10 - Medical Monitoring Programs

Abstract

This chapter introduces general guidelines for a medical program for the personnel at hazardous waste sites. It also provides a table of common toxins found at uncontrolled waste sites with recommended medical monitoring procedures and a sample occupational medical history form. A medical program is essential to assess and monitor workers' health and fitness, both prior to employment and during the course of work, to provide emergency and other treatment as needed, and to keep accurate records for future reference. The recommendations in this chapter assume that the workers will have adequate protection from exposures through administrative and engineering controls, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), and decontamination procedures. Medical monitoring should be used only as a backup to other controls. Each site should develop its own medical monitoring program based on its specific needs, location, and potential exposures. The program should be designed by the SSO in conjunction with an experienced occupational physician or other qualified occupational health consultant. The screening and examination protocols discussed in the chapter provide general outlines of a sample medical monitoring program. The ideal director of a site medical program is a board-certified occupational medicine physician or a doctor who has had extensive experience in occupational health services.