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Maximize Your Spirometry Screening and Surveillance Resources

Spirometry is a common type of pulmonary function test (PFT) that measures how well a person can move air in and out of their lungs. In occupational settings, spirometry can be used to establish a baseline before assigning a worker to job tasks that are physically demanding, that require use of a respirator, or that may expose the worker to respiratory hazards. It is also used to track lung function over time and to evaluate workers who experience signs or symptoms of respiratory disease.

The Need for Spirometry Testing

Spirometry testing is required for some workers by OSHA standards. Accurate spirometry testing, interpretation, and follow-up are critical to effective screening and surveillance of workers exposed to respiratory hazards. Technically poor spirometry is of little value to the purchaser of these services and may provide misleading information.

Technician Training

Spirometry technicians should have a valid certifi-cate from a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)-approved course or an equivalent training course. For more information go to: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/training.html.

Spirometry Equipment

The spirometry equipment and software used in such testing should be validated by independent laboratory testing documented by the manufac-turer and should comply with the most recent American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society standards. Spirometry results should be computerized and the computer file kept by the healthcare provider. Spirometry technicians should check the calibration of the spirometer before use each day and keep calibration records as long as the related health records are retained. The spirometry technician and the healthcare professional are responsible for reviewing the spirometry results, checking validation criteria, and informing the employer of any equipment malfunctions.

Frequency of Testing

Periodic spirometry tests must be performed in accord with OSHA standards. For occupational exposures to substances for which no OSHA standard applies, periodic spirometry is usually recommended, although such testing can be done more or less frequently to evaluate changes in lung function over time. Testing less frequently than every 3 years is not recommended. The frequency of testing should be determined by the applicable OSHA standard or, where no standard applies, by the specific hazard to which workers are being exposed.

Screening and Surveillance

Periodic spirometry screening of individual workers can detect breathing problems or significant changes in lung function at an early stage so that hazardous workplace exposures can be identified and eliminated to prevent or reduce occupational lung disease. Equally important, surveillance can detect changes in lung function over time among groups of workers with similar exposures and thus help to recognize serious health effects in the workplace at a time when individual results may not be severe or noticeable. Employers should consider periodically reviewing grouped data from worksite exposure assessments with a healthcare professional and should be alert for any significant changes in grouped results. Reviewing grouped data may help identify occupational exposures and assist in reducing or eliminating any hazards identified. Additional resources on monitoring spirometry data over time in individuals or groups of workers can be found at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/spirola.html.

The healthcare professional should analyze base-line and periodic spirometry test results and explain all results to the worker. The healthcare profes-sional should determine when a spirometry test result indicates that the worker needs further medical evaluation. Finally, the healthcare profes-sional should notify the employer if there are any concerns about occupational exposures while maintaining the confidentiality of worker health information.

Checklist for Employers

Critical elements of spirometry testing that maximize your company’s resources and should be considered for inclusion in required contracts include:

Resources

For more information about spirometry screening, surveillance, and training visit OSHA online at www.osha.gov/SLTC/medicalsurveillance/index.html and www.osha.gov/Publications/osha3162.pdf [366 PDF^*, 40 pages] (Screening and Surveillance: A Guide to OSHA Standards) and NIOSH online at: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/spirometry/default.html. Other helpful references that present the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medi-cine’s position on Occupational Spirometry are: Townsend, MC. ACOEM position statement. Spirometry in the occupational setting. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medi-cine. J Occup Environ Med. 2000 Mar;42(3):228-45. and Townsend, MC. ACOEM Position Statement Spirometry in the Occupational Health Setting– 2010 Update at: www.acoem.org/uploadedFiles/Public_Affairs/Policies_And_Position_Statements/ACOEM%20Spirometry%20Statement.pdf [613 KB PDF, 27 pages].

OSHA Publications

OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of free items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/publications/ or contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., N-3101, Washington, DC 20210. Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.

Contacting OSHA

To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek OSHA advice, assistance or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA regional, area, or State Plan office; TTY: 1-877-889-5627.

Contacting NIOSH

To receive documents or more information about occupational safety and health topics, please contact NIOSH: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636); TYY: 1-888-232-6348; e-mail: cdcinfo@cdc.gov or visit the NIOSH web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh.

DHHS (NIOSH) 2011 - OSHA 3415-1-11

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