644 Understanding OSHA

Employers Must Provide Medical Exams

Your employer must provide medical exams, when required by OSHA standards, and provide you access to your exposure and medical records.

We discussed access to medical records earlier when covering worker rights. When you are working with chemicals or other hazardous substances that require the use of respiratory protection, your employer may be required to conduct monitoring or provide medical examinations that involve you. below are two examples.

Respiratory protection: Before wearing a respirator, you must first be medically evaluated using the mandatory medical questionnaire or an equivalent method. The employer may also be required to provide a follow-up medical examination.

Workers exposed to lead: Medical exams must be made available according to the following schedule to all employees exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days in any consecutive 12 months.

• At least annually for employees who have had a blood lead level at or above 40 ug/dl at any time during the preceding 12 months;
• As soon as possible for employees with signs or symptoms of lead intoxication, pregnant employees, and employees who demonstrate difficulty in breathing during a respirator fit test or during respirator use; and
• As medically appropriate for employees removed from lead exposure.

Your employer must give you copies of medical or exposure records involving you if you request them.

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