations are wide with marked interindividual variability and variability if different analytical methods or laboratories are used. For this reason, baseline pre-exposure measurements done by the same methodology, and preferably by the same laboratory, are extremely important. Individuals should be compared against their baseline levels rather than the "normal" range. A reduction in serum cholinesterase activity to 60% of baseline may occur before any symptoms appear and a drop to 20% of baseline activity is required before serious neuromuscular symptoms become apparent. A variety of medical conditions can depress cholinesterase activity.

C3.2.1.3.8.2. A drop in plasma or RBC cholinesterase levels to 80% of a worker�s baseline or lower indicates the need for retesting. If the low value is confirmed, the employer should investigate the workplace for faulty work practices and take corrective measures. A drop in RBC cholinesterase level to 70% of baseline or lower, or a drop in plasma cholinesterase level to 60% of baseline or lower, indicates a need for immediate removal of the worker from all exposure to cholinesterase inhibitors until both parameters return to within 80% of the preexposure baseline or higher under the guidelines (reference (jjj)).

C3.2.1.3.8.3. In some cases, if exposure to a specific pesticide is suspected, tests for either the chemical or a metabolic product are available. Measurement of urinary organic phosphates is a helpful adjunct to cholinesterase determinations in workers suspected of significant organophosphate exposure. Total urinary organic phosphates in excess of 0.1 mg/L are evidence of significant exposure to organophosphate insecticides. Determination of urinary 1-naphthol is helpful in evaluating workers with suspected exposures to carbaryl. Urinary 1-naphthol levels, measured by colorimetry, greater than 4 mg/L represent significant exposures to carbaryl under 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq and the guidelines (references (k) and (lll)). Reference (mmm) should be consulted for further information on agent specific biologic monitoring.

C3.2.1.3.9. Other Elements.

C3.2.1.3.9.1. Removal from exposure if medically indicated (see C3.2.1.3.8.2).

C3.2.1.3.9.2. If respirators are used to protect workers from this hazard, the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134 (reference (p)) should be applied to assess the worker's ability to safely use the respirator.

C3.2.1.3.9.3. Workers should receive education on the routes of exposure, and the particular importance of dermal exposure; the importance of hand washing and personal hygiene to minimize exposure; and of the symptoms that could represent absorption.

C3.2.1.3.9.4. A health care practitioner�s written opinion indicating that the worker is qualified for work with organophosphate or carbamate pesticides may be used if desired.

C3.2.2. Biological Hazards

C3.2.2.1. Biological hazards include microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and rickettsiae. Transmission of microorganisms from humans to humans or from animals to humans, in the work setting, may produce occupationally-associated infection or disease. Biological hazards may pose a significant risk to many workers in such fields as health care, medical research, public safety, child day care, education, grounds keepers, and animal care. Since most of the infectious diseases caused by biological hazards are not prevented or identified through medical surveillance, no routine medical surveillance is recommended in this section. Pre-placement or baseline medical history, physical examination and immunizations may be appropriate for certain potential exposures. Sections C3.2.2.2 through C3.2.2.7 provide general comments on biological hazards and immunizations.

C3.2.2.2. As with chemical and physical hazards, primary prevention provides the best means of protecting workers from biological hazards. Exposure to biological hazards may be prevented or minimized through appropriate infection control methods, proper work practices, and use of personal protective equipment and Universal Precautions.

C3.2.2.3. Immunizations, which also provide primary prevention of disease, are available for many biological hazards. Table 3-1 provides a reference list of recommendations for immunizations against some frequently encountered biological hazards. Immunization requirements for all military personnel and other applicable non-military personnel can be found in the joint instruction Immunizations and Chemoprophylaxis (Air Force Joint Instructions 48-110, Army Regulation 40-562, BUMEDINST 6230.15, CG COMDINST M6230.4E of 1 NOV 95 (reference (nnn)).

C3.2.2.4.

Many biological hazards do not produce a biologic marker or physiologic effect that can be readily detected prior to the development of disease. Therefore, secondary prevention by screening for early health effects is often less effective than it may be for many chemical and physical hazards. On the other hand, Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one biological hazard that is associated with a practical screening measure. The tuberculosis (TB) skin test may be used to identify individuals with a previous TB exposure and latent TB infection. Medical surveillance for health care workers with potential exposure to tuberculosis is included in Section C3.2.3.2.

C3.2.2.5. Hantavirus is a recently identified biological hazard that is spread to humans primarily through the inhalation of aerosolized dried rodent excreta. Transmission through exposure of excreta to eyes and broken skin and the handling of rodents or rodent tissue, are also thought possible. Many types of rodents, including the deer mouse, pinon mouse, brush mouse, western chipmunk and cotton rat have been identified as reservoirs for the virus and all geographic regions of the US are considered at risk. The disease in humans presents like influenza and may rapidly progress to a life-threatening respiratory disease. Workers at highest risk are those employees who have contact with rodents, disturb rodent nesting, process soil, vegetation, or rodent tissue potentially infected with hantavirus, or have anticipated or suspected exposure when entering or working in facilities where there is a potential for exposure to hantavirus. Prevention of the disease involves education of workers and proper protective measures including use of personal protective equipment. For employees with a high potential for exposure, drawing and freezing pre-exposure, baseline serum samples has been recommended. Serum samples retained for future comparison must be stored at -20 degrees C (reference (ooo)).

C3.2.2.6. Another recently recognized infectious disease is human ehrlichiosis caused by species of the genus Ehrlichia. The disease is usually an acute febrile illness and is associated with tick bites, much like Lyme disease. The disease may be diagnosed by the development of antibodies that cross react with the Ehrlichia canis antigen (Ehrlichia canus is not the cause of human disease). Frozen, serum samples may be helpful to recognize changes in serum antibody titers. (reference (ppp).

C3.2.2.7. Biological hazards associated with research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) may have special requirements. Guidance concerning immunizations and medical examinations for these programs may be found in Department of the Army Pamphlet (DA PAM) 385-69 (reference (qqq)).

Table 3-1 U.S. Public Health Service Immunization Recommendations ^1,2

¹ The Immunization Practices Advisory Committee (ACIP) periodically reviews recommendations on vaccination and prophylaxis. When recommendations are revised, they are published individually in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

² General information on immunization schedules and handling, storage and administration of vaccines can be found in MMWR document--"General Recommendations on Immunizations." MMWR 1994;(RR-1):1-39 (reference (cccc)).

³ The MMWR is available on the World Wide Web through the CDC Homepage
( http://www.cdc.gov) or by subscription which can be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325.

⁴ Each year influenza vaccine recommendations are reviewed and amended to reflect updated information on influenza activity in the United States and to provide information on the vaccine available for the upcoming influenza season. These recommendations are published in the MMWR annually, usually in May or June.

* Current recommendations for hepatitis, viral A, immunizations are not available in the MMWR, but may be found in the Annals of Internal Medicine 1996;124:35-40 (reference (dddd)) or New England Journal of Medicine 1997;336:196-204 (reference (eeee)).

C3.2.3. Occupational Groups

C3.2.3.1. Animal-handlers.

C3.2.3.1.1. Hazard Description. Animal handlers who work with or around wild, domestic or laboratory animals may be at risk for a number of infectious diseases spread by or in association with animals. In addition to the infectious hazards, small proteins from animal danders or urine, may be the cause of allergic reactions in sensitized individuals. Work with or around animals can also expose the worker to biomechanical hazards associated with lifting cages or feed bags and physical trauma secondary to bites and scratches from animals. Numerous infectious diseases can be spread through contact with animals, animal excretions or biologic material. Rabies is a well-known animal- related infectious disease but other less well known diseases, such as Q-fever, brucellosis, and herpes B virus can be spread from animals to humans. Allergies to animals or animal products can produce a spectrum of allergic responses from common allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis to life threatening asthma. (reference (ccc))

C3.2.3.1.2. Exposure Limits. There are no exposure limits for this occupational category.

C3.2.3.1.3. Target Organ(s) and Potential Health Effects. The target organs and potential health effects will depend upon the hazards to which the employee is exposed. All infectious diseases can affect the immune and lymphatic system; sensitizing animal proteins can affect the respiratory system through the induction or aggravation of allergic rhinitis and asthma; and the reproductive system or reproduction can be affected by the known teratogenic agents such as Toxoplasma gondii.

C3.2.3.1.4. Criteria for Entry into Medical Surveillance Program.

C3.2.3.1.4.1. There are no mandatory criteria for entrance into medical surveillance programs for individuals exposed to animals. This program is designed for all Department of Defense personnel who have occupational exposure to animals including: the direct care of animals or their living areas; or the direct contact with animals (live or sacrificed), their viable tissues, body fluids, or wastes. Typically animal workers are placed into three risk categories based upon the type of animals handled:

Risk Category 1: rodents, rabbits, aquatics
Risk Category 2: cats, dogs, livestock, ferrets
Risk Category 3: non-human primates

C3.2.3.1.4.2. The content of the medical surveillance program, including content of screening or requirements for immunizations, is based upon the Risk Category.

C3.2.3.1.5. Surveillance Frequency. Pre-placement evaluations are recommended for all animal handlers. The periodic examination frequency is based upon Risk Category and the need for immunizations. If periodic evaluations are necessary, they are generally done annually.

C3.2.3.1.6. Medical and Occupational History. The medical and occupational history should concentrate on those conditions or exposures that may place the worker at increased risk for infection. The following specific areas should be emphasized.

C3.2.3.1.6.1. History of medical conditions associated with suppression of the immune system, including underlying chronic medical conditions, (i.e., chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus), use of corticosteroids, and use of immune suppressive agents.

C3.2.3.1.6.2. Verification of immunizations, including tetanus.

C3.2.3.1.6.3. History of allergies, including atopy, dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sensitivity to latex products.

C3.2.3.1.6.4. Reproductive status of worker (specifically current pregnancy for female animal handlers.)

C3.2.3.1.7. Physical Examination. Pre-placement examination requirements and annual medical screening for animal handlers may vary by Risk Category and job description. All risk categories should have vital signs and a review of their medical history. Additional requirements are listed in paragraph C3.2.3.1.9.

C3.2.3.1.8. Additional studies.

C3.2.3.1.8.1. All Risk Categories: Tetanus immunization history and immunization update as indicated.

C3.2.3.1.8.2. Additional for Risk Category 2: toxoplasmosis titer for females of child-bearing age with exposure to cats; rabies prophylaxis if exposure warrants; and Q-fever titer if exposure warrants.

C3.2.3.1.8.3. Additional for Risk Category 3: rubeola titer/immunization if exposure warrants; and tuberculosis screening by skin test if indicated.

C3.2.3.1.9. Other Elements.

C3.2.3.1.9.1. Rabies immunization. Individuals who should receive pre-exposure prophylaxis with human diploid cell rabies vaccine (HDCV) include: those working directly with rabies virus; those having direct contact with animals in quarantine; those having exposure to potentially infected animal body organs or performing post-mortem examinations on animals with a history of poorly defined neurological disorders; those having the responsibility for capturing or destroying wild animals; or those having large animal (Risk Category 2) contact where a potential for exposure exists. Serological monitoring is performed annually on all HDCV recipients with the exception of the first year when the primary series is given. Booster doses are administered to employees with inadequate titers unless they have a history of a hypersensitivity reaction to the vaccine.

C3.2.3.1.9.2. Toxoplasmosis titer. Women of child-bearing age who are occupationally exposed to cats and/or their waste should be screened for toxoplasmosis and receive appropriate health education regarding the risk of this disease during pregnancy. Every effort should be made to arrange temporary job reassignment while a susceptible employee is pregnant.

C3.2.3.1.9.3. Q fever titer. Employees at risk of exposure to Q fever include those with direct contact with Coxiella burnetti and those who handle or use products of parturition (placenta, amniotic fluid, blood or soiled bedding) from infected sheep, goats or cattle. At the time of the pre-exposure examination, the individual should be assessed for the likelihood of developing chronic sequelae of Q fever should they acquire the disease. Individuals susceptible include those who are immunosuppressed and/or have valvular or congenital heart problems.

C3.2.3.1.9.4. Specific immunizations. Other specific immunizations and antibody titers should be given or obtained on all animal-handlers working with specific agents or with infected or potentially-infected animals.

C3.2.3.1.9.5. Storage or banking of serum samples is not required except when determined to be appropriate and beneficial for the potential exposures encountered. If serum samples are stored, it is imperative that proper labeling and storage are available. (reference (ppp)).

C3.2.3.2. Health Care Workers

C3.2.3.2.1. Hazard Description. Health care facilities may present a number of hazards for health care workers (HCWs). Sections C3.2.3.2.1.1 through C3.2.3.2.1.4 provide a partial listing of possible hazards in the hospital worksite.

C3.2.3.2.1.1. Hazardous Drugs. Hazardous drugs are those drugs, whether considered cytotoxic or not, that have proven genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, teratogenicity or fertility impairment, or produce serious organ or other toxic manifestations at low doses in experimental animals or treated patients. Essentially all chemotherapeutic agents and a significant number of the anti-viral agents are included in this category. Worker exposure to these agents occurs during drug preparation, administration, and disposal under the OSHA Technical Manual Directive (reference (ffff)).

C3.2.3.2.1.2. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) is an aerosol-spread organism that is a known cause of human infection. Transmission of M. tuberculosis from individuals with respiratory infection is a known risk to patients and HCWs in health-care facilities. Historically respiratory tuberculosis infections were treatable with anti-tuberculous medication. Recently the organism has developed resistance to standard anti-tuberculous medication and this resistant organism is referred to as MDR-TB (multi-drug resistant tuberculosis). This emergence of drug-resistant organisms, along the with the difficulty in identifying and diagnosing the tuberculosis infection, especially in individuals with other underlying diseases such as AIDS, has increased the risk of exposure to TB for HCWs under the guidelines (reference (gggg)). TB infection in humans can be categorized as "latent" or active. Latent TB infection is an asymptomatic condition characterized by a positive purified protein tuberculin (PPD) skin test. Individuals with latent TB may or may not have chest x-ray findings consistent with "old TB." On the other hand, active respiratory / pulmonary TB infection is usually characterized by cough, sputum production, fever, night sweats, and weight loss. Typically, if the infected individual has an otherwise intact immune system, the TB skin test is positive and the chest x-ray will reveal evidence of the infection. Prevention of the spread of TB is through the early identification and isolation of infected individuals and the use of respiratory protection by the HCWs. If the HCW is provided respiratory protection they must also be enrolled in the Respiratory Protection Program (see Chapter 2).

C3.2.3.2.1.3. Other Chemical and Physical Hazards. HCWs frequently encounter numerous other workplace hazards. The biomechanical hazards of lifting patients and pushing food and laundry carts are a common cause of low back pain and injury in the health care setting. Heat and noise hazards can also be found in mechanical spaces, laundries and kitchens. Many chemicals are used in the hospital work environment. Individual OSHA standards govern the medical screening for workers exposed to ethylene oxide and formaldehyde, but other common hospital chemicals, such glutaraldehyde, are not covered by any specific regulation. A recent addition to the list of hospital workplace hazards is exposure to airborne latex particles from gloves and other products made from latex. These latex particles have been identified as a cause of allergic reactions in both patients and sensitized workers (reference (hhhh)).

C3.2.3.2.1.4. Blood-borne Pathogens. Requirements for the medical aspects of the Blood-borne pathogens program, including vaccination against hepatitis B virus, are found in Chapter 2. The Department of Defense hepatitis B immunization policy requires hepatitis B vaccination for all Department of Defense medical or dental personnel hired or beginning health care worker activity after January 1, 1997 (reference (iiii)). See reference (iiii) for policy and exemptions.

C3.2.3.2.2. Exposure Limits. Not applicable.

C3.2.3.2.3. Target Organ(s) and Potential Health Effects. See Section C3.2.3.2.1.

C3.2.3.2.4. Criteria for entry into medical surveillance program. Criteria for entry into the medical programs for the OSHA-mandated Blood-borne Pathogens and Respiratory Protection programs are provided in Chapter 2. The OSHA Technical Manual chapter on controlling occupational exposures to hazardous drugs, recommends that those employees potentially exposed to hazardous drugs be enrolled in medical surveillance programs under the OSHA Technical Manual Directive (reference (ffff)). In 1994 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published "Guidelines for Preventing the Transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Health-Care Facilities, 1994" (MMWR volume 43 RR-13, Oct 28, 1994 (reference (gggg). These guidelines outlined the tuberculosis program recommended for health-care facilities and the requirements for TB skin testing in HCWs.

C3.2.3.2.5. Surveillance frequency. Pre-placement evaluations are indicated for all HCWs with potential hazardous exposures. The frequency of follow-up evaluations is based upon type, duration and risk of exposure. Health care facilities at high-risk for tuberculosis exposure may need to conduct TB screening every three-six months or as needed following known exposures. Otherwise, periodic screening is generally done annually. Examinations following acute exposures and at the termination of employment are also recommended for HCWs exposed to hazardous drugs. Recommendations for post-exposure prophylaxix for HIV exposed workers are provided in reference (jjjj).

C3.2.3.2.6. Medical and Occupational History. The medical and occupational history should be tailored to the type of HCW exposure.

C3.2.3.2.6.1. All HCWs should be asked about medical conditions that may suppress their immune system, including underlying chronic medical conditions, (i.e., chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus), use of corticosteriods, and use of immune suppressive agents.

C3.2.3.2.6.2. Verification of immunizations or documentation of antibodies to specific viruses is required of all HCWs. In addition to hepatitis B (see Chapter 2), immunization or immunity to rubella, measles, mumps and varicella (chicken pox) may be required or recommended (reference (vvv)).

C3.2.3.2.6.3. History of exposure to tuberculosis and history of results of prior TB skin testing.

C3.2.3.2.6.4. History of allergic dermatitis and specifically history of allergy to latex products.

C3.2.3.2.6.5. History of use or ability to wear respirator. (TB and Respiratory Protection Program)

C3.2.3.2.6.6. Reproductive status (specifically for female HCWs--if they are currently pregnant).

C3.2.3.2.6.7. Physical Examination. The physical examination requirements, like the medical/ occupational history requirements, will need to be based upon the toxic effects of the potential exposure and the need for respiratory protection or other personal protective equipment. For HCWs with potential exposure to hazardous drugs, a complete examination with emphasis on the skin, mucous membranes, cardiopulmonary system, lymphatic system, and liver is recommended.

C3.2.3.2.6.8. Laboratory.

C3.2.3.2.6.8.1. Immunizations, as indicated, or verification of immunity if required.

C3.2.3.2.6.8.2. TB skin testing as recommended by CDC guidelines (reference (eeee)).

C3.2.3.2.6.8.3. Other laboratory testing as indicated by history and physical examination.

C3.2.3.2.6.8.4. Annual influenza vaccination for health care workers is recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (reference (ttt)).

C3.2.3.2.6 8 5 For HCWs with exposure to hazardous drugs, a complete blood count with differential white blood cell count, liver function tests, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and urinalysis are recommended. The frequency of this testing may be from every year to every three years and should be determined by exposure, worker history and discretion of occupational medicine physician under the OSHA Technical Manual Directive (reference (ffff)).

C3.2.3.2.6.9. Other Elements. See Chapter 2 for requirements for the exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Appendix AP-5, Hepatitis B Vaccination Declination Form, should be completed and filed in the HCWs medical record if the HCW declines to receive the hepatitis B vaccination series. For uniformed Service members, waivers are granted only in case of legitimate religious objections to immunization and are revolked if necessary to ensure the accomplishment of the military mission.

C3.2.3.3. Firefighters.

DoD Instruction 6055.6, (reference (kkkk)) adopts the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1582, Medical Requirements for Firefighters (reference (llll)) as the medical surveillance guidelines for firefighters. These medical screening guidelines replace the medical qualification specifications for civilian firefighters (GS-081) specified by the Office of Personnel Management (reference (mmmm)). These standards are also applicable to full-time military firefighters, but not those assigned fire-fighting as an additional duty (e.g. shipboard fire fighting).

C3.2.3.3.1. Hazard Description. Firefighters are exposed to the chemical hazards of smoke and combustion products and the physical hazards of heat, climbing a ladder, carrying heavy equipment, and wearing a self-contained breathing apparatus. In addition to fighting fires, some firefighters serve as first responders for toxic chemical releases, hazardous material spills, confined space rescue, and for medical emergencies. To function as a firefighter, the individual must maintain a high level of physical fitness and have a healthy cardio-respiratory system.

C3.2.3.3.2. Exposure Limits. Not defined.

C3.2.3.3.3. Target Organ(s) and Potential Health Effects. The respiratory system is the primary target organ for inhalation exposures to smokes and fumes. The cardiovascular system must be able to respond to extremes of physical exertion and exposure to high ambient temperatures. The musculoskeletal system is also at risk from the requirement to climb ladders and carry loads.

C3.2.3.3.4. Criteria for Entry into Medical Surveillance Program. All firefighters are included in the program when they are hired to fight fires.

C3.2.3.3.5. Surveillance Frequency. All firefighters shall receive a medical evaluation annually to certify ability to continue participating in a training or emergency environment as a fire fighter. The medical evaluation shall include a physical examination according to the following schedule:

At time of placement
Ages 29 and under - every 3 years
Ages 30-39 - every 2 years
Ages 40 and over - every year

C3.2.3.3.6. Medical and Occupational History. At placement, a complete medical and occupational exposure history shall be obtained. This history should be updated on each subsequent evaluation.

C3.2.3.3.7. Physical Examination. Height, weight, blood pressure, pulse rate and respirations are required. For physical examinations, completed by the schedule listed above, the required elements of the physical examination are:

C3.2.3.3.7.1. Vital signs

C3.2.3.3.7.2. Height and weight

C3.2.3.3.7.3. Examination of skin; eyes, ears, nose and throat; and cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, endocrine/metabolic; musculoskeletal and neurologic systems.

C3.2.3.3.8. Laboratory.

C3.2.3.3.8.1. Required tests are:

C3.2.3.3.8.1.1. Audiometry;

C3.2.3.3.8.1.2. Visual acuity and peripheral vision;

C3.2.3.3.8.1.3. Pulmonary function testing (spirometry).

C3.2.3.3.8.2. Additional laboratory tests or diagnostic imaging if clinically indicated from medical history or physical examination findings.

C3.2.3.3.8.3. Other recommended, but not required, laboratory testing includes:

C3.2.3.3.8.3.1. Pre-placement chest x-ray;

C3.2.3.3.8.3.2. Baseline electrocardiogram;

C3.2.3.3.8.3.3. For firefighters age 40 and over--complete blood count, urinalysis, and chemistry profile (i.e. a focused chemistry panel such a cholesterol panel evaluating cardiovascular risk factors would be the most appropriate screen here as opposed to a generic blood chemistry panel). Consideration should be given to obtaining the above laboratory tests at placement for a baseline.

C3.2.3.3.9. Other Elements.

C3.2.3.3.9.1. Civilian Firefighters. The NFPA Medical Requirements for Firefighters provides guidance on which medical conditions disqualify (Category A conditions) or may potentially disqualify (Category B conditions) an individual from being a firefighter. Each installation providing medical screening for firefighters should have access to the NFPA document and should refer to these requirements in developing their firefighter medical monitoring program. While NFPA Category A conditions are listed as medically disqualifying, it is prudent to follow the guidance in 5 CFR Part 339 (reference (i)), Medical Qualification Determinations for the evaluation and disposition of both Category A and B conditions. This guidance specifically addresses that care be used to consider each case on an individual basis, obtaining consultation on each case with the employee�s private physician or with the relevant military medical specialists as appropriate. A determination should be made by the examining physician whether a disqualifying medical condition is temporary or permanent in nature and whether the employee�s medical condition has reached maximum medical benefit. This information should be discussed with the employee�s supervisor and employee relations representative (with care given not to divulge medical information which might be considered confidential). Guidance should be given to the supervisor on what accommodations might be possible for the employee to perform the minimum essential functions of his/her job. The final decision on whether an employee with a disqualifying medical condition is to be retained at work or accommodated is a managerial decision, not a medical decision.

C3.2.3.3.9.2. Military Firefighters. The NFPA medical monitoring requirements defined in NFPA Standard 1582 (reference (llll)) shall be applied to full-time military firefighters. Medical fitness for duty procedures for military members shall follow Service specific Medical Evaluation and Physical Evaluation Board procedures. Final determination of duty status for military members is a personnel action (similar to the case with civilian employees) defined by the Physical Evaluation Board process mentioned above.

C3.2.3.3.9.3. Reserve Force Firefighters. Medical surveillance requirements and fitness for duty evaluations for reserve force firefighters shall address only those exposures or functional capabilities expected during active duty, including anticipated duties during deployment. The NFPA medical monitoring requirements defined in NFPA Standard 1582 (reference (llll)) shall be applied to reserve force firefighters. Fitness for duty procedures shall follow Service specific medical evaluation and physical examination board procedures (identical to the active duty force). Medical monitoring requirements for exposures while employed by the States or other non-Department of Defense organizations, as well as fitness for duty evaluations arising from these activities, is beyond the scope of this Manual and will be addressed by those employers.

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