[Use of laboratory examinations in the organized occupational health services]

The extent of laboratory examinations in the health programmes of Norwegian companies was studied by questionnaire. From the reports (60% response) it can be calculated that less than 14% of the tests were requested to control employees at elevated occupational risk. Two thirds of the tests were carried out as part of programmes for screening of presumptive healthy individuals at no special risk. There were large variations in this service from company to company. About 75% of the analyses were performed at the occupational health service premises, usually by nurses without laboratory education. It is concluded that the use of laboratory examinations in occupational medicine should be critically evaluated.