Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, often referred to as the General Duty Clause, requires employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees." Section 5(a)(2) requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act." Section 6(b)(7) provides for OSHA to adopt standards requiring medical surveillance.
 

Note: Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved State Plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these States adopt standards that are identical to Federal OSHA. However, some States have adopted different standards applicable to this topic or may have different enforcement policies.

General Industry (29 CFR 1910)

• 1910 Subpart H, Hazardous materials
  • 1910.120, Hazardous waste operations and emergency response [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart I, Personal protective equipment [related topic page]
  • 1910.134, Respiratory protection [related topic page]
• 1910 Subpart Z, Toxic and hazardous substances [related topic page]
  • 1910.1001, Asbestos [related topic page]
    • Appendix H, Medical surveillance guidelines for asbestos (Non-mandatory)
  • 1910.1003, 13 Carcinogens (4-nitrobiphenyl, etc.)
  • 1910.1004, alpha-Naphthylamine
  • 1910.1006, Methyl chloromethyl ether
  • 1910.1007, 3,3'-Dichlorobenzidine (and its salts)
  • 1910.1008, bis-Chloromethyl ether
  • 1910.1009, beta-Naphthylamine
  • 1910.1010, Benzidine
  • 1910.1011, 4-Aminodiphenyl
  • 1910.1012, Ethyleneimine
  • 1910.1013, beta-Propiolactone
  • 1910.1014, 2-Acetylaminofluorene
  • 1910.1015, 4-Dimethylaminoazobenzene
  • 1910.1016, N-Nitrosodimethylamine
  • 1910.1017, Vinyl chloride
  • 1910.1018, Inorganic Arsenic [related topic page]
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines
  • 1910.1025, Lead [related topic page]
  • 1910.1027, Cadmium [related topic page]
  • 1910.1028, Benzene [related topic page]
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for benzene
  • 1910.1029, Coke oven emissions
    • Appendix B, Industrial hygiene and medical surveillance guidelines
  • 1910.1030, Bloodborne pathogens [related topic page]
  • 1910.1043, Cotton dust [related topic page]
  • 1910.1044, 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for DBCP
  • 1910.1045, Acrylonitrile
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for acrylonitrile
  • 1910.1047, Ethylene oxide [related topic page]
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for ethylene oxide (Non-mandatory)
  • 1910.1048, Formaldehyde [related topic page]
  • 1910.1050, Methylenedianiline
    • Appendix C, Medical surveillance guidelines for MDA
  • 1910.1450, Occupational exposure to hazardous chemicals in the laboratories

• National Emphasis Program – Microwave Popcorn Processing Plants. CPL 03-00-005, (2007, July 27). Also available as a 216 KB PDF, 49 pages. Describes policies and procedures for implementing a National Emphasis Program to identify and reduce or eliminate exposures to butter-flavoring chemicals used in microwave popcorn manufacturing facilities.
• OSHA Medical Surveillance Regulations -- Genetic Testing. STD 01-23-004 [STD 1-23.4], (1980, August 22). Provides an interpretation of OSHA health standards that require medical surveillance programs specifying a medical history with family and occupational background, including genetic and environmental factors.
• Search all available directives.

• Medical surveillance is not required for terminated employees. (1984, February 29).
• Access to employee exposure and medical records. (1997, October 29).
• OSHA policy regarding medical surveillance requirements. (1987, August 6).
• Respiratory protection, medical surveillance, and training requirements under HAZWOPER. (2002, September 24).
• HAZWOPER medical examinations must be offered at a reasonable time and without cost to the employee. (2002, September 25).
• Search all available standards interpretations.