Employment Exams
Respirator Certification - Initial and Periodic
DEFINITION
These examinations are done at the post-offer stage and annually. These examinations are strongly recommended by OSHA. The examination consists of a medical and work history, physical examination of the eyes, ears, nose and throat, chest, heart, lungs, musculoskeletal system and neurological system. A vision assessment urine dipstick, as well as spirometry are recommended. Some companies also include an audiogram if the wearer of the respirator is working in a moist environment. A respirator examination is accompanied by a respirator certification which is sent to the company indicating the type of respirator and the conditions under which the employee is certified to use it. This respirator exam is appropriate for employees who rarely wear a respirator and who are not routinely exposed to hazardous chemicals. If blood screening such as complete blood count, chemistry panel, lipid profile is desired or there is routine exposure to hazardous chemicals then a more appropriate examination would be Medical Surveillance Exam.
Depending upon the examination findings and/or the result of your pulmonary function test, your examination may also include a one or two view chest x-ray.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR RESPIRATOR MEDICAL EXAMINATION
Based on the answers given on your respirator questionnaire, the physician feels that further examination is necessary in order for you to be medically certified to wear a respirator. This examination takes approximately 1 hour to complete.
Please arrive 30 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 1 1/2 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
*Depending upon the examination findings and the result of your pulmonary function test, your examination may also include a one or two view chest x-ray.
Upon completion of your examination your company will be notified if, in the opinion of the examining physician, you are or are not medically certified to wear a respirator.
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:
Consent for Contracted Services Form
Initial Medical and Work HIstory
Spiromerty Pre-testing 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.
