PART VI OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH REQUIREMENTS — Silica medical surveillance

Where an employee is undergoing health surveillance for silica, the physician shall ensure, as soon as practicable, that

a chest x-ray (Full size PA view); and

a medical history and physical examination emphasizing the respiratory system.

A periodic health assessment shall comply with the following requirements:

An employee who requires silica related health surveillance is one who:

works in an industry where the employee is potentially affected by a silica process as defined in this subsection 46 (2); an occupational history; the frequency of chest x-rays shall be in accordance with the silica health surveillance document; the employee is notified of the results, together with a necessary explanation of these results;

is potentially exposed to silica levels in excess of the ACGIH TLV- TWA ; and a respiratory questionnaire; the medical examination emphasizing the respiratory system shall be repeated annually unless prescribed otherwise by the physician; and the employer is notified of the general outcome of a worker’s health surveillance and is advised on the need for remedial actions; and

has been determined, through the company’s silica control program, to require silica health surveillance as prescribed in the general health surveillance section. a pulmonary/lung function test; the pulmonary /lung functions tests including FEV1, FVC, and DLCO standardized for alveolar volume shall be repeated annually unless prescribed otherwise by the physician. the minister is notified of a prescribed adverse health effect that had been detected which is consistent with exposure to silica.

An employer shall not regularly employ a worker in a silica process unless the employer has been assured by a medical practitioner by a written notification that the worker is medically fit for the work being undertaken.

An employer shall keep at the place of employment to be readily available to an officer a log recording the name of every worker referred for medical examination.

The initial health assessment shall be carried out under the direction of a physician and shall include

Where an employer has been advised by the physician on the need for remedial action, the employer shall, as soon as practicable, re-evaluate the assessment of the employee’s exposure to silica and implement the control measures required.

An employer shall ensure employees are informed of the purpose and procedures for health surveillance and make arrangements for employees to participate in the health surveillance program.