Washington State University
Environmental Health & Safety Medical Surveillance

Medical Surveillance

Laboratory employees who suspect they have been overexposed, or are having symptoms consistent with overexposure to a hazardous chemical, will be evaluated at a reasonable time and place without cost to the employee by or under the direct supervision of a licensed physician.

Employers must provide employees an opportunity for medical surveillance when:

  • exposed to hazardous chemicals (i.e., toxic substances, carcinogens, reproductive toxins, etc.) at or above established exposure limits or exposure monitoring reveals an overexposure; or
  • experiencing signs or symptoms (see chemical’s safety data sheet) associated with an exposure to a hazardous chemical; or
  • present when a non-routine event takes place (i.e., spill) resulting in the likelihood of an overexposure; or
  • frequently using specific amounts of certain hazardous chemicals (i.e., mercury, chlorinated solvents, formaldehyde, heavy metals, lead, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, arsenic, etc.) and enclosures and local exhaust (i.e., fume hood) are not available or ineffective; or
  • using hazardous chemicals capable of rapid absorption through the skin (i.e., methylene chloride, pesticides, carbon tetrachloride, cyanides, etc.) and prolonged glove contact is necessary; or
  • working with a systemic poison (i.e., benzene) where oral exposure is possible from contaminated surfaces (e.g hand to mouth).

Medical consultation, exams and surveillance which may be required under the standard will be coordinated through Environmental Health & Safety and the Human Resource Services Department.

PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN ANY EMERGENCY SITUATION SHOULD GO DIRECTLY TO THE NEAREST EMERGENCY ROOM OR CALL 911 FOR ASSISTANCE.
If a question arises about the need to provide medical surveillance or if a concern regarding monitoring arises because of such a spill, leak or explosion, call Environmental Health & Safety at 335-3041.