Work placement and worker fitness. Implications of the Americans with Disabilities Act for pulmonary medicine.
Pulmonary physicians have a significant role in assessing the ability of individuals with respiratory impairments to be placed in jobs or retain current jobs. The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates a high level of rational thought and justification for any recommendation against placement or work retention. This article reviews criteria for determining if an individual with a respiratory impairment or disability can currently and safely perform a job and if there is substantial direct threat of future risk. In addition, methods of modifying the workplace to accommodate individuals with respiratory disabilities are discussed.
Harber
P
P
University of California, Los Angeles.
Fedoruk
M J
MJ
D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D004651:Employment / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation; D017132:Workplace