Integrating Occupational Hygiene and Medical

ProgramsUsing Occupational Health

Manager (OHM)

Tom PoltonPfizer Inc

Overview

• Philosophical reasons for integrating hygiene and medical programs

• Mechanics for establishing a comprehensive hygiene database (customizing a commercial program OHM - Occupational Health Manager)

• Technical Solution using a Palm Pilot to facilitate data collection

Overview

• All too often, medical and industrial hygiene programs operate independently

• There may be communicationcommunication but not dialoguedialogue between the professionals– Physicians need exposure histories to target

medical surveillance– Hygienists need medical restrictions to

accommodate employees

• What is to be gained from integrating the industrial hygiene and medical programs?

Elements of Hygiene ProgramPerform

Qualitative Assessments

Perform Quantitativ

e Assessment

s

ImplementImplementWorkplaceWorkplaceControlsControls

Conduct Medical Examinations

ReportFindings

to Employees

AccommodatAccommodateeMedical Medical RestrictionsRestrictions

Elements of Medical Program

Elements of Hygiene ProgramPerform

Qualitative Assessments

Perform Quantitativ

e Assessment

s

ImplementWorkplaceControls

Elements of Medical Program

Conduct Medical Examinations

ReportFindings

to Employees

AccommodateMedical Restrictions

Breaking Down the BarriersPerform

Qualitative Assessments

Perform Quantitativ

e Assessment

s

ImplementWorkplaceControls

Conduct Medical

Examinations

ReportFindings

to Employees

AccommodateMedical Restrictions

An Integrated IH-MD Program

Analyze Relationship Between Medical Results and Occupational Exposures

Identify Individuals at Risk

Based on Exposure

Conduct Medical

Examinations

ReportFindings

to Employees

AccommodateMedical Restrictions

Perform Qualitative

AssessmentsImplementWorkplaceControls

Perform Quantitativ

e Assessment

s

Material FactorsControls

Process

Equipment Material

Job

Monitoring Results

Employee

Task

Location

Exposure Group

Exposure Assessment

Exposure Monitoring

Exposure History

Medical ResultsMedical History

Data Needed to Integrate Programs

HumanResources

Production

• Exposure Groups• Exposure Assessment• Sampling Information

• Material Information - sampling methods, exposure limits health hazards & target organs • Analytical Results• Medical Examination Results

• Production dates • Work Crews

• Employee Names • Work Crews

PALMPILOT

OHM

• Exposure Group

• Exposure Group• Materials• Exposure Assessment• Engineering Controls• Administrative Controls• Exposure Monitoring

Advantages of System

• Incorporates ACGIH and European Working Group recommended data elements as presented at 1999 conference in England

• Even if programs aren’t integrated, computer application improves efficiency of both programs