Medical Surveillance

The term "medical surveillance" refers to the analysis of worker health information to look for problems in the workplace that may require targeted prevention. Thus, surveillance serves as a feedback loop to the employer. Cal/OSHA requires medical surveillance, sometimes in the form of pre-placement exams, periodic exams, exposure tests, x-rays, and more, for employees who use or are exposed to certain chemicals, such as asbestos, lead, cadmium, and hexavalent chromium. Medical surveillance must be provided to any employee who is currently exposed to cadmium or who has previously been exposed to cadmium.

The employer is responsible for making sure that the employee is evaluated by a licensed physician who is specifically knowledgeable about the health effects of cadmium exposure. The employer must also pay for all costs associated with these evaluations, including reviews by multiple physicians. Employers are responsible for providing these services at a time and place that is convenient to their employees.

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