Bomb Technicians

Medical Evaluation

Diabetes Guidance
The LEO chapter on Diabetes Mellitus should be used with the following changes:

• Bomb technicians with peripheral neuropathy should be assessed by the bomb squad commander for task-specific capability.

Neurological Guidance
For seizure disorders, the LEO section on Seizures and Epilepsy (Neurology chapter) should be used with no changes.

Pending expansion of the LEO chapter on neurological disorders, the need for restrictions should be considered for neurological disorders other than seizures and epilepsy (e.g., tremors, ataxia, vertigo with recent symptoms, decreased hand sensation, hand paresthesias, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, Meniere’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke).

Bomb technicians should also be assessed by the bomb squad commander for task-specific capability.

Vision Guidance
The LEO chapter on Eyes and Vision should be used with the following changes:

Visual acuity

• Distant vision: see chapter Eyes and Vision chapter
• Near vision: 20/20 or better binocularly (OU) — Snellen equivalent corrected at 16 inches
• Intermediate vision: 20/20 or better binocularly (OU) — Snellen equivalent corrected at 24

Stereopsis
Stereopsis should be 40 seconds of arc or better (corrected).

Color vision
Bomb technicians should pass the one of the following tests:

• Farnsworth D-15 test with no major crossings (defined as skipping over more than one cap) OR
• Hardy-Rand-Rittler test, 4th edition, with no errors

Hearing Guidance
The LEO chapter on Hearing should be used with no changes.

Cardiovascular Guidance
The LEO chapter on Cardiovascular Disease should be used with no changes.

Respiratory Guidance
The LEO chapter on Respiratory Disorders should be used with no changes.

Musculoskeletal Guidance
The LEO chapter on Musculoskeletal Disorders/Knee should be used with no changes. Bomb technicians should also be assessed by the bomb squad commander for task-specific capability.

Infectious Diseases Guidance
The LEO chapter on Infectious Diseases should be used with no changes.

Mental Health Guidance
The LEO chapter on Mental Health Disorders should be used with no changes.

Medications Guidance
The LEO chapter on Medications should be used with the following changes:

• Provide restrictions for medications currently causing visual changes or drowsiness;
• Bomb technicians should be required to report any new medication to the police physician.

Pregnancy Guidance
The LEO chapter on Pregnancy should be used with the following changes:

Pregnant bomb technicians should be advised of the following additional risks:

• Increased heat-related risks due to the bomb suit or other protective suit;
• The bomb suit is not adapted to protect a pregnant bomb technician and may not offer the same level of protection during pregnancy.

Amputations and Prosthetics Guidance
The LEO chapter on Amputations and Prosthetics should be used with the following changes:

• Bomb technicians with any upper extremity amputation should be assessed by the bomb squad commander for task-specific capability.

Sleep Disorders Guidance
The LEO chapter on Sleep Disorders should be used with no changes.

Substance Use Guidance
The LEO chapter on Substance Use Disorders should be used with no changes.

Miscellaneous Issues
Pending publication of a chapter on these disorders, bomb technicians should be evaluated for restrictions if they have any of the following conditions:

• Poor heat tolerance
• History of heat stroke or heat exhaustion
• Recurrent rhabdomyolysis
• Claustrophobia
• Allergy to explosives
• Dermatological condition, skull or facial deformity that would not allow for a successful fit test for respirators or use of the bomb suit
• Tracheostomy
• Aphonia