Pulmonary Function Testing / Spirometry Test
Spirometry, the most common type of pulmonary function test (PFT), is used to evaluate worker respiratory health in medical surveillance programs and to screen workers for their ability to perform certain tasks. Spirometry results can play a central role in decisions about worker job assignments and personal protective equipment and in the assessment of exposure-related health effects. OSHA standards for asbestos, cadmium, coke oven emissions, and cotton dust require spirometry testing as part of medical surveillance (see 29 CFR 1910.1001, 1910.1027, 1910.1029, and 1910.1043). OSHA standards for formaldehyde and benzene require pulmonary function testing when respiratory protection is used at work (see 29 CFR 1910.1048 and 1910.1028).
Whether spirometry is conducted to comply with an OSHA regulation or as part of another workplace-mandated program, its value is compromised when testing is conducted incorrectly, equipment is inaccurate, or results are misinterpreted. Technically flawed tests too often lead to inaccurate interpretations of worker respiratory health, falsely labeling normal subjects as “impaired” or impaired subjects as “normal.” Such flawed test results are not only useless but also convey false information which could be harmful to workers (1). Too often, those who conduct the tests or interpret the results are unaware of the impact of technical pitfalls and of current spirometry testing recommendations.
Because spirometry has become so important in occupational health practice, companies need to consider the required components for valid tests and strategies for interpreting results, so that occupational spirometry tests are usable and of high technical quality. A strategy for addressing a highly technical program will include:
(1) accurate measurement of worker lung function (training of personnel, equipment considerations, and spirometry test procedures);
(2) appropriate interpretation of valid tests (comparing worker results with normal reference values and evaluating worker results over time);
(3) Quality Assurance (QA) reviews; and
(4) record-keeping.
Contact Your Safety DepartmentSM at 888-859-5653 to learn how we can help you achieve accurate spirometry measurements for your workers and to develop a highly rated technical approach to your spirometry testing requirements.
