General Industry
Evaluation performed by: Licensed physician (employer-selected; multiple-physician review available to employee)
Prior to assignment, or when work first becomes covered — unless a BLL was tested within the prior 2 months
- Detailed work + medical history (prior lead exposure; reproductive history; GI, hematologic, neurologic, renal, cardiovascular status)
- Physical examination — emphasis on hematologic, GI, renal, neurologic, cardiovascular systems
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood lead level (BLL)
- Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red-cell indices
- BUN and serum creatinine
- Routine urinalysis with microscopic examination
Interval-based while covered — NOT result-triggered
Schedule: BLL at least every 6 months while covered (at least every 2 months during the first 6 months of exposure).
- Blood lead level (BLL)
- Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) — when a prior BLL was ≥20 µg/dL
At termination of employment in lead work
- Termination medical examination — required unless a periodic exam was completed within the 6 months prior to job end
Employee reports signs/symptoms of lead exposure, or following a medical removal
- Full medical examination
- Blood lead level (BLL)
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols
Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols
- BLL ≥10 µg/dL 8 CCR 5198 — elevated-BLL response: Employer must implement a written elevated-blood-lead response plan (exposure assessment + controls).
- BLL 10–19 µg/dL 8 CCR 5198 — accelerated monitoring: BLL at least every 2 months until two consecutive results are <10 µg/dL. Tests: Blood lead level (BLL)
- BLL ≥20 µg/dL 8 CCR 5198 — accelerated monitoring + exam: BLL at least monthly while Level-3 trigger tasks are performed; provide a full medical examination at least annually. Tests: Blood lead level (BLL), ZPP, Annual full medical examination
- Single BLL ≥30 µg/dL (eff. Jan 1, 2026 also: two consecutive tests ≥20, or 6-month average ≥20 unless last <15) 8 CCR 5198 — Medical Removal Protection: Remove from exposure; MRP wage/benefit protection up to 18 months. Return at two tests ≥30 days apart both <15 µg/dL. Tests: Periodic BLL during removal to determine return eligibility
Reporting Requirements
| Who performs the evaluation | Licensed physician |
|---|---|
| Reported to employer | Written medical opinion limited to fitness, recommended limitations, and removal/return recommendations; must not disclose unrelated findings. |
| Reported to / for the employee | Employee informed of exam results and of any condition needing further evaluation; furnished a copy of the written opinion. |
| Time limits | Written opinion furnished to the employee within 5 working days of employer receipt. |
| Second-opinion / multi-physician review | Multiple-physician review available to the employee. |
| Recordkeeping | Medical records retained for the duration of employment plus 40 years (8 CCR 3204). |
Medical Removal Protection
Removal at single BLL ≥30 µg/dl; (eff. Jan 1, 2026) two consecutive tests both ≥20, or 6-month average ≥20 unless last test <15; return at two consecutive tests ≥30 days apart both <15 µg/dl; up to 18 months benefits.
Construction
Evaluation performed by: Licensed physician (employer-selected; multiple-physician review available to employee)
Before assignment or before trigger-task work — unless a BLL was tested within the prior 2 months
- Detailed work + medical history (prior lead exposure; reproductive history; GI, hematologic, neurologic, renal, cardiovascular status)
- Physical examination — emphasis on hematologic, GI, renal, neurologic, cardiovascular systems
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood lead level (BLL)
- Hemoglobin, hematocrit, red-cell indices
- BUN and serum creatinine
- Routine urinalysis with microscopic examination
Interval-based while covered — NOT result-triggered
Schedule: BLL at least every 6 months while covered (at least every 2 months during the first 6 months of exposure).
- Blood lead level (BLL)
- Zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) — when the last BLL was ≥20 µg/dL
Airborne lead >500 µg/m³, or during Level-3 trigger tasks
- Blood lead level (BLL) at least monthly during the triggering condition
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols
Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols
- BLL 10–19 µg/dL 8 CCR 1532.1 — accelerated monitoring: BLL at least every 2 months until two consecutive results are <10 µg/dL. Tests: Blood lead level (BLL)
- BLL ≥20 µg/dL 8 CCR 1532.1 — accelerated monitoring: BLL at least monthly. Tests: Blood lead level (BLL), ZPP
- BLL ≥30 µg/dL (eff. Jan 1, 2026 also: last two tests ≥20, or 6-month average ≥20) 8 CCR 1532.1 — Medical Removal Protection: Remove from exposure; MRP wage/benefit protection up to 18 months. Return at two tests ≥30 days apart both <15 µg/dL. Tests: Periodic BLL during removal to determine return eligibility
Reporting Requirements
| Who performs the evaluation | Licensed physician |
|---|---|
| Reported to employer | Written medical opinion limited to fitness, recommended limitations, and removal/return recommendations; must not disclose unrelated findings. |
| Reported to / for the employee | Employee informed of exam results and of any condition needing further evaluation; furnished a copy of the written opinion. |
| Time limits | Written opinion furnished to the employee within 5 working days of employer receipt. |
| Second-opinion / multi-physician review | Multiple-physician review available to the employee. |
| Recordkeeping | Medical records retained for the duration of employment plus 40 years (8 CCR 3204). Note: 1532.1 specifies no termination blood-lead test. |
Medical Removal Protection
Removal at BLL ≥30 µg/dl (eff. Jan 1, 2026 also: last two tests ≥20, or 6-month average ≥20); return at two tests ≥30 days apart both <15 µg/dl; up to 18 months benefits.