Laboratory tests in occupational medicine are medical examinations that are fundamental to the health of workers and are carried out mainly through blood samples.
They are part of the health protocol drawn up by the competent physician who directs appropriate health surveillance: the worker undergoes these medical examinations so that the competent physician can either make a judgment of fitness for the intended task or enunciate limitations for partial or no fitness.
Let’s see together what they are and what they consist of.
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine: what they are and what they consist of
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine are health examinations and consist of collecting certain substances from the worker in order to learn more about his or her health status.
The samples taken are taken to the appropriate testing laboratories to be analyzed by the appropriate personnel for useful information about the worker’s health.
Some of these examinations are listed below:
- blood tests;
- Seroprotein electrophoresis;
- Blood coagulation examination;
- Test for group B beta hemolytic streptococcus hemolyticus;
- CBC with formula;
- urine test;
- Alkaline phosphatase;
- Hepatitis markers group A, B and C;
- RA test;
- Hippuric acid.
As anticipated earlier, the final results of these examinations serve to better understand the status of the worker’s health condition and thus his or her fitness for work. If found to be unfit, the employer must proceed with the assignment of another task that will not cause further damage to the worker’s health while also taking appropriate safety measures to limit the risks present in the company.
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine are of great importance in terms of health surveillance because they give the opportunity to have more detailed information about the worker’s health.
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine: the modalities
The competent physician himself can request verification of laboratory tests to get a clearer and more in-depth view of workers’ health status.
The verification course can be carried out in three different ways:
– company employees are invited to go to a laboratory where the sampling and analysis takes place;
– the competent doctor or the company’s own workers can take care of collecting the samples and sending them to the laboratory;
– sampling takes place directly on the farm by personnel sent by the laboratory.
The competent doctor is informed by the company about the results obtained, and after that he consults the worker or even the employer.
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine are important as from their result one can prevent a possible onset of occupational disease and also a possible worsening that could harm an employee’s life both in the work and private aspect.
Laboratory tests in occupational medicine and blood tests
The various tasks of workers involve different risks. In fact, for some, the risk of taking toxic and harmful substances is much higher than for others. For example, we find mechanical workers, carpenters and many other professionals who are in contact with viruses or are more exposed to contracting diseases.
To such figures who need more targeted monitoring, the competent physician prescribes the most common laboratory test on a short periodic basis: the blood test.
Do not forget that the competent doctor is a professional, so he prescribes each individual worker the most appropriate tests for his health condition.
Examples of the most common blood tests include blood glucose, azotemia, and creatinine levels.
Laboratory examinations in occupational medicine are of paramount importance to prevent illness and have maximum worker performance while protecting his safety within the company and his health.
