HazMat and HAZWOPER physicals under OSHA 1910.120
Baseline, periodic, and exit medical surveillance for employees who work with hazardous materials or respond to hazardous-substance releases, with respirator clearance in the same visit.
Before you come in
What to bring and how to prepare
OSHA requires the employer to give the physician your job duties, expected exposures, and PPE. Bring an authorization that includes them and the exam can be completed in one visit.
Good to know
- Drink water beforehand; a urine sample may be needed.
- Do not smoke for an hour before spirometry, and avoid loud noise for 14 hours before an audiogram.
- Tell us about any exposure incident, even a minor one, since your last exam.
Bring
- Photo ID
- Employer authorization with site, expected exposures, and PPE level
- Prior HAZWOPER surveillance results, if you have them
- A complete list of medications and doses
- The respirator make and model you use
- Glasses or hearing aids
The visit
What the HAZWOPER physical includes
Exposure and work history
Medical and work history with emphasis on the substances you may encounter and symptoms of exposure.
Vitals, vision, hearing
Height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, vision screen, and hearing check.
Physician exam
Head-to-toe exam focused on fitness to wear PPE and a respirator, including under heat stress.
Testing
Spirometry, audiogram, and blood or urine testing as the exposures your employer lists require.
Written opinion
The physician’s written opinion to the employer and full results to you.
HAZWOPER surveillance due for your crew?
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What it is
Surveillance for the people who handle the hazardous work
OSHA’s Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response standard requires a medical surveillance program for employees exposed to hazardous substances at or above permissible limits, employees who wear a respirator 30 or more days a year, HAZMAT team members, and anyone injured or showing symptoms from an exposure. The exam is required before assignment, at least every 12 months, at termination or reassignment, and after an exposure incident.
The exam emphasizes fitness for duty while wearing protective equipment, including in heat, and the specific substances the employee may encounter. We run it to the standard, issue the physician’s written opinion the employer must keep, and coordinate the DOT physical for drivers who also haul hazardous materials.
After the exam
A written opinion, and an exit exam when you leave the work
The employer receives the physician’s written opinion: whether you have a condition that increases risk from the work or from respirator use, any recommended limitations, and confirmation you were informed. Full results come to you. The standard also requires an exam at termination or reassignment.
- Written opinion
- To the employer, limited to fitness for the work and PPE, recommended limitations, and confirmation of results given to you.
- Limitations
- Specific limits on exposure or respirator use, for HR and your safety officer to apply.
- Exit exam
- Required at termination or reassignment unless a qualifying exam was done within the prior six months.
- Post-exposure
- An additional exam after an exposure incident or when symptoms develop, as the standard requires.
For employers
Baseline, annual, and exit exams on one schedule
We track each employee’s surveillance interval, run crews in blocks, include respirator clearance, and deliver written opinions your safety file can hold.
Common questions
HazMat and HAZWOPER physicals, answered
Answers from our front desk and examiners. General information, not medical or legal advice.
What is the difference between HazMat and HAZWOPER?
HazMat generally refers to handling or transporting hazardous materials, including drivers under DOT rules. HAZWOPER is OSHA’s standard for hazardous waste operations and emergency response, which requires training and the medical surveillance program described on this page.
Do you provide the 40-hour HAZWOPER training?
No. Training is separate from the medical program. We provide the medical surveillance exams the standard requires; your employer arranges training through a provider.
I drive hazmat loads. Do I need a DOT physical too?
If you hold a CDL and haul placarded hazardous materials, yes, the DOT physical is a separate FMCSA requirement. We can often complete both in one visit; tell us when you book.
What happens after an exposure incident?
Get emergency care first if you have symptoms. The standard requires a medical exam after an exposure or when symptoms develop. Contact your employer and come in, or tell the ER physician about the exposure and follow up with us.