OSHA Compliance Evaluations

As part of their regulatory compliance, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires certain medical examinations to be performed under specific work conditions. OHSA compliance evaluations assess an employee’s fitness to effectively operate the tools needed for their job to avoid workplace hazards. During each assessment, SIH Work Care providers use an OSHA compliance checklist that includes a risk assessment matrix to evaluate any health and risk factors for employment.

What is the purpose of a risk assessment?

A risk assessment helps keep employees safe and minimizes the potential for accidents and unexpected medical costs to the employer. To learn more, you can visit the OHSA website, where you can access the OHSA compliance manual, OHSA job hazard analysis, which includes the OHSA hazard assessment form, as well as other resources related to employer standards for worker care.

SIH Work Care providers have completed OHSA compliance training. They work with employers who require employee testing to maintain healthy, safe workplaces. The OHSA compliance evaluation services that we offer include:

Respirator Fit and Clearance Testing

OHSA Safety compliance guidelines state that any employee who uses a respirator as part of their job must have their equipment fitted annually. SIH Work Care performs respiratory fit and clearance testing to ensure that employees are protected under OHSA requirements. Testing can be done in two ways – quantitative or qualitative.

Quantitative testing is a simple pass/fail exam that measures the subject’s response to sensory, including touch, taste and scent. We perform these tests for individual employees at our clinic, or onsite for larger groups.

Qualitative testing meets all OHSA safety compliance standards and is fast and reliable. Using negative pressure technology, we measure and test the respirator for leakage. The subject is required to wear and remove the mask a few times throughout the test to ensure accuracy and effectiveness of fit.

OHSA Questionnaire

When an employee is tested for a respirator fit, they are required by OHSA to complete a respiratory questionnaire. A physician reviews this questionnaire before testing to ensure that employees are healthy enough to use a respirator. If the test is being conducted at our clinic, the employee can complete the questionnaire during the testing appointment. For onsite tests, the questionnaire needs to be submitted 48 hours in advance of the onsite appointment.

Audiometric Testing

Audiometric testing is used to evaluate a subject's hearing. During audiometric testing, we may need to perform a variety of different tests. These tests are non-invasive and painless. They measure the subject’s ability to hear different sounds, pitches and frequencies.

These tests are conducted in a quiet soundproof environment. There is no preparation required and no risks associated with audiometric testing. Following testing, we can provide employers with the results with or without interpretation, as needed.

Pulmonary Function Testing

Pulmonary Function Testing (PFTs), also known as Spirometry, measures the volume, capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange in the lungs. These tests are done to measure an employee’s respiratory and lung health for job readiness in an occupational setting. PFTs are often done in conjunction with respiratory fit testing to assess an employee’s health and risk factors before using a respirator.

PFTs involve blood pressure reading, an assessment of past exposure to substances affecting the lungs and current lung functions, including symptoms and any recent exposure to substances.

Request an Appointment

To schedule an appointment or learn more about OSHA compliance evaluations, contact SIH Work Care at 618-993-3817.