Who is covered: Employees who work in regulated areas (where DBCP exposure exceeds the PEL) and employees who are exposed in emergencies [1910.1044(m)(1)(i)]
Evaluation performed by: Licensed physician (examinations by or under the supervision of) [1910.1044(m)(1)(ii)]
🩺 Baseline / Pre-Placement
At the time of initial assignment to a regulated area [1910.1044(m)(2)]
- Complete medical and occupational history, including reproductive history [1910.1044(m)(2)(i)]
- Physical examination including the genitourinary tract, testicle size, and body habitus, with a determination of sperm count [1910.1044(m)(2)(ii)]
- Serum hormone determinations by radioimmunoassay (NIH-specific antigen or equivalent sensitivity): serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), serum luteinizing hormone (LH), and serum total estrogen (females) [1910.1044(m)(2)(iii)]
- Any other tests the examining physician deems appropriate [1910.1044(m)(2)(iv)]
🕒 Periodic / Routine
Interval-based while covered — NOT result-triggered
Schedule: At least annually after the initial examination [1910.1044(m)(2)].
- Updated medical/occupational and reproductive history
- Physical examination including genitourinary tract, testicle size, body habitus, and sperm count determination
- Serum FSH, LH, and total estrogen (females) by radioimmunoassay
- Other tests the physician deems appropriate
⚠ Emergency / Post-Exposure
Emergency exposure
- Sperm count determination as soon as practicable after the exposure [1910.1044(m)(6)]
- If the employee has had a vasectomy or is otherwise unable to produce a specimen, serum FSH, LH, and total estrogen (females) by radioimmunoassay instead
- Repeat of the same tests 3 months later [1910.1044(m)(6)]
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols
Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols
- Employee develops signs or symptoms commonly associated with DBCP exposure 1910.1044(m)(3): Provide an additional medical examination including the reproductive battery and any tests the physician deems appropriate. Tests: Sperm count determination, Serum FSH, LH, total estrogen (females) by radioimmunoassay, Genitourinary physical examination
- Physician detects a medical condition that places the employee at increased risk from DBCP exposure 1910.1044(m)(5)(i): No automatic medical-removal criteria. The physician's written opinion states any detected increased-risk condition [(m)(5)(i)(b)] and any recommended limitations on exposure or PPE use [(m)(5)(i)(c)]; these guide but do not mandate employer action. Tests: Follow-up reproductive testing as the physician recommends
Reporting Requirements
| Who performs the evaluation | Licensed physician |
|---|---|
| Reported to employer | Written opinion including the results of the medical examination and tests, the physician's assessment of whether the employee has any detected medical condition that places them at increased risk from DBCP exposure, and any recommended limitations on exposure or PPE use [1910.1044(m)(5)(i)]. The employer must instruct the physician NOT to reveal in the written opinion specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to occupational exposure [1910.1044(m)(5)(ii)]. |
| Reported to / for the employee | Employer provides the employee with a copy of the written opinion; physician informs the employee of any condition that may require further examination or treatment. |
| Time limits | Employer furnishes a copy of the written opinion to the employee (standard requires provision but a specific day-count is not stated in (m)(5)). |
| Second-opinion / multi-physician review | Standard does not establish a formal multiple-physician review mechanism. |
| Recordkeeping | Medical surveillance records maintained for at least 40 years, or the duration of employment plus 20 years, whichever is longer [1910.1044(p)(2)(iii)]. |
Medical Removal Protection
No automatic medical removal protection. The physician's written opinion identifies any increased-risk condition and recommended exposure/PPE limitations, which guide but do not mandate removal.