Company characteristics and workplace medical testing

Abstract

Objectives: This study measures the relative impact of company economic characteristics and workplace hazards on the prevalence of several types of medical testing. It uses the results to assess likely public health impacts of testing.

Methods: We used data on potential exposure to workplace hazards, medical testing, unionization, firm size, and turnover from the National Occupational Hazards Survey and the National Occupational Exposure Survey. Other sources provided industry-specific data on wages and turnover. Logistic regression analysis estimated the relationship of economic variables and workplace health risks to the prevalence of medical testing.

Results: Economic variables were related to the prevalence of testing. However, consistent positive relationships were not found between health hazards and testing.

Conclusions: Employers' testing decisions may not be beneficial to the health of workers and may shift the costs of illness to workers or other employers. Safer firms may provide too much medical testing, and firms that are less safe may provide too little.