Occupational Health Services

Occupational Medicine physicians from the Department of Public Health Sciences at the University of California, Davis, offer a comprehensive range of occupational health services for agencies involved with hazardous materials, including those involved in dismantling clandestine illegal drug manufacturing laboratories in Northern and Southern California. We offer a broad range of services, both diagnostic and therapeutic, for work-related illnesses such as respiratory problems resulting from fire, smoke inhalation and other hazardous material exposure. Examinations are provided on-site with our mobile medical unit or in rooms at your own facility. On-site examinations have proven very popular with many agencies because of the savings in not having to pay time and travel for employees going to a distant clinic to participate in the program. Employees we test are notified about laboratory abnormalities and receive a follow-up letter. We can design an appropriate, affordable program to fit your needs and can tailor services to organizations of all sizes.

Specially Tailored Programs

Occupational Medicine physicians look at the types of responses your Clan Lab Team makes and recommend a surveillance program based on actual risks. Services can be offered as a contractual package, which is developed specifically to meet the needs of your organization. Individually tailored programs help recognize and control hazards at the work site and assist in complying with OSHA regulations and current laws. On-site physicals offer a convenient and cost-effective approach to employee health evaluations. We will be happy to answer your questions or arrange an appointment to discuss health and safety for your organization. Working together, we can improve employee health and design a safer, more productive work environment.

Sample programs tailored to the needs of the workplace:

• The Physical Examination and Breathing Test

  Physical examinations are provided with special regard for substances in the workplace known to increase the incidence of disease (asbestos, chemical solvents, hazardous waste, heavy metals and respiratory irritants). On the questionnaire, we look for a history of previous respiratory disease or symptoms pertaining to respiratory fitness. We also look at any history of coronary disease and recent symptoms.

  The examination includes taking vital signs (blood pressure and pulse), as well as the pulse increase from rest and then after exercise. We look for lesions of the mouth and upper airway, integrity of tympanic membranes, and deformities of the face that would prevent proper fitting of a respirator. We examine for the presence of abnormal lung sounds and abnormal heart sounds or murmurs. We check for enlargement of the liver and finally, we look for evidence or peripheral neuropathy.

  Laboratory tests provide annual surveillance for anemia and solvent toxicity. Included in the tests we order is a chemistry lipid panel which screens for heart disease.

  The breathing test (spirometry) provides a baseline pulmonary function, and we review previous records for changes in pulmonary function over time. Spirometry testing also provides clues regarding presence of asthma or dust-related disease.

  As an example, below is our recommended program for narcotics agents who dismantle clandestine drug-manufacturing laboratories:
  
  

  • Medical and work history
  • Physical examination
  • Spirometry (breathing test)
  • Laboratory tests including a chemistry lipid panel and a complete blood count
  • Physician's evaluation

  Employees should receive the tests noted above each year.

  In addition, as indicated by the judgment of the reviewing physician, an employee with risk of coronary artery disease may be requested to complete an exercise tolerance test (ETT). Some risk factors for heart disease that might indicate the need for further testing include patients over the age of 45 or 50, patients with a family history of myocardial infarction (heart attack) before age 60, smokers, and patients with diabetes or hypertension. We can order an ETT through the UC Davis Medical Center. Alternatively, this examination may be obtained in your locale and the results forwarded to us.
  
  

• Hazardous Material Workers

  We provide medical surveillance services for fire fighters involved with hazardous materials. Haz-Mat duty requires use of a respirator, and the primary purpose of the health surveillance is to confirm that all participants are able to function with respiratory equipment and that there have been no adverse reactions or toxicity due to chemical exposures.

  We recommend the following examinations annually for fire fighters who work with hazardous materials:
  
  

  • Medical and work history
  • Physical examination with vision testing
  • Spirometry (breathing test)
  • Screening audiometry
  • Laboratory tests including a chemistry panel and a complete blood count
  • Physician's evaluation

  Employees should receive the tests noted above each year. In addition, we recommend a baseline chest x-ray and a baseline EKG.

  Additional testing can be arranged such as hearing tests, hepatitis B vaccinations, blood lead, cholinesterase, treadmills and testing for tuberculosis. We can design and evaluate workplace health programs, providing consultation to identify and correct workplace hazards. Arrangements can be made for the services of industrial hygienists and technical specialists on a consulting basis.
  
  

• Evaluation for Respirator Use

  Cal-OSHA requires semi-annual fittings for those who work with asbestos and annual fittings for all others. This new program can be arranged in conjunction with your company's health screening since OSHA guidelines also require that a physical exam with spirometry be given prior to respirator fit testing.

  Quantitative fit testing is provided by certified University staff using a portacount that measures leakage when a respirator is worn and provides a quantitative fit factor. The employee wears a respirator attached to the portacount and completes a series of tests for 9 minutes. If the respirator does not fit properly, the employee tries a different respirator and completes the exercise again. Please note that if your employees do not currently have a respirator, we can provide them with one at the time of the fit testing. The following air-purifying respirators are available: MSA, NORTH, 3M, SCOTT and SURVIVEAIR.

  For fire fighters who wear respiratory equipment, we provide fitness evaluations and respiratory compliance physical examinations. We are able to perform examinations at your workplace using your facilities or in our mobile medical clinic.

  We recommend the following for fire fighters who are required to wear a respirator:
  
  

  • Medical and work history
  • Physical examination focusing on upper airway, head, neck, chest, heart and lungs
  • Breathing test (spirometry)
  • Physician's evaluation

  In addition to fitting the respirator, each employee receives a ten-minute training session covering the proper use, function, cleaning and maintenance of the respirator. Our computer can generate a report of each employee's fitting if you would like to keep a copy on file. Also, every employee who completes the fitting and training receives a wallet-sized approval card signed and dated by our staff. Finally, for those employees receiving a respirator, safety equipment wipes and information regarding maintenance are included.

  All employees should receive an initial or baseline respirator physical. In addition, employees under 35 years should receive a follow-up examination every 3 years; employees between 35-45 years should be examined every 2 years; employees over 45 should receive an annual examination.

Employee and Employer Notification

After the examination, our physicians review the information and determine the employee's fitness for duty. A personalized letter, including copies of all laboratory studies, is sent directly to the employee. These materials are not sent to supervisors to protect the employee's privacy and confidentiality. Employers receive a summary letter indicating who has been tested and whether they are fit for duty. Medical information, including diagnoses and laboratory studies, are not shared with the employer.

Faculty Physicians

As medical specialists in occupational disorders, UC Davis physicians are expert in screening workers for medical problems and evaluating their exposure to occupational and environmental hazards. Physicians are board-certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. Each is a specialist in public health, toxicology, industrial hygiene, Public Health Sciences. In fact, through research efforts, UC Davis physicians have gained national recognition as experts in occupational and environmental epidemiology.

UC Davis Medical Center

Patients who participate in our screening program are referred to our outpatient clinic at the UC Davis Medical Center (UCDMC) when follow-up care is indicated. The outpatient clinic is a comprehensive, regional facility for the evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of illness and disease from occupational and environmental exposures. Physicians evaluate and treat occupational conditions, including acute or chronic exposures to toxic, hazardous substances. In addition, close affiliations with specialists at UCDMC provide an excellent referral network for additional consultations and health care. UCDMC treats more complex illnesses than any other hospital in the area and has the most comprehensive 24-hour emergency treatment program in the Sacramento Valley.

For More Information

Please call UC Davis, Public Health Sciences, Medical Surveillance Program at (530) 752-1281.