Exposure to toxic substances in the workplace can have serious long-term health implications. That’s why OSHA requires employers to maintain accurate exposure and medical records—and grants employees specific rights to access them.

This interactive course helps both employees and supervisors understand their rights and responsibilities under OSHA's 29 CFR 1910.1020 standard. Through real-world examples, scenario-based questions, and practical guidance, learners will walk away with a clear understanding of:

What exposure and medical records must be kept

How long records must be retained

Who has access to which records, and under what circumstances

How to properly request, store, and protect these records

Whether you work in a role with potential chemical exposure or are responsible for managing sensitive health data, this course ensures you’re equipped to comply with federal regulations—and protect the health and privacy of the workforce.

Course Learning Objectives:
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

Define what constitutes an employee exposure record and a medical record under OSHA regulations.

Identify the roles and responsibilities of both employees and employers regarding record access and retention.

Explain how and when employees may access their medical and exposure records.

Apply procedures for maintaining, securing, and providing access to records in a compliant manner.

Describe the legal timeframe for record retention and destruction.

Recognize key employee rights under OSHA’s Access to Medical and Exposure Records Standard (29 CFR 1910.1020).

Course Outline:
Module 1: Introduction to Exposure & Medical Records
Why these records matter

Overview of OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.1020 standard

Real-world case studies: Exposure and its long-term effects

Module 2: What Qualifies as an Exposure or Medical Record?
Definitions and examples

Common toxic substances and routes of exposure

Difference between exposure records and medical records

Module 3: Employee Rights to Access Records
What employees are entitled to view

When and how access can be requested

Role of designated representatives

Module 4: Employer Responsibilities
Recordkeeping requirements

Storage, protection, and confidentiality

Responding to access requests

Module 5: Record Retention & Legal Compliance
Retention timelines (e.g., 30 years post-employment)

Proper disposal and documentation

Legal consequences for non-compliance

Module 6: Practical Scenarios & Case Reviews
Interactive decision-making exercises

Examples of correct and incorrect compliance practices

Roleplay: Processing an access request

Module 7: Final Knowledge Check
Multiple-choice and scenario-based quiz

Certificate of completion (if applicable)