Employment Exams
Asbestos/Silica (Initial/Periodic Exam)


DEFINITION

Asbestosis is a progressive and disabling lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibers. The fibers become lodged in the lungs and can cause scarring. This causes the lining of the lungs to thicken and the lungs to lose their ability to remove oxygen from the air. In addition, exposure to asbestos increases the risk of lung cancers called mesothelioma.


This is a screening examination to look for medical problems associated with asbestos exposure. Workers dealing with asbestos are required to take exams annually. A Termination of Employment examination is required of workers exposed to inhalation of asbestos. Besides pulmonary problems, asbestos workers have a higher risk of cancer of the digestive system.


The examination, OAR 437, DIV 2 (29 CFR 1910), is a comprehensive review of exposure history and a careful physical examination.

 

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR ASBESTOS MEDICAL EXAMINATION

 

This examination takes approximately 1 hour (annual exam) and 1 & 1/2 hours to complete for initial exam. Please arrive 45 minutes early to complete paperwork. If you smoke, please do not smoke or eat anything 1 hour prior to your exam. Please plan on spending 2 hours at the clinic.

 

During your evaluation, the physician and/or the Medical Assistant will:

  • Measure your height and weight.
  • Check your vision.
  • Take a blood pressure reading.
  • Perform a pulmonary function test to measure lung capacity.
  • Collect a urine sample to check for sugar, blood and protein.
  • Examine your eyes, ears, nose and throat.
  • Listen to your chest and heart.
  • If you are 40 years or older, you will be given a stool sample card and asked to return it to the clinic in a timely manner.
  • If you will be working around lead, you will have your blood drawn.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR SILICA MEDICAL EXAMINATION

 

This examination takes approximately 1 hour (annual exam) and 1 & 1/2 hours to complete for initial exam. Please arrive 30 minutes early to complete paperwork (unless previously completed by downloading the forms from our website – see below). If you smoke, please do not smoke or eat anything 1 hour prior to your exam. Please plan on spending 2 hours at the clinic.

 

During your evaluation, the physician and/or the Medical Assistant will:

  • Measure your height and weight.
  • Check your vision.
  • Take a blood pressure reading.
  • Perform a pulmonary function test to measure lung capacity.
  • Collect a urine sample to check for sugar, blood and protein.
  • Examine your eyes, ears, nose and throat.
  • Listen to your chest and heart.
  • If your company requires drug testing, you will be asked to submit a urine sample.

 

# Frequency of Chest Roentgenograms:

 

 

 

Age of Employee

 

Years since first exposure

15 to 35

35+ to 45

45+

0 to 10

Every 5 Years

Every 5 Years

Every 5 Years

10+

Every 5 Years

Every 2 Years

Every 1 Year

 

 

 

You can download our forms prior to your visit from the list below. Please print and fill them out completely to expedite your visit with Cascade Occupational Medicine.

 

REQUIRED FORMS:


Patient Registration Form

Consent for Contracted Services Form

Asbestos Annual Questionnaire
Initial Medical & Work History
OSHA Respirator Questionnaire

 


All forms are presented in PDF format. Adobe Reader or similar software is required to be installed on your computer in order to properly display and print these forms. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, please click the icon at the bottom of the page.

 


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