MedicalSurveillance

Medical surveillance is the periodic screening for work-related disease in workers who are overexposed to a hazard at work.

To be effective, the early detection of a work-related disease must translate to improved long-term health for workers.

Federal and provincial OHS regulations and industry standards can require employers to offer medical surveillance programs for workers exposed to hazards such as noise, silica, asbestos, and benzene.
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When planning a medical surveillance program, key questions to ask are:

* What is the hazard of concern?
* What level of exposure to the hazard warrants active monitoring for disease?
* What is the level of exposure in the workplace?
* Which workers are at sufficient risk (incidence) for disease to warrant screening?
* How sensitive and specific are the tests used to screen for the diseases?
* How will employees with positive screening tests be managed? (e.g. referral for further medical assessment, modified work, notification to workers’ compensation)
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Reference Articles and Resources
Medical Surveillance in the Workplace: Facts and Fallacies.
Alberta Occupational & Environmental Health Symposium, Calgary, AB.
Exposure Review, Health Risk, and Medical Surveillance: Benzene, Noise & Silica.
Encana Corporation, Calgary, AB.
Occupational Hygiene Investigation and Recommendations for Health Surveillance.
Bevel Edge Glassworks, Calgary, AB.
Medical Fitness and Surveillance Recommendations for Hazardous Materials Handling.
Western Research Ltd., Calgary, AB.
Ethylene Oxide: Medical Surveillance and Policy Recommendations.
Calgary District Hospital Group, Calgary, AB.
Baseline Medical Questionnaire Development: Creosote Waste Site Pilot Project.
Acres International Limited, Calgary, AB.
Annual Examinations for Infectious Disease in a Meatpacking Facility.
XL Foods Ltd., Calgary, AB.