Right to Examine Exposure and Medical Records
Under OSHA's standard 1910.1020, Access to employee exposure and medical records, employees, their designated representatives, and OSHA representatives have the right to examine and copy their own exposure and medical records, including records of workplace monitoring or measuring a toxic substance. This is important if they have been exposed to toxic substances or harmful physical agents in the workplace, as this regulation may help them detect, prevent, and treat occupational disease.
Examples of toxic substances and harmful physical agents include:
- Metals and Dusts: Such as lead, cadmium, and silica.
- Biological Agents: Including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- Physical Stress: This can be noise, heat, cold, vibration, repetitive motion, and both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation.
OSHA standards require employers to measure exposure to harmful substances. "Exposure" or "exposed" means that a worker is subjected to a toxic substance or harmful physical agent in the course of employment through any route of entry (inhalation, ingestion, skin contact or absorption, etc.), and includes past exposure and potential (e.g., accidental or possible) exposure.
Workers or their representatives have the right to observe the testing and examine the results. If the exposure levels are above the limit set by the standard, the employer must inform the workers and explain what will be done to reduce their exposure.
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2-9. What is the exception to a workers right to access OSHA exposure and medical records?
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