Medical Examinations
I. Actual language negotiated by Local 1547, Luke AFB
1. The Employer will provide each firefighter with an annual physical in accordance with NFPA standards to include the following:
a. Blood [red & white blood cell count and cholesterol check]
b. Eye
c. Hearing
d. Chest x-ray [accomplished during pre-and post employment examination only]
e. Resting EKG [accomplished during pre-and-post employment examination and every [2] years beginning with the age of 35]
f. Lung [pulmonary function test]
g. Tuberculosis [annually and upon potential exposure/request of employee]
h. HIV [annually and upon potential exposure/request of employee]
2. After tests are given, the employee will be given a written report, per test, within [30] calendar days after the completion of the examination[s].
3. If an employee is disqualified for fire fighting duties based on any of these tests, the Union and the employee will be provided notice immediately upon that determination [not later than the next duty day]. The employee may obtain a second opinion from his/her own physician. The Employer shall wait for a determination by the employee’s physician before taking any action. If the medical condition is curable, upon request of the employee, the Fire Chief will provide light duty until the medical condition is cured. If the condition is determined to be incurable and the employee is unable to perform his/her primary duties, the Employer will make a good faith attempt to accommodate the employee with an alternative job.
___________
II. Language proposed by Local 1770, Fort Bragg:
A. Medical Evaluation. The Employer shall conduct an industrial health (medical surveillance) program to assist all employees to maintain optimum health on the job. Unit employees shall be given a comprehensive medical and physical evaluation with emphasis on Cardiac and Respiratory Diseases in accordance with NFPA 1582 and as described in this section. However, the Parties recognize that NFPA 1582 is the minimum standard relating to Medical Evaluations for Firefighters. To ensure that a comprehensive medical evaluation is provided to all unit employees, the Employer agrees to:
1. Provide a medical examination that includes EKG, Blood work [including a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test for employees over 50], Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOB) upon employee request, urinalysis and any other test deemed necessary by the physician to ensure the employee is in good physical condition. Routine pulmonary function testing (PFT) – frequency based on age, baseline valves, and smoking history is also appropriate. (However, PFT testing will be done not less than every three (3) years). An assessment of the employee’s coronary artery disease risk factor will be made yearly. New unit employees will have this evaluation accomplished as part of their pre-employment medical examination.
2. The Employer agrees, that after the initial medical physical by the Employer upon being hired, bargaining unit employees may have the option of taking their yearly physical by personal physician (at their own expense) or the Employer’s Medical Personnel. The employee must bring in results of the physical to the Employer’s Medical Department thirty (30) days prior to their required yearly physical. All medical examination results will be annotated on the appropriate Department of the Army forms.