Employer Responsibilities - Medical Screening Tests

Employers must provide screening for all employees who will come into contact with potentially dangerous chemicals or substances. The required medical screening for employees will vary depending on the types of chemicals the employee will encounter.

OSHA provides details regarding the required medical screening in its document, Medical Screening and Surveillance Requirements in OSHA Standards: A Guide. In this guide, you can learn about what tests and exams are required for employees working with various chemicals. Depending on the chemical, the following types of exams and tests may be required:

• Pre-placement exams that must take place before the employee begins working with the particular chemical
• Periodic exams, and how often they are required (annually, bi-annually, and so forth)
• Exams and tests following an emergency or hazardous exposure
• Exams required upon employee termination
• Exams that focus on certain parts of the body (respiratory system, skin, gastrointestinal, and so forth)
• Work and medical history reports
• Chest X-rays
• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs)
• Tests that evaluate an employee's ability to wear a respirator
• Written medical opinions by the physician
• Any other required tests specific to a particular chemical or substance

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