5057
nited States
nvironmental Protection
gency
Office of Occupational
Health & Safety
Washington, DC 20460
EPA The Occupational
Medical Monitoring
Program for
EPA Employees
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A Message from the Office of Occupational
Health and Safety
The Environmental Protection Agency
'(EPA) is vitally concerned with safeguarding
the occupational health and safety of its
employees The prevention of work related
illness and injury depends on awareness of
risk, control of the work environment, the
proper use of protection equipment, and
careful attention to safe work practices.
' Providing a safe work environment and
promoting healthful and safe work practices
are goals at every EPA location, and the
responsibility for occupational health and
safety is shared by everyone in the Agency
As part of this effort, the Office of
Occupational Health and Safety has devel-
oped an agency-wide employee occupational
medical monitoring program This pamphlet
will acquaint you with the program and
answer common questions
(Robert C. Magor, Ph.D.director
Office of Occupational Heath
and Safety
. Don Webb, Manager
Medical Monitoring Program
• What is Occupational Medical Monitoring?
Medical monitoring is a watch over the
health of selected employees by means of
periodic medical examinations; it is an effort
to detect and prevent adverse effects of
occupational exposures. An agency-wide
.EPA occupational medical monitoring pro-
. gram was started in 1977. This program is in
» addition to the employee health maintenance
examination, offered at some Federal em-
ployee health units. These examinations are
designed to promote general rather than
occupational health.
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fs The Program Voluntary?
With a few exceptions, participation in the
EPA monitoring program is voluntary. Much
of the value of a medical examination
depends on open, voluntary communication
between physician and examinee. You may
choose to participate or to decline. You may
withdraw from the program at any time, but
you must notify your Medical Monitoring
Coordinator. The on-site Medical Monitoring
Coordinator will keep a record of all employ-
ees to whom the exam is offered. This record
will be used to document the agency's
compliance with the requirement that it
offer the examination.
Who Pays For The Examination
The examinations are paid for by the
Agency.
How are the Examinations Arranged?
Each EPA location with a need for medical
monitoring arranges to have the examina-
tions performed by a qualified local
physician. Each EPA facility has designated
a Medical Monitoring Coordinator to organ-
ize and schedule the examinations.
What Is The Scope of the Examination
and How Frequently Is It Given?
The monitoring examinations and tests
are designed to screen for evidence of
adverse health effects from occupational
exposures and to survey the systems of the
body most likely to be affected by such
exposures. Medical monitoring is not
intended as a substitute for general health
care or periodic checkups by your personal
physician.
The first, or baseline, examination con-
sists of a detailed medical and occupational
history, a physical examination, a chest X-
ray, and selected blood and urine tests. If
warranted by occupational conditions, addi-
tional tests, such as hearing, lung function,
and special blood tests, may be included.
Ideally, the frequency and content of
subsequent monitoring examinations should
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be determined by the nature of the
occupational exposures and risks. In prac-
tice, most EPA employees can be effectively
monitored by examination yearly or every
other year.
The Agency Office of Occupational Health
and Safety issues periodic monitoring
guidelines and can provide consultation and
assistance regarding the content and
frequency of a specific examination.
What is done with the Exam/nation
Findings?
It is the responsibility of the examining
physician to advise all participants of his or
her examination findings. Those participants
with findings considered unrelated to
occupation are encouraged to discuss them
with their personal medical provider. Em-
ployees with examination findings that
appear to be related to occupation are
referred to their supervisor so that reports
and care can be initiated under the Federal
employee compensation system.
The physician is asked to inform EPA of
those cases with occupationally related
medical findings. On being notified of work-
related health problems, the Agency initi-
ates appropriate health and safety investiga-
tion and remedial action.
Summary
Your occupational health and safety
depend on careful attention to proper
working conditions and practices. If you are
nominated for an occupational medical
monitoring examination, remember that
such examinations aid in the prevention of
occupationally-related illness and in the
protection and maintenance of your health.
Unless otherwise notified your participation
is voluntary. All findings will be handled in a
responsible and confidential manner.
Need More Information?
If you want more information or have
questions, consult your supervisor, Medical
Monitoring Coordinator, or the EPA Office of
U^EWrftWrTtewW WtftSetfcyi Agency
Region v, Library
2JO South Ooarborn
Illinois 60604
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Why is a Medical Monitoring Program
Necessary?
Although most EPA employees are en-
gaged in work in which the occupational risks
are not significantly different from the
ordinary risks of everyday life, a considerable
number have duties that may involve
potential exposure to a wide variety of toxic
substances or stressful working conditions.
Medical monitoring can aid in:
• Early recognition of unsuspected
health risks
• Monitoring of the effectiveness of
protective measures taken for
known risks
• Prompt initiation of corrective
action and appropriate medical
care.
• Evaluation of health factors in safe
work performance
• Possible study of long-term subtle
health effects of occupational
exposure
• Periodic fitness re-certification of
employees whose work involves
unique physical stresses
How Are Employees Nominated for
Monitoring?
The medical monitoring program is
intended to provide examinations for EPA
employees whose work may involve signifi-
cant potential for exposure to toxic sub-
stances, occupational risks or unique
physical stress. It is the responsibility of
supervisors, with the assistance of em-
ployees themselves and health and safety
personnel, to carefully review work assign-
ments and to nominate program candidates.
The program is not intended to provide
examinations for all EPA employees.
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