DOT Physicals
Every DOT “safety sensitive” employee must undergo a pre-employment physical as well as periodic physicals. These physicals must be performed by a DOT approved medical examiner, and have specific requirements and standards. Failure to follow DOT compliance requirements may result in fines and temporary work stoppage.
According to DOT regulation 49 CFR Part 391.41 Physical qualifications for drivers section 3, a person is physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle if the driver is evaluated by a certified medical examiner for the following:
- Has not lost a foot, left, hand or arm, unless skill performance evaluation certificate applies
- Has no impairment of hand or finger to prevent grabbing
- Has no limb defect, limitation or abnormality that interferes with the ability to operate a commercial motor vehicle
- Has no history or current diabetes mellitus currently requiring insulin for control
- Has no current cardiovascular disease
- Has no respiratory dysfunction
- Has no current diagnosis of high blood pressure
- Has no history or current diagnosis of vascular disease
- Has no history or current diagnosis of epilepsy or other condition likely to cause loss of ability to control a commercial motor vehicle
- Has no psychiatric disorder
- Has at least distant vision of 20/40, field of vision of at least 70 degrees and ability to recognize colors of traffic signals
- Can perceive a forced whisper in the better ear not less than 5 feet away
- Is free of illicit drug use
- Has no current diagnosis of alcoholism
How Often Do You Need a DOT Physical?
As a general rule, there must be a pre-employment DOT physical on file and a DOT physical must be conducted every two years. However, a DOT employee may be required to conduct follow-up physicals at a pace designated by the medical examiner. The reason a medical examiner may require more frequent physicals may be due to a medical condition.
Protecting Health Through Occupational Health Screenings
Other than periodic physicals to check on the general well-being and physical condition of employees, Occupational Health screenings are a good way to prevent injury and sickness of your employees. Health screenings, vaccinations, and medical surveillance exams protect workers from various health issues and hazards, both at work and at home. Here are some of the occupational health screenings that Health Screenings USA provides to help keep your employees healthy:
- Audiograms
- Vaccinations – Including TB Testing, Hepatitis A & B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella and more
- X-Rays
- Respirator Certifications
- Vision Tests
- EKG’s – Tests for problems with the electrical activity of your heart.
- Blood Tests
At Health Screenings USA, we care about your employees’ health. The best way to ensure your worker’s stay healthy is through occupational health testing and periodic physicals. We conveniently offer occupational health testing services Nationwide. Call to schedule your next screening service or order online.