Recordkeeping

Employers must maintain employee records concerning objective data, exposure monitoring, and medical surveillance.

If using objective data to demonstrate that products made from or containing asbestos cannot release fibers in concentrations at or above the PEL or STEL, employers must keep an accurate record for as long as it is relied on and include the following information:

• Exempt products
• Objective data sources
• Testing protocol, test results, and analysis of the material for release of asbestos
• Exempt operation and support data descriptions
• Relevant data for operations, materials, processes, or employee exposures

Employers must keep records of all employee exposure monitoring for at least 30 years, including following information:

• Date of measurement
• Operations involving asbestos exposure that was monitored
• Methods of sampling and analysis that was used and evidence of their accuracy
• Number, duration, and results of samples taken
• Type of protective devices worn
• Name, social security number, and exposures of the employees involved

Employers must also make exposure records available when requested to affected employees, former employees, their designated representatives, or OSHA's Assistant Secretary.

In addition to retaining a copy of the information provided to the examining physician, employers must keep all medical surveillance records for the duration of an employee's employment plus 30 years, including the following information:

• Employee's name and social security number
• Employee's medical exam results, including the medical history, questionnaires, responses, test results, and physician's recommendations
• Physician's written opinions
• Employee's medical complaints related to asbestos exposure

Employers must also make employees' medical surveillance records available to them, as well as to anyone having specific written consent of an employee, and to OSHA's Assistant Secretary.

Also, employers must maintain other records. Employers must maintain all employee training records for 1 year beyond the last date of employment.

If data demonstrates asbestos containing material (ACM) does not contain asbestos, building owners or employers must keep associated records for as long as they rely on them. Building owners must maintain written notifications on the identification, location, and quantity of any ACM or PACM for the duration of ownership, and transfer the records to successive owners.

When employers cease to do business without a successor to keep their records, employers must notify the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) at least 90 days prior to their disposal and transmit them as requested.

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