OSHA medical surveillance exams, standard by standard
The medical exams specific OSHA standards require for silica, asbestos, lead, hexavalent chromium, noise, and respirator use, with the written medical opinion your file needs.
Before you come in
What to bring and how to prepare
The most common delay is an authorization that does not name the standard or the exposure. Ask your employer to include both.
Good to know
- Avoid loud noise for 14 hours before an audiogram; OSHA’s hearing conservation standard requires it.
- Do not smoke for an hour before spirometry.
- Bring prior results so the physician can compare against your baseline.
Bring
- Photo ID
- Employer authorization naming the standard and the exposure
- Prior surveillance results or chest X-ray reports, if you have them
- A complete list of medications and doses
- The respirator make and model you use, if respirator clearance is included
- Glasses or hearing aids
The visit
What the OSHA surveillance exam includes
Identify the standard
The employer’s authorization states the exposure and the standard, so the right exam is run and the right form is used.
History and questionnaire
Medical and work history with emphasis on the exposure, plus the standard-specific questionnaire where one exists.
Exam and testing
Physician exam with spirometry, audiogram, or blood work as the standard requires.
Imaging ordered
When the standard calls for a chest X-ray, we order it, refer you to an imaging center, and follow up on the report.
Written opinion
The physician’s written medical opinion to the employer, and full results to you.
Surveillance exams due for your crew?
Monday–Friday, 7am to 5pm at Denver, Lakewood, Parker, and Thornton. Hablamos Español.
What it is
Exams the standard requires, documented the way OSHA expects
Several OSHA substance-specific and program standards require medical surveillance for exposed employees: respirable crystalline silica (1910.1053 and 1926.1153), asbestos (1910.1001 and 1926.1101), lead (1910.1025), hexavalent chromium (1910.1026), hearing conservation (1910.95), and respirator use (1910.134). Each names what the exam includes, how often it repeats, and what the employer may receive.
We run the exam to the standard that applies, provide the physician’s written medical opinion in the form the standard describes, and keep the employee’s full results confidential. Where a standard requires a chest X-ray, we order it at an imaging center, follow up on the report, and include it in the opinion.
After the exam
The written medical opinion your file requires
Each standard limits what the employer may receive to a written medical opinion: whether the employee has a condition that increases risk from the exposure, any limitations on exposure or respirator use, and confirmation the employee was informed. Full results go to the employee.
- Written opinion
- To the employer, in the form the standard describes. No diagnoses beyond what the standard permits.
- Employee results
- Full results and an explanation of any findings, with referral to your own provider when needed.
- Follow-up
- Repeat testing, imaging follow-up, or a referral when a finding calls for it.
- Recordkeeping
- Results retained for the period the standard requires and available to the employee on request.
For employers
Stay ahead of surveillance deadlines
We track each employee’s interval by standard, schedule crews in blocks, and deliver written opinions in a format your safety file can hold.
Common questions
OSHA exams, answered
Answers from our front desk and examiners. General information, not medical or legal advice.
Which OSHA standards require a medical exam?
Common ones for Colorado employers are respirable crystalline silica, asbestos, lead, hexavalent chromium, hearing conservation (audiograms), respirator use (medical evaluation), and HAZWOPER. Each standard sets its own trigger, content, and frequency.
Does my employer see my results?
No. The employer receives the physician’s written medical opinion, which the standard limits to fitness for the exposure, any recommended limitations, and confirmation you were informed of the results. Your full results come to you.
Do you take the chest X-ray on site?
No. Injury Care Associates does not have on-site imaging. When a standard requires a chest X-ray we order it, refer you to an imaging center, follow up on the report, and remain your examining provider of record.
How often does the exam repeat?
The standard sets it. For example, silica surveillance repeats at least every three years, asbestos annually, and lead surveillance is tied to blood lead levels. Your employer’s authorization and our reminders keep you on schedule.