Medical Surveillance Program

As mentioned in the previous slide, a medical surveillance program is required for any employee exposed at or above the action level for more than 30 days in any consecutive 12 months. Employers must design and implement this program.

The contents of this program will depend on your worksite and its specifications. In many cases, it will not include just lead; many sites have other hazards that should also be a part of the program.

A medical surveillance program should include medical surveillance and monitoring practices. In short, it is a written program that details all of the preventative and clinic measures taken to decrease health hazards (and to diagnose and treat these health hazards early).

It also includes informing employees of the following:

• The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program and medical removal protection program
• That chelating agents (prescription medicines to decrease the body's lead levels) must not be routinely used to remove lead from their bodies. (These treat existing lead levels but do not diminish chronic overexposure.)
• When necessary, chelating agents are only to be used under medical supervision and at a licensed physician's direction.
• Employee rights to accessing records under 29 CFR 1910.1020 "Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records"

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