Support Staff Policies & Procedures

Support Staff Health Assessment Policy & Procedure

Policy

Applies to: Regular and temporary University employees
  1. The following regular and temporary employees are required to undergo health assessments (includes new employees and employees transferring into new positions): 
    • Those who are exposed to human blood, serum, tissue and other body fluids and materials covered under Universal Precautions described in the Exposure to Health Risk Information Packet.
    • Those at risk for TB or those who work within 3 feet of patients in a health care setting.
    • Those who work with animals or unfixed animal tissue.
    • Those who drive a university vehicle which requires a commercial driver's license. 
      • A single vehicle having gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more
      • A combination of vehicles having a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more and towing vehicles of not more than 10,000 pounds GVWR
      • A vehicle towing another vehicle with a GVWR over 10,000 pounds
      • A vehicle designed to carry 16 or more people (including the driver)
      • A vehicle carrying hazardous materials in such amounts that placarding is required
    • Those who drive a university vehicle that does not require a commercial driver's license but does require medical certification. 
      • A vehicle with more than 10,000 pounds GVWR but less than 26,001 pounds
      • The combination of a vehicle and towed unit with more than 10,000 pounds GVWR but less than 26,001 (the unit pulled must be less than 10,000 pounds GVWR)
    • Those who wear a respirator (does not include paper dust mask worn for comfort).
    • Those who work with organophosphate or carbamate pesticides.
    • Those who work in noisy (above 85 decibels) areas.
    • Those who have risks that have been identified by ORCBS.
    • Those employees who have been specified by the University Physician or Director of MSU Human Resource Services.
  2. The scope of the Health Assessment shall be determined by the University Physician and/or other designated medical provider based on the nature of the employee's duties.
  3. If the job is physically intensive, the assessment must be completed prior to the first day of work in the new job by following instructions on the Exposure to Health Risks/Physical Demands form.
  4. Employees may also need periodic assessments as required by state and federal rules, regulations and/or policies set forth by the University Physician. The MSU Occupational Health Clinic at Olin Health Center will coordinate these follow-up assessments.
  5. Employees returning to work from leave of absence for job-related illnesses or injuries are required to provide their supervisor with medical documentation from their attending physician(s) or dentist(s) indicating their ability to perform their duties, and identifying any limitations and/or restrictions (see Policy and Procedure for Workers' Compensation).

Procedure

Department/major administrative unit:

  1. Complete the Exposure to Health Risks/Physical Demands form.
  2. Fax, mail, or e-mail the Exposure to Health Risks/Physical Demands Form and a copy of the job description to MSU Occupational Health Clinic, Room 347, Olin Health Center, fax number 355-0332, e-mail occhealth@ht.msu.edu including the employee's name in the subject line of the e-mail.
  3. Schedule an occupational health assessment with Occupational Health Services before the candidate begins work by calling 353-9137.
  4. Occupational Health reviews the job description and Exposure to Health Risks/Physical Demands Form and arranges an appropriate physical capacity test that is consistent with the essential functions of the job.
  5. The department will be informed of the assessment results. The department will be billed directly by physical therapy for the physical capacity test. The results of the health assessment must be received by the department before the candidate can begin work. Review the assessment results. If the assessment results indicate the employee has a restriction or limitation, reasonable accommodation will be reviewed and it will be determined if the candidate can perform essential job functions with accommodations (see Policy and Procedure for Disability/Reasonable Accommodations). If he/she cannot perform the essential functions, the job offer should be withdrawn.

Refer questions to: MSU Human Resources Solutions Center (telephone 517-353-4434, e-mail).

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