To get a very safe job for both the employee and the public, you need to have a pre-employment physical. It is called a DOT physical, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration mandates it. To make sure that their employees are healthy enough for the job, they set guidelines for health.
People who drive for a living or work in transportation often need DOT physicals. A DOT physical exam checks to see if you are healthy enough to continue working in your current job. The exam includes checking your vision, hearing, and health. You can go to almost any doctor to have a physical done.
What’s the Goal of DOT Physicals?
The DOT physical is to find out if someone can work safely with a commercial vehicle. They will test how long you can sit and if you can handle the job’s physical demands.
A DOT physical is necessary for drivers who need to transport materials or operate motor vehicles that carry a certain number of people or vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds. This physical evaluates the driver’s ability to safely complete this schedule without endangering their own life or the lives of others.
If you pass the exam, you will get a medical certificate. This certificate is valid for two years. If you have a health condition and are receiving treatment, you might need to do annual or quarterly DOT physicals.
What Happens During the DOT EXAM?
The first step in a DOT physical is a medical history check. The potential or current employee will have to fill out a form with information about their medical conditions, past surgeries, and whether they smoke or drink.
Next, the physical examination happens. The medical examiner will check current medical conditions, current treatment and medication, and past surgeries.
- Hearing
- Vision
- Blood pressure
- Mouth and throat
- Lungs and chest
- Heart (via an electrocardiogram, or EKG)
- Vascular health
- Neurological health
- Musculoskeletal health
- Abdomen
- Genitals
- Urine and blood tests (to check blood sugar levels and to test for illegal drugs)
The DOT physical will determine if the person can drive a commercial vehicle.
How to get DOT Physicals in Reading, MA?
You need to hire people who can do the job safely and legally. New England DOT Physicals has certified medical examiners who can do comprehensive employment physicals, including DOT physicals. We also provide post-offer employment testing.
Our tests are precise and include a functional capacity evaluation, whereby we use specialized equipment to measure the employee’s ability to perform specific job tasks. We can customize the test based on actual job duties.
If you have any questions or want to schedule a DOT physical for yourself or get Massachusetts CDL self-certification, please call us today at 781-944-5400. We would be happy to help you and keep our roads safe for everyone.
