Silica Physicals

WHo can we help

A Silica Physical Exam is required by OSHA to be performed upon hire (or prior to silica exposure) and every 3 years thereafter (or more frequently if determined by a physician).

Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:

Silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death;
Lung cancer;
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD); and
Kidney disease.

Why Silica Physicals?

Respirable crystalline silica are very small particles at least 100 times smaller than ordinary sand and are are created when cutting, sawing, grinding, drilling, and crushing stone, rock, concrete, brick, block, and mortar.

Industrial sand used in certain operations, such as foundry work and hydraulic fracturing (fracking), is also a source of respirable crystalline silica exposure. About 2.3 million people in the U.S. are exposed to silica at work.

1 M

PEOPLE

Number exposed in the U.S alone

times

Smaller than ordinary sand

Protecting your employees from exposure to this harmful agent is crucial to the success of your business.

What are the Risks?

Workers who inhale these very small crystalline silica particles are at increased risk of developing serious silica-related diseases, including:

Silicosis, an incurable lung disease that can lead to disability and death
Lung cancer
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Kidney disease

What are the OSHA Regulations?

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1153-“Respirable Crystalline Silica”

Assess employee exposures to silica if it may be at or above an action level of 25 µg/m3 (micrograms of silica per cubic meter of air), averaged over an 8-hour day;
Protect workers from respirable crystalline silica exposures above the permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 50 µg/m3, averaged over an 8-hour day;
Limit workers’ access to areas where they could be exposed above the PEL;
Use dust controls to protect workers from silica exposures above the PEL;
Provide respirators to workers when dust controls cannot limit exposures to the PEL;
Use housekeeping methods that do not create airborne dust, if feasible;
Establish and implement a written exposure control plan that identifies tasks that involve exposure and methods used to protect workers;
Offer medical exams – including chest X-rays and lung function tests – every three years for workers exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days per year;

Medical surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed at or above the action level for 30 or more days a year starting on June 23, 2020. (Medical surveillance must be offered to employees who will be exposed above the PEL for 30 or more days a year starting on June 23, 2018.)
Hydraulic fracturing operations in the oil and gas industry must implement engineering controls to limit exposures to the new PEL by June 23, 2021.

What do we do?

Our methods for physicals follow OSHA's Standard Guidelines

The respirable crystalline silica standard requires at a minimum the following:

In addition, the silica physical may also include:

The physician will also review the employer’s notes that detail the patient’s job description and level of exposure to silica and other hazardous materials.

Hearing Test

Vision Test

EKG

Urine and Blood Samples

Note: Above tests are at the physician’s discretion based on medical history and current/past exposures

How do we perform this service?

On-Site

CNS OccMed will complete all testing at the employer’s worksite and have training and counseling options available to meet your needs (all services provided in a variety of languages)

Quick EvaluAtions

The employees will receive immediate evaluations and a written medical option by the physician as required by OSHA

Professional Assessments

All testing will be performed by trained technicians, nurses, Physician’s and Advanced Practice Providers (NPs and PAs)

MOBILE FRIENDLY

The mobile medical unit is deployed for this service at a worksite.

Employees will be comfortably interviewed, screened and tested in the exam rooms within the mobile unit by a PLHCP, trained nurses, medical assistants, spirometry and hearing conservation technicians.

All testing that may be required is available within the mobile unit.

Employees and employers will receive a medical clearance determination or written medical opinion at the time of their physical.

Employees will be back to work within 1-1 ½ hours.

Learn more

Develop a Medical Strategy

Our Occupational Medicine Team will develop a custom plan for your company. You may need a combination of services like physicals, COVID-19 testing, and drug testing, and you may also need these services performed on-site.

Contact our medical team to Develop your custom plan.

OSHA
Services

We offer OSHA required testing for companies that fall under these type of regulations, including hearing or audiometric testing, respirator physicals and many other OSHA required tests.

COVID-19
Services

We offer many different COVID-19 related services, including pre-shift and pre-employment screenings, rapid antigen tests, PCR tests, and antibody testing. Our medical staff is among the most professional and knowledgeable in the industry.

Go Mobile with healthcare

Our on-site medical services are available in specific areas right now and is constantly expanding. Check with us to about availability of Mobile On-Site Services.

Need to Schedule an Appointment? Physicals, testing, and other medical services

WHo can we help