• HAZWOPER requires employers to provide medical exams and consultations for employees who work with hazardous waste.
• There are five main types of medical exams: pre-assignment, periodic, termination, post-illness or -injury, and follow-up.

Employees who work with hazardous waste during cleanup operations or respond to emergency response situations face health hazards and may be at high risk of illness. Therefore, it is essential that they get initial and regular medical exams in addition to any needed medical attention.

Paragraph (f) of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) Standard addresses the provisions for medical surveillance, which means that employers are required to provide their employees with medical exams and consultations and keep records of the physicians’ written opinions.

All examinations pertaining to the medical surveillance program must be performed by or under the supervision of a licensed physician, preferably one knowledgeable in occupational medicine. These exams must be provided at no cost, without loss of pay, and at a reasonable time and place.

According to the HAZWOPER Standard, five main types of exams are available:

• Pre-assignment exam,
• Periodic exam,
• Termination exam,
• Post-illness or -injury exam, and
• Follow-up exam.