Spirometric Examinations
Occupational exposures to airborne irritants, dusts, and gases can cause pulmonary function (PF) impairment during high-level acute conditions, as well as prolonged periods of low-dose exposure. Therefore, governmental standards have been established to ensure the protection of workers when the elimination of the airborne hazard cannot be achieved and engineering controls are not possible.
In situations where uncontrolled pulmonary exposures may exist, it is universally recognized that a medical evaluation protection program be put in place. To comply with this element of the program, employees may be required to undergo PF testing. It is important to note that an Occupational Health Nursing Practitioner (OHNP) or Occupational Health Practitioner (OHP) must establish if the employee is fit according to his/her health and physical conditions to be able to perform their assigned job functions. While PF testing is not required for all employees, it is in the best interest for most industries to perform PF testing, particularly those with a high likelihood of uncontrolled, unknown or high-level exposures.
Spirometry is the most frequently performed PF test and is the cornerstone of most occupational respiratory evaluation programme. Spirometry data collected as a result of either mandatory testing, or pulmonary function evaluation programs, provide a unique opportunity to perform occupational health surveillance and identify potential hazards.
Spirometry testing is particularly well suited for occupational medical surveillance. Spirometry data can be compared to a workplace standard, consisting of age, height, tobacco smoking, and other factors that impact PF even those not related to the occupational
environment. Once compiled, PF data from exposed workers can be quickly analyzed for comparison, to determine if PF is impaired in the workplace population. Steps can then be put in place to mitigate or eliminate the potential PF hazards.