Occupational Health Tests – Odessa, TX

In Odessa, the main industry that drives the local economy is gas and oil extraction. Businesses that support the energy sector are also prevalent – for example, industrial manufacturing and commercial transport. Those who work in fracking may be exposed to crystalline silica (fracking sand), while commercial drivers transporting oil and gas may need to pass a DOT physical and maintain certification with the FMCSA.

Most private employers in Odessa are subject to federal OSHA occupational health regulations. Texas doesn't have an OSHA-approved State Plan for state and local government workers. Instead, City of Odessa, Ector County, Texas state, and public school personnel are covered by applicable Texas laws. For example, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) oversees the Texas Hazard Communication Act, Health and Safety Code Chapter 502. They conduct compliance inspections at public employers' places of business statewide.

Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 81, Subchapter H, and 25 TAC Chapter 96 cover government workers and set bloodborne pathogen exposure controls. Whether an employee is covered depends on their healthcare-related duties or their blood/sharps-exposure risks. DSHS receives mandated contaminated-sharps injury reports.

Some (though not all) commercial motor vehicle drivers that operate in interstate commerce in Odessa, TX must complete a DOT physical conducted by a certified medical examiner on the FMCSA National Registry. This specialized exam allows them to maintain a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate (medical card). There may be local state-level medical exemptions or waivers. States have their own regulations for intrastate commercial drivers who only operate within that state.

It may be. When an applicable workplace rule or the employer requires an employee to wear a tight-fitting respirator, the employee must be fit tested under the applicable respiratory protection requirements. Whether federal OSHA or an OSHA-approved State Plan covers the workplace depends on the employer and the state; the need for a respirator depends on the work and the hazards, not the city alone.

Not for every worker. A TB test may be part of a workplace screening requirement, an exposure follow-up, or a condition of a particular job or facility. Whether testing is required depends on the applicable state or local rule and the worker’s circumstances—not simply the city or industry named on the page.

Health Street offers comprehensive occupational health services to satisfy the specific needs of each company in Odessa. Our services are fast, accurate, and easy to schedule. If you wish to do numerous screenings for each employee, we have you covered. Health Street offers various employee health screenings in Odessa, including TB testing, vision and hearing exams, respiratory health checks, biometric screening, DOT physicals, and routine employee physicals.

Registering for occupational health screening in Odessa is easy. You can do so online or call us to book an appointment at a nearby clinic. Prioritize occupational health, and let us help you today!