used by the registered medical practitioner supervising or carrying out the health monitoring , depending on the worker ’ s history and levels of silica exposure . Given the high risks posed by working with engineered stone , low dose HRCT may be used instead of , or as an adjunct to , X-ray . Alternative imaging methods are being developed and may also be considered .
More information on health monitoring workers for exposure to crystalline silica can be found in the Health monitoring guide – crystalline silica on Safe Work Australia ’ s website .
Selecting a suitable registered medical practitioner to carry out or supervise health monitoring
A registered medical practitioner with experience in health monitoring must undertake or supervise the health monitoring . The Royal Australasian College of Physicians website has a list of suitable practitioners . However , a PCBU may decide other doctors may have the necessary experience required to carry out or supervise health monitoring for their workers . A PCBU must consult their workers when selecting a registered medical practitioner and their preference should be considered if they request a particular doctor .
The following information must be supplied by the PCBU to the registered medical practitioner carrying out or supervising the health monitoring :
− the name and address of the PCBU − the name and date of birth of the worker − − a description of any of the worker ’ s tasks that relate to exposure to silica dust , and if the worker has started that work , how long the worker has been carrying out that work .
A PCBU should also provide the registered medical practitioner with any available air monitoring reports and risk assessments to assist them with carrying out health monitoring .
Health monitoring report
A PCBU must take all reasonable steps to obtain a health monitoring report from the registered medical practitioner who carried out or supervised the health monitoring . The health monitoring report should only contain information relating to the health monitoring that was commissioned by the PCBU .
The health monitoring report must include :
− the name and date of birth of the worker − the name and registration number of the registered medical practitioner − the name and address of the PCBU who commissioned the health monitoring − the date of the health monitoring − any test results that indicate whether the worker has been exposed to silica dust − any advice that test results indicate that the worker may have contracted an injury , illness or disease as a result of carrying out the work with engineered stone − any recommendation that the PCBU takes remedial measures , including whether the worker can continue to carry out the work with engineered stone , and − whether medical counselling is required for the worker .
After a PCBU has received the health monitoring report from the registered medical practitioner , they should act on the results , recommendations and advice contained in it .
After receiving the report , a PCBU must provide copies as soon as practicable to :
− the worker , even if they have left employment at the workplace − all other PCBUs who have a duty to provide health monitoring for the worker o for example , where labour hire is used , and − the WHS regulator , if the report contains :
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