Employee Medical Monitoring Program
Introduction
Medical surveillance in the occupational setting is the systematic collection and analysis of the health information on groups of workers potentially exposed to harmful agents, for the purpose of identifying health effects at an early and hopefully reversible stage. Biological monitoring, or the measurement of tissue levels of contaminants or metabolites, is often included as part of a medical monitoring program, even though these tests do not measure adverse health outcomes.
The primary goal of the occupational health profession is to develop and implement methods and programs that will provide employees with a safe and healthful workplace. Employee health is fostered through keeping employees free of exposure or maintaining employee exposures at “acceptable levels.” Engineered equipment or processes and administrative controls are the primary methods for controlling these exposures. The use of personal protective equipment, such as respirators, is often indicated when engineered controls or administrative procedures are not feasible or reliable. In accordance with a general program of occupational safety and health, medical evaluation is required whenever respiratory protection is used.
The California Code of Regulations provides that employees with potential exposures to certain harmful agents shall receive medical monitoring examinations. These examinations serve the purpose of detecting adverse health effects which could possibly be related to workplace exposures. Early detection of disease will result in earlier treatment and will allow for cessation of additional exposures that could aggravate a potentially serious medical condition. In addition to monitoring of employee health, biological monitoring may also be necessary. Biological monitoring provides a correlation between external exposures and internal exposure. Biological monitoring provides a reliable indication of health risk to an individual worker.
CSU policy on Mandatory Medical Examinations-Personnel
Actions of Failure of Employee to Comply:
It is the policy of the
CSU that medical examinations mandated by federal and state laws and
regulations be strictly enforced by each campus. Failure or refusal of an
employee to undergo required medical testing as determined by campus management
shall constitute a failure or refusal to perform the normal and reasonable
duties of the position. In such event, the campus has the authority to
commence appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of
employment.