Initial Examination

Employers must make available, at no cost to the employees, initial medical surveillance. This medical surveillance must be provided to employees within 30 days after an employee's initial assignment to a job that has the potential for exposure to cadmium or when air monitoring shows that employees are exposed to cadmium at or above the action level.

This initial medical surveillance consists of the following:

• An intense medical and work history, checking for exposure to cadmium or expected exposure to cadmium
• A check for a history of renal, cardiovascular, respiratory, reproductive, blood cell, or musculoskeletal issues
• Medication usage that might affect the kidneys
• Smoking history
• Biological monitoring, testing of urine and blood

In addition, a medical surveillance program with biological monitoring must be made available to any employee exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days in any consecutive 12 months.

To learn more about Cadmium Safety visit our Cadmium Safety Online Training web page.