Occupational Health Tests – Minneapolis, MN

Workplace occupational health is important for both employers and employees. For employers, following Minneapolis occupational health guidelines ensures compliance and limits liability. When employers provide a safe and healthy work environment, they often enjoy better employee morale, less turnover, less absenteeism, and fewer workers' compensation claims.

For employees, understanding how to access Minneapolis occupational health services and being aware of their rights and obligations can help reduce the potential for workplace illnesses and injuries. This also ensures employees know how and where to report unsafe working environments so they can be resolved before an illness, injury, or death occurs.

The state of Minnesota has its own Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MNOSHA). This state program is approved by federal OSHA and helps protect workers at both public and private worksites.

There are several Minneapolis workplace health regulations designed to help protect both employees and employers, particularly those working in high-risk industries. These requirements help ensure that job candidates are physically able to perform all the required job duties and that a lack of physical fitness won't create an unsafe work environment for their coworkers or the public.

Under current Minnesota law, all employers in the state may require pre-employment testing, physical examinations, and drug testing. However, testing may not be done until after a conditional offer for employment has been made. All required tests must also only measure job-related activities and must not be done in a discriminatory manner.

The City of Minneapolis Public Works Department requires pre-employment testing for job applicants. This includes a physical agility test, drug and alcohol screening, and a medical exam. Candidates for police force jobs in the city of Minneapolis must pass vision, hearing, and physical fitness tests prior to beginning their training. They must also submit to a medical exam, psychological exam, and drug and alcohol screening. Similarly, candidates for fire/rescue jobs in the city must pass a Candidate Physical Ability Test (CPAT) and submit to medical and psychological exams as well as drug and alcohol screening.

The state of Minnesota's Department of Administration also has a respiratory protection program in place for all employees who are exposed to respiratory hazards, such as particulates, dust, and vapors, during routine operations. Employers in these industries must provide a medical evaluation to employees to ensure they're able to use a respirator at work. At the physician's discretion, a physical exam, pulmonary functions tests, chest x-ray, and/or EKG may also be required. In some cases, the test results may also require follow-up physical exams.

More recently, the state addressed occupational health issues created by the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 11, 2021, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced a requirement for all state agency employees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination before returning to the workplace or to submit to COVID-19 testing at least weekly. With this announcement, the state became one of several requiring vaccination for in-person work.

There are currently no other statewide or Minnesota occupational health laws in place requiring COVID-19 vaccinations. However, individual employers may have their own mandates in place.