Title: Medical Surveillance & Recordkeeping
Type: Lesson
Medical surveillance is required by OSHA for workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica at or above the Action Level (AL) of 25 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic meter) averaged over an 8-hour workday, for 30 or more days per year.
The goal is early detection of silica-related diseases — before symptoms become severe.
You are eligible (and OSHA requires it) if:
You wear a respirator 30+ days per year for silica exposure
Your exposure reaches or exceeds the OSHA Action Level
You perform Table 1 tasks that require respirator use frequently
📌 Even if exposure is brief each day, you still qualify if it totals 30+ days/year.
Medical surveillance must be provided at no cost to the worker and include:
Initial physical exam and health history
Respiratory questionnaire
Lung function tests (spirometry)
Chest X-rays
TB test (if recommended)
Initial exam must be conducted within 30 days of assignment
Follow-up exams every 3 years (or as recommended by a physician)
The examining physician must provide:
A written medical opinion for the employer
Recommendations for further evaluation or PPE use
💬 Employers only receive fit-for-duty status — no private medical details.
Employers must keep:
A copy of the written medical opinion
Records of exposure assessments
Training logs and documentation
Silica-related incidents or symptoms reported on the job
Records must be:
Confidential
Maintained for at least 30 years (per OSHA 1910.1020)
If silica exposure is part of your job — even occasionally — you may qualify for medical surveillance. It’s not just required — it’s a tool to protect your health long term.
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