Explanation
BACKGROUND: In 1984, the City responded to concerns raised by Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding potential exposures to employees at the City Trash Burning Power Plant. The City began testing employees at the Columbus Department of Health. In particular, the Occupational Clinic provided medical surveillance examinations, pre-placement examinations, immunizations, health and fitness assessments, clearance for respirator wear, assessment of workers’ fitness for duty, consultation, hearing conservation training and audiometric testing.
In 2006, the Department of Health became the Columbus Public Health Department with a primary focus on monitoring community health status, identifying and addressing public health threats, enforcing laws that protect the public's health and providing services to prevent and control disease. In the face of this change and to provide focused and coordinated Occupational Safety and Health medical services in accordance with the federal Public Employment Risk Reduction Program (PERRP), OSHA and the state Bureau of Workers Compensation (BWC), the City of Columbus shifted the operations of employee occupational safety and health medical services from the Public Health Department to the Human Resources Department This will allow for continued surveillance exams to City employees at risk and appropriate follow up; identify occupationally related disease or disability; assist in rehabilitation activities; determine fitness and suitability for assigned work; promote and maintain federal OSHA compliance; promote health, wellness and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease/injury; provide assistance in injury care activities and in rehabilitation activities; and services that will have educational and/or training programs promoting general health and safe work practices.
The project was formally advertised in the City Bulletin and vi...
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