Keeping Alaskans safe is ultimate goal: meeting employer needs with occupational health services.
Author | Orr, Vanessa |
Position | HEALTH & MEDICINE |
Imagine being on the road beside a truck driver suffering from sleep apnea, or getting on a plane with a pilot who took drugs before the flight, or working around heavy machinery with a coworker who cannot hear warning alarms.
When a person is not fit for a job, that person is not the only one who suffers--other employees, employers, and even the general public risk consequences as well. To lessen the danger, many companies are required by state and federal regulations to make sure that their employees are fit for work, and that they are tested to determine their capabilities for specific positions. Some companies are even going so far as to have employees tested for certain jobs when they are not required to do so by regulation in order to reduce the chance of liability and workers' compensation claims.
"Employers are interested in maintaining a safe working environment by employing those qualified to perform the position safely," explains Amanda Johnson, director of Clinical and Training Services, Beacon Occupational Health and Safety Services. "We perform pre-employment and annual screenings on a variety of employees, including those who are governed by regulations and requirements that include Department of Transportation (DOT) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)-covered positions, as well as non-regulated positions."
Beacon's clients range from banks, cargo carriers, and construction companies to DOT-covered positions in aviation, on motor carriers, and on the pipeline, among others.
State, Federal, and Industry Requirements
According to the US Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the State of Alaska exercises safety and health jurisdiction over most private sector employers in the state and over public sector employers other than the federal government. Depending on the industry, the Alaska Occupational Safety and Health Program (AKOSH) provides standards and regulations for employers to follow to ensure employee safety.
"There are certain vertical standards, such as those for lead exposure, which have very strict requirements," explains AKOSH Industrial Hygienist John E. King. "In addition to following explicit written instructions, employers may be required to have employees undergo medical testing to continuously monitor the levels of lead in the blood. If these levels are over the limit, that employee must either reduce the amount of time that he or she is exposed on the job or be taken off of that particular job."
OSHA regulations also include a Respiratory Protection Program designed to provide a safe environment for...
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