Initial Examination

Employees must be offered a medical examination before they begin working in areas where they may be exposed to cotton dust. This initial examination consists of four parts:

• A review of the worker's medical history
• A standardized questionnaire that asks about coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, and other factors related to lung health (this questionnaire can be found in 8 CCR 5190, Appendix B)
• A pulmonary function measurement, which is a test to determine how well the lungs work
• A grade based on Schilling's byssinosis classification, which will be discussed next

If the pulmonary function measurement is performed by anyone other than a licensed doctor, that person must complete a training session in spirometry (lung testing) approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

To learn more about Cotton Dust Safety visit our Cal/OSHA Cotton Dust Safety Online Training web page.