Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Zane Craig | Staff Sgt. Luther Eugene Snell Jr., an aircraft mechanic with the 2nd Battalion, 104th...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, Pa. – Federal technicians in the Pennsylvania National Guard who are exposed or potentially exposed to occupational hazards are automatically enrolled in the Technician Occupational Medical Surveillance Program.
The federal technician program is a full-time element within the Guard that helps to maintain readiness in units throughout the force.
Some of the roles served by the medical surveillance program include: aircraft mechanic, metal worker, artillery and small arms repair, wood worker, painter, welder, and machinist, with 26 different positions in all.
“Their work during the week ensures that the equipment is operational for units to conduct training or assigned missions,” said Lt. Col. Deborah Fisher, state safety and occupational health manager.
“Since these jobs risk inherent exposure to various hazards, the surveillance program annually assesses each employee to ensure that the workplace is not causing any harm to the individual’s health,” she said.
Medical surveillance is the systematic assessment of employees exposed or potentially exposed to occupational hazards that may include chemical mixtures and mixed stressors such as exposure to physical agents (for example, noise, heat, radiation, and vibration) or other physiological stresses associated with work.
Technicians are surveilled once per year in their birth month. On the day of the event, they go through a process similar to the periodic health assessment (PHA) that all Guardsmen are familiar with. But while the PHA focuses on a Soldier’s medical readiness for potential deployments, this program’s purpose is to ensure workplace hazards are not harming employees.
This assessment monitors individuals for adverse health effects and determines the effectiveness of exposure prevention strategies, such as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The program includes the analysis of both individual and aggregate surveillance data over time, with the goal of reducing and ultimately preventing occupational illness and injury.
“I think this tech physical every year is a really good program, especially doing the mask because you don’t use it every day and you forget things,” said Staff Sgt. Luther Eugene Snell Jr., an aircraft mechanic with the 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment, 28th Expeditionary Combat Aviation Brigade, 28th Infantry Division, Pennsylvania Army National Guard.
The mask refers to respirators that protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors, and sprays. Employees wear the mask in hazardous environments and test the mask’s fit and their bodies’ ability to endure the extra burden its wear places on the body during their annual evaluation.
Snell said he appreciates having the mask and knowing it fits properly because he works in close proximity to carcinogens. He said the program also helps the newer employees understand why masks are used and to actually wear their PPE when needed.
The Technician Occupational Medical Surveillance Program plays a key role in maintaining the overall readiness of the Pennsylvania National Guard by empowering employees who could be exposed to hazards to keep themselves safe and healthy throughout their careers.
| Date Taken: | 10.20.2022 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2022 15:58 |
| Story ID: | 431747 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 62 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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