Medical Surveillance Program

A workplace that contains hazardous waste poses many threats to employees, including high stress levels, effects of toxic chemicals, safety and biological hazards, radiation exposure, heat stress from wearing protective equipment (or working under temperature extremes), and life-threatening emergencies, such as explosions and fires. For these reasons, it is vital that the workplace provide a medical surveillance program.

OSHA defines medical surveillance as "the analysis of health information to look for problems that may be occurring in the workplace that require targeted prevention." OSHA sees surveillance as a "feedback loop to the employer" so that the employer is aware of the effects of the workplace on its employees. Medical surveillance includes screenings before an employee begins work, and, therefore, provides information about the health and capabilities of an employee before he or she begins employment on-site.

Employers should consult OSHA's document titled Medical Screening and Surveillance Requirements in OSHA Standards: A Guide for specific requirements about the screening and surveillance of each chemical found in the workplace. Medical surveillance is also outlined in CFR 1910.120.

To learn more about HAZWOPER visit our HAZWOPER 40 Hour Online Training web page.