UVM Chemical Hygiene Plan
Section 8.0:
Medical Consultations and Examinations

8.0 Medical Consultations and Examinations

8.1 Availability

All employees who work with hazardous chemicals will have an opportunity to receive medical attention, including any follow-up examinations which the examining physician determines to be necessary, under the following circumstances:

Whenever an employee develops symptoms associated with a hazardous chemical to which the employee may have been exposed in the laboratory.

Where exposure monitoring reveals an exposure level routinely above the action level or PEL for an OSHA regulated substance for which there are exposure monitoring and medical surveillance requirements.

Whenever an event takes place in the work area such as a spill, leak, explosion or other occurrence resulting in the likelihood of a hazardous exposure.

The Risk Management Department will be contacted whenever the need for medical consultation or examination occurs, or when there is uncertainty as to whether any of the above criteria have been met.

8.2 Arranging for Exams

All medical examinations and consultations will be performed by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician and will be provided through the UVM Occupational Health Program, without loss of pay and at a reasonable time and place. In the event of a life-threatening illness or injury, dial 911 and request an ambulance.

8.3 Information

The University of Vermont will provide the examining physician with the following information:

The identity of the hazardous chemical(s) to which the employee may have been exposed.

A description of the conditions under which the exposure occurred including quantitative exposure data, if available.

A description of the symptoms of exposure that the employee is experiencing, if any.

The above information will be collected and transmitted by the lab supervisor and will be submitted to the Risk Management Department as well as to the examining physician.

8.4 Report

The examining physician will provide to the lab supervisor and Risk Management Department a written report including the following:

Any recommendation for further medical follow-up.

The results of the medical examination and any associated tests.

Any medical condition which may be revealed in the course of the examination which may place the employee at increased risk as a result of exposure to a hazardous chemical found in the workplace.

A statement that the employee has been informed by the physician of the results of the consultation or medical examination and any medical condition that may require further examination or treatment.

The written opinion will not reveal specific findings of diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure.

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