What is the purpose of a written medical surveillance program?

• A. To monitor health effects of exposures and detect early signs of occupational illness among workers.
• B. To train employees in chemical handling.
• C. To document all safety incidents for legal compliance.
• D. To measure production efficiency.

Answer: (A)

A written medical surveillance program is about monitoring health effects of exposures and catching early signs of occupational illness in workers. It involves baseline and periodic medical evaluations for employees exposed to specific hazards, so any subtle changes in health can be detected before symptoms appear. This allows timely interventions—such as adjusting job tasks, improving controls, or enhancing protective equipment—to prevent progression and protect workers’ health. The written plan ensures consistency in who is tested, what tests are used, how often, how results are handled, and how follow-up is conducted, all while maintaining confidentiality. This is focused on health monitoring, not on training, incident logging, or measuring productivity, which are separate aspects of safety and operations.