LFOM Written flashcards
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- Occupational asthma diagnosis
- Diagnosis relies on demonstrating work-related variable airflow obstruction, usually via serial peak expiratory flow records or specific inhalation challenge, combined with a compatible exposure history.
- Occupational contact dermatitis
- Inflammatory skin reaction from workplace exposure; irritant forms are more common than allergic forms, and patch testing is used to confirm type IV allergic sensitization.
- Hand-arm vibration syndrome
- Vibration-induced disorder affecting vascular (vibration white finger) and sensorineural components; assessed with the Stockholm scale and linked to prolonged tool use.
- Noise-induced hearing loss
- Sensorineural hearing loss from chronic noise exposure, typically showing a bilateral symmetric notch at 3, 4, or 6 kHz on audiometry, distinct from age-related hearing loss.
- Lead biological exposure index
- Blood lead biological exposure index of 200 µg/L (30 µg/dL); chronic toxicity produces microcytic anemia, elevated zinc protoporphyrin, and neuropathic or renal effects.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Median nerve compression causing numbness and tingling in the median distribution; confirmed by electrodiagnostic testing; forceful repetitive wrist work is a recognized risk factor.
- Silicosis radiographic features
- Pneumoconiosis showing upper-lobe nodular opacities and eggshell calcification of hilar lymph nodes, resulting from inhalation of respirable crystalline silica.
- Asbestosis radiographic features
- Pneumoconiosis showing lower-lobe reticular opacities and pleural plaques, resulting from cumulative asbestos fiber inhalation; associated with mesothelioma risk.
- Biological monitoring definition
- Measurement of a substance or its metabolite in blood, urine, or exhaled air to estimate internal dose, as opposed to measuring an early biological effect.
- Biological effect monitoring
- Measurement of an early reversible biological change caused by exposure, such as cholinesterase inhibition or zinc protoporphyrin elevation, before overt disease develops.
- Hierarchy of controls
- Order of exposure control: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, then personal protective equipment, which is the least reliable single measure.
- Health surveillance purpose
- Systematic monitoring of workers exposed to residual risk after controls, aimed at detecting early work-related ill health so that corrective action can be taken.
- Health surveillance vs fitness assessment
- Health surveillance detects early work-related ill health over time; fitness assessment determines whether an individual can safely perform specific duties at a point in time.
- Spirometry surveillance standards
- Surveillance spirometry should follow ATS/ERS standards, recording FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC ratio and comparing with predicted values by age, sex, height, and ethnicity.
- Significant threshold shift
- Audiometric change typically defined as at least 10 dB at two consecutive frequencies or at least 15 dB at one frequency in either ear, prompting review.
- Five-step risk assessment
- Identify hazards, determine who may be harmed and how, evaluate risks and existing controls, record findings, and review and update the assessment.
- Fit note purpose
- Certifies fitness for some work, not merely incapacity; may recommend amended duties, phased return, or workplace adaptations to support return to work.
- Occupational health service models
- Delivery models include in-house, outsourced or contracted, and hybrid services; clinical independence from line management should be preserved within each model.
- Hepatitis B occupational immunization
- Offered to workers with exposure-prone tasks (e.g., healthcare) where risk assessment identifies bloodborne virus exposure; post-vaccination serology confirms response.
- Occupational health duty of care
- Clinicians owe a duty of care to the worker; consent is required before disclosing personal health information to an employer, subject to limited statutory exceptions.
- Minimum necessary disclosure
- Occupational health should disclose only the minimum information needed for workplace decisions, such as fitness and restrictions, not diagnoses, unless the worker consents.
- Fit, restricted, unfit categories
- Fitness-for-work outcomes distinguish fit, fit with restrictions, and unfit; certificates should state functional capacity rather than clinical detail.
- Reasonable adjustments
- Workplace changes required to remove disadvantage for a worker meeting the legal definition of disability; occupational health advises on adjustments, not legal status.
- RIDDOR reporting
- UK regulations requiring employers to report specified occupational diseases, dangerous occurrences, and certain injuries to the enforcing authority.
- Special category health data
- Health data are special category data under data protection law; processing requires a lawful basis and an appropriate additional condition.
- Occupational health ethical principles
- Beneficence, non-maleficence, autonomy, and justice guide practice; conflicts between employer and worker interests are managed transparently with the worker informed.
- Informed consent in occupational health
- Worker must understand the purpose, scope, and consequences of assessment or disclosure; consent should be obtained before sharing health information with the employer.
- Fitness certificate content
- Should state functional capacity, restrictions, and adjustments rather than clinical diagnoses, enabling the employer to make safe work placement decisions.
- Occupational health record access
- Occupational health records are confidential clinical records; access is restricted to clinical staff, and separate from general personnel files held by the employer.
- Statutory sick pay framework
- Employers pay statutory sick pay to eligible employees meeting minimum earnings criteria; fit notes support certification of incapacity or fitness for amended work.
- Public interest disclosure exception
- Confidential health information may be disclosed without consent in limited circumstances, such as serious risk to others, subject to proportionality and legal advice.
- Occupational health clinical independence
- Occupational health professionals should report to senior management while maintaining independence from line management to protect clinical judgment and worker trust.