Occupational Health Tests – Norfolk, VA

Norfolk workplace health laws are governed by the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Administration, which was established under Virginia law, Title 40.1. The VOSH board adopts and enforces job safety and health standards, which employers and employees are required to comply with.

Ensuring strict compliance with Norfolk occupational health laws benefits employers in many ways. Not only does this help employers avoid disciplinary action for failure to comply, but ensuring a safe and healthy workplace also helps improve employee morale and may reduce turnover, sick calls, and even workers' compensation claims.

Employees enjoy several benefits as well. When everyone works together to ensure safety, there's far less chance of suffering from a work-related injury or illness. Workers who understand how to access Norfolk occupational health services will also have the ability to report unsafe working conditions before they cause a serious problem. Employees who are clear about their responsibilities under the law can also avoid unintentionally creating a dangerous work environment for their coworkers.

There are many State of Virginia and City of Norfolk occupational health rules designed to protect both employers and employees. For example, to help curb the transmission of communicable diseases, workplace occupational health rules require certain employees to submit to tuberculosis (TB) screenings to ensure they are free from communicable forms of the disease. This includes employees in juvenile secure detention facilities and all public-school employees.

In addition, in the state of Virginia, all tattooers and body piercers must show proof of full hepatitis B vaccination or immunity to the disease, or submit a declaration of refusal.

Some Norfolk occupational health rules have also been enacted to ensure employees in certain fields are physically fit enough to perform the duties of their job. In June of 2014, the City of Norfolk issued Administrative General Order 325, which requires all sworn police officers employed with the city to participate in an annual medical exam and be cleared for duty. They must also participate in an annual fitness assessment and sign an acknowledgment that on-duty or off-duty use of tobacco products is prohibited as a condition of employment. Candidates for employment with the Norfolk Fire-Rescue department must also pass a physical ability test (PAT) prior to employment.