Occupational Health
Occupational health services include health exams such as employment physicals to check that staff can perform required job functions, antibody tests that check for immunity to communicable diseases, and vaccinations for employees who don't already have antibodies. Employers often require that staff get the various lab tests and examinations that are relevant to their industry or the employee's job type to ensure the workplace is safe for everyone.
Health Street's occupational health services can help employers reduce risks in the workplace, such as injuries, accidents, or the spread of infectious disease. Registering for occupational health tests is easy. Register online, or call (888) 378-2499.
What is tested in an occupational health screening exam?
Several types of occupational health screenings can be required of an employee depending on the demands of their job. Testing standards are overseen by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), created as part of the U.S. Department of Labor in 1970. Employers that are unsure of their requirements may wish to consult with an OSHA specialized health care provider to determine which tests are most appropriate for their needs. Common occupational health screenings include:
Antibody Testing
(starting at $149)
Check if a person has antibodies to specific diseases, such as:
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- hepatitis A, B, and C
Biometric Testing
(starting at $75)
Collect key measurements of a person's physical health, such as:
- Blood pressure
- BMI
- Weight
- Lipid and blood glucose
Diagnostic Blood
(starting at $78)
Measure a person's blood for important health indicators like:
- Kidney and liver function
- Electrolytes
- Sugar level
Employment Physicals
(starting at $125)
Physicals can include:
- DOT physicals
- Non-DOT physicals
- Kraus Weber lower back exams
- Lift tests
Respiratory Health
(starting at $80)
Assess respiratory health by registering for:
- Pulmonary function tests
- EKGs
- X-rays
- Respirator fit tests
Tuberculosis (TB)
(starting at $125)
Tuberculosis testing options can include:
- Oxford T-Spot tests
- PPD skin tests
- Chest x-rays
Vaccinations
(starting at $229)
Reduce the spread of disease with vaccines, such as:
- Varicella (Chickenpox)
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Tetanus
- Hepatitis A and B
Vision & Hearing
(starting at $75)
Choose an audiometric test, or any of four vision tests:
- Ishihara
- Jaeger
- Snellen
- Titmus
Are occupational health services different for different cities?
Laws and legislation for occupational health testing may vary from location to location, and it is important for employers to stay updated with this information. To learn more about occupational health services for a specific location, try taking a look at the following page:
Why obtain an occupational health screening?
Occupational health services help employers ensure the safety of their workplace. There are several reasons why employers may wish to obtain occupational health screenings, lab tests, or physical exams for their new or existing staff. For example:
Occupational health services include blood tests such as antibody tests (titers), employment physicals, lift tests, biometric screenings, respiratory function assessments, TB tests, and immunizations. Employers can require employees to take an occupational health exam on a pre-employment basis, annually, or at any other point as the need requires. Many times, government regulations from agencies such as state health departments or the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) will define the requirements for who needs to be tested and how often those screenings must occur.
Occupational health screenings are an important way for employers to keep everyone in the workplace safe from injury, illness, and even infectious disease. In 2020, the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, which caused broad shutdowns of work sites across the country, highlighted just how important it is for employers to screen staff for contagious and dangerous viruses. It also showed how occupational health services provide protection from hazards. For example, respirator fit tests help ensure that N-95 masks have the optimal fit and protection for the employee wearing it.
What is an occupational health screening?
Occupational health screenings can be divided into a few different categories based on the reason they are requested and the type of tests required. In general, occupational health exams are concerned with making sure that an employee (or job applicant) can carry out their required tasks without incurring any harm to themselves or causing harm to others. The four main reasons an employer can require an occupational health service of an employee or applicant are:
Occupational Health Testing Methods
Common occupational health testing methods that are used by employers include the following:
The choice of a testing method to complete a particular occupational health exam is dependent on the reason for completing the screening. When choosing screening requirements, employers and health care providers must adhere to restrictions as laid out in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
When can employers require workers to take an occupational health screening test?
Depending on a worker's role, there are generally five times an employer can request an exam:
Employers usually request health screenings during the application phase to ensure that a potential employee can safely fulfill their necessary tasks. Periodic tests can be required to make sure an employee is maintaining the necessary health standards to complete their job, for example, on an annual basis.
After an employee has been on leave or in a hazardous environment, employers can require health surveillance screenings to ensure they have remained healthy and/or that they can resume meeting the physical demands of the occupation. Employees who work with hazardous materials or in dangerous environments can also be asked to complete a screening before leaving a position to verify their health status, and document if they were impacted in any way by on-the-job exposure.
Why are occupational health screening exams important for employers and workers?
Occupational health screenings are intended to keep both employees and those around them safe from potential injury or illness. The OSHA requirements concerning health screenings were written specifically to keep employees safe while also shielding employers from liability due to negligence.
Preventative health screenings can help employees stop issues before they become problems, while health maintenance exams can help prevent employees from getting hurt or sick on the job. Event-based health screenings can save the life of a worker and those they come into contact with.