SPECIAL TESTS: audiometry, spirometry, radiographic studies, electrocardiograms and other
According to the results of the evaluations of jobs carried out by the Department of Health Safety at Work each company makes the decision (based on clinical judgment) to indicate the type of special tests.
In the case of audiometry, is required to perform them starting from 85 dB (A) Leq (as COVENIN 1565:1995) and must be considered from 82 dB (A) Leq (article 68 of LOPCYMAT). Should be performed in conjunction with audiometric hearing conservation program whose base appears in the COVENIN 1565:1995. To determine if the noise level exceeds the above, a study of noise (personal dosimetry and / or environmental sonometrías) should be performed. These services environmental monitoring or hygiene at work, are provided equally by Medicina Laboral de Venezuela C.A. Becomes important to determine the threshold of significant changes that may occur year after year, which should not exceed 3% as a group (this represents an epidemiological index).
To determine whether annual spirometry and chest radiographic studies should be performed, should be studied the work environment. Some industries such as textiles, mines, warehouses, chemical plants, and other joinery, dust generated in the atmosphere, fumes, gases, vapors and / or mists whose chronic exposure can cause diseases such as pneumoconiosis and even respiratory cancer. In these cases it is necessary that annually forced expiratory spirometry is performed to track each employee is expected to exist at any time a reduction of 15% compared to the best spirometry employee (this is another epidemiological indicator). Chest radiographs accompanying medical surveillance, however, should not be performed annually as evidence or scientific evidence demonstrates that a chest radiograph every three to five years is enough to track except as smoking and asthma cases (among others) whom chest radiographs should be performed annually. To determine if the environment contains high levels of dust, fumes, gases, vapors or mists exceed technical reference levels (COVENIN 2253:2001 or international standards) and 50% (Article 68 of the LOPCYMAT), an additional measurement study of these factors. These services environmental monitoring or occupational health, are provided equally by Medicina Laboral de Venezuela C.A.
Some examples are listed below:
- Teleoperator: is a prerequisite to ensure the health of these workers, conducting audiometry following the COVENIN 1565:1995 along with a Hearing Conservation Program immersed in the Health Programme on Safety and Health at Work.
- Other workers exposed to noise: conducting audiometry following the COVENIN 1565:1995 along with a Hearing Conservation Program immersed in the Health Programme on Safety and Health at Work.
- Welder (arc welding) is required as the COVENIN 2267:2001, additional medical evaluation, conducting a study of chest radiographic, laboratory and basic profile according to international regulations spirometry, electrocardiogram and periodic ophthalmologic evaluation (including slit lamp).
- Office worker: General medical evaluation and laboratory test (eg a general profile) without requiring audiometry, spirometry, EKG, and other complementary examinations, except if there is exposure to a hazard or unsafe process that warrant further medical surveillance.
- Workers exposed to particles of cotton (textile, clothing department store), clothing stores and any workplace that represent a risk to the respiratory system: spirometry and chest radiography.
That way every workplace should be evaluated in accordance with the results of the risk factors and situations and dangers are evident in the Programme on Safety and Health at Work.