29 CFR 1926.1127 - Cadmium in Construction Standard

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Title 29: Labor
PART 1926—SAFETY AND HEALTH REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION
Subpart Z—Toxic and Hazardous Substances

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§ 1926.1127 Cadmium.

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(a) Scope. This standard applies to all occupational exposures to cadmium and
cadmium compounds, in all forms, in all construction work where an employee
may potentially be exposed to cadmium. Construction work is defined as work
involving construction, alteration and/or repair, including but not limited to the
following:
(1) Wrecking, demolition or salvage of structures where cadmium or materials
containing cadmium are present;
(2) Use of cadmium containing-paints and cutting, brazing, burning, grinding or
welding on surfaces that were painted with cadmium-containing paints;
(3) Construction, alteration, repair, maintenance, or renovation of structures,
substrates, or portions thereof, that contain cadmium, or materials containing
cadmium;
(4) Cadmium welding; cutting and welding cadmium-plated steel; brazing or
welding with cadmium alloys;
(5) Installation of products containing cadmium;
(6) Electrical grounding with cadmium welding, or electrical work using cadmiumcoated conduit;
(7) Maintaining or retrofitting cadmium-coated equipment;
(8) Cadmium contamination/emergency cleanup; and
(9) Transportation, disposal, storage, or containment of cadmium or materials
containing cadmium on the site or location at which construction activities are

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performed.
(b) Definitions.
Action level (AL) is defined as an airborne concentration of cadmium of 2.5
micrograms per cubic meter of air (2.5 µg/m 3 ), calculated as an 8-hour timeweighted average (TWA).
Assistant Secretary means the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety
and Health, U.S. Department of Labor, or designee.
Authorized person means any person authorized by the employer and required by
work duties to be present in regulated areas or any person authorized by the OSH
Act or regulations issued under it to be in regulated areas.
Competent person, in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.32(f), means a person
designated by the employer to act on the employer's behalf who is capable of
identifying existing and potential cadmium hazards in the workplace and the proper
methods to control them in order to protect workers, and has the authority
necessary to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate or control such hazards.
The duties of a competent person include at least the following: Determining prior
to the performance of work whether cadmium is present in the workplace;
establishing, where necessary, regulated areas and assuring that access to and from
those areas is limited to authorized employees; assuring the adequacy of any
employee exposure monitoring required by this standard; assuring that all
employees exposed to air cadmium levels above the PEL wear appropriate personal
protective equipment and are trained in the use of appropriate methods of exposure
control; assuring that proper hygiene facilities are provided and that workers are
trained to use those facilities; and assuring that the engineering controls required by
this standard are implemented, maintained in proper operating condition, and
functioning properly.
Director means the Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or designee.
Employee exposure and similar language referring to the air cadmium level to
which an employee is exposed means the exposure to airborne cadmium that would
occur if the employee were not using respiratory protective equipment.
Final medical determination is the written medical opinion of the employee's health
status by the examining physician under paragraphs (l)(3)-(12) of this section or, if
multiple physician review under paragraph (l)(13) of this section or the alternative
physician determination under paragraph (l)(14) of this section is invoked, it is the
final, written medical finding, recommendation or determination that emerges from
that process.
High-efficiency Particulate Air [HEPA] filter means a filter capable of trapping
and retaining at least 99.97 percent of mono-dispersed particles of 0.3 micrometers
in diameter.
Regulated area means an area demarcated by the employer where an employee's
exposure to airborne concentrations of cadmium exceeds, or can reasonably be
expected to exceed the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
This section means this cadmium standard.
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(c) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL). The employer shall assure that no employee
is exposed to an airborne concentration of cadmium in excess of five micrograms
per cubic meter of air (5 µg/m 3 ), calculated as an eight-hour time-weighted
average exposure (TWA).
(d) Exposure Monitoring —(1) General. (i) Prior to the performance of any
construction work where employees may be potentially exposed to cadmium, the
employer shall establish the applicability of this standard by determining whether
cadmium is present in the workplace and whether there is the possibility that
employee exposures will be at or above the action level. The employer shall
designate a competent person who shall make this determination. Investigation and
material testing techniques shall be used, as appropriate, in the determination.
Investigation shall include a review of relevant plans, past reports, material safety
data sheets, and other available records, and consultations with the property owner
and discussions with appropriate individuals and agencies.
(ii) Where cadmium has been determined to be present in the workplace, and it has
been determined that there is a possibility the employee's exposure will be at or
above the action level, the competent person shall identify employees potentially
exposed to cadmium at or above the action level.
(iii) Determinations of employee exposure shall be made from breathing-zone air
samples that reflect the monitored employee's regular, daily 8-hour TWA exposure
to cadmium.
(iv) Eight-hour TWA exposures shall be determined for each employee on the basis
of one or more personal breathing-zone air samples reflecting full shift exposure on
each shift, for each job classification, in each work area. Where several employees
perform the same job tasks, in the same job classification, on the same shift, in the
same work area, and the length, duration, and level of cadmium exposures are
similar, an employer may sample a representative fraction of the employees instead
of all employees in order to meet this requirement. In representative sampling, the
employer shall sample the employee(s) expected to have the highest cadmium
exposures.
(2) Specific. (i) Initial monitoring. Except as provided for in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of
this section, where a determination conducted under paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this
section shows the possibility of employee exposure to cadmium at or above the
action level, the employer shall conduct exposure monitoring as soon as practicable
that is representative of the exposure for each employee in the workplace who is or
may be exposed to cadmium at or above the action level.
(ii) In addition, if the employee periodically performs tasks that may expose the
employee to a higher concentration of airborne cadmium, the employee shall be
monitored while performing those tasks.
(iii) Where the employer has objective data, as defined in paragraph (n)(2) of this
section, demonstrating that employee exposure to cadmium will not exceed
airborne concentrations at or above the action level under the expected conditions
of processing, use, or handling, the employer may rely upon such data instead of
implementing initial monitoring.
(iv) Where a determination conducted under paragraphs (d)(1) or (d)(2) of this

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section is made that a potentially exposed employee is not exposed to airborne
concentrations of cadmium at or above the action level, the employer shall make a
written record of such determination. The record shall include at least the
monitoring data developed under paragraphs (d)(2)(i)–(iii) of this section, where
applicable, and shall also include the date of determination, and the name and
social security number of each employee.
(3) Monitoring frequency (periodic monitoring). (i) If the initial monitoring or
periodic monitoring reveals employee exposures to be at or above the action level,
the employer shall monitor at a frequency and pattern needed to assure that the
monitoring results reflect with reasonable accuracy the employee's typical exposure
levels, given the variability in the tasks performed, work practices, and
environmental conditions on the job site, and to assure the adequacy of respiratory
selection and the effectiveness of engineering and work practice controls.
(ii) If the initial monitoring or the periodic monitoring indicates that employee
exposures are below the action level and that result is confirmed by the results of
another monitoring taken at least seven days later, the employer may discontinue
the monitoring for those employees whose exposures are represented by such
monitoring.
(4) Additional monitoring. The employer also shall institute the exposure
monitoring required under paragraphs (d)(2)(i) and (d)(3) of this section whenever
there has been a change in the raw materials, equipment, personnel, work practices,
or finished products that may result in additional employees being exposed to
cadmium at or above the action level or in employees already exposed to cadmium
at or above the action level being exposed above the PEL, or whenever the
employer or competent person has any reason to suspect that any other change
might result in such further exposure.
(5) Employee notification of monitoring results. (i) The employer must, as soon as
possible but no later than 5 working days after the receipt of the results of any
monitoring performed under this section, notify each affected employee of these
results either individually in writing or by posting the results in an appropriate
location that is accessible to employees.
(ii) Wherever monitoring results indicate that employee exposure exceeds the PEL,
the employer shall include in the written notice a statement that the PEL has been
exceeded and a description of the corrective action being taken by the employer to
reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL.
(6) Accuracy of measurement. The employer shall use a method of monitoring and
analysis that has an accuracy of not less than plus or minus 25 percent (±25%),
with a confidence level of 95 percent, for airborne concentrations of cadmium at or
above the action level and the permissible exposure limit.
(e) Regulated areas —(1) Establishment. The employer shall establish a regulated
area wherever an employee's exposure to airborne concentrations of cadmium is, or
can reasonably be expected to be in excess of the permissible exposure limit (PEL).
(2) Demarcation. Regulated areas shall be demarcated from the rest of the
workplace in any manner that adequately establishes and alerts employees of the
boundaries of the regulated area, including employees who are or may be
incidentally in the regulated areas, and that protects persons outside the area from
exposure to airborne concentrations of cadmium in excess of the PEL.
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(3) Access. Access to regulated areas shall be limited to authorized persons.
(4) Provision of respirators. Each person entering a regulated area shall be
supplied with and required to use a respirator, selected in accordance with
paragraph (g)(2) of this section.
(5) Prohibited activities. The employer shall assure that employees do not eat,
drink, smoke, chew tobacco or gum, or apply cosmetics in regulated areas, or carry
the products associated with any of these activities into regulated areas or store
such products in those areas.
(f) Methods of compliance —(1) Compliance hierarchy. (i) Except as specified in
paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section, the employer shall implement engineering and
work practice controls to reduce and maintain employee exposure to cadmium at or
below the PEL, except to the extent that the employer can demonstrate that such
controls are not feasible.
(ii) The requirement to implement engineering controls to achieve the PEL does not
apply where the employer demonstrates the following:
(A) The employee is only intermittently exposed; and
(B) The employee is not exposed above the PEL on 30 or more days per year (12
consecutive months).
(iii) Wherever engineering and work practice controls are not sufficient to reduce
employee exposure to or below the PEL, the employer nonetheless shall implement
such controls to reduce exposures to the lowest levels achievable. The employer
shall supplement such controls with respiratory protection that complies with the
requirements of paragraph (g) of this section and the PEL.
(iv) The employer shall not use employee rotation as a method of compliance.
(2) Specific operations —(i) Abrasive blasting. Abrasive blasting on cadmium or
cadmium-containing materials shall be conducted in a manner that will provide
adequate protection.
(ii) Heating cadmium and cadmium-containing materials. Welding, cutting, and
other forms of heating of cadmium or cadmium-containing materials shall be
conducted in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1926.353 and 29 CFR
1926.354, where applicable.
(3) Prohibitions. (i) High speed abrasive disc saws and similar abrasive power
equipment shall not be used for work on cadmium or cadmium-containing
materials unless they are equipped with appropriate engineering controls to
minimize emissions, if the exposure levels are above the PEL.
(ii) Materials containing cadmium shall not be applied by spray methods, if
exposures are above the PEL, unless employees are protected with supplied-air
respirators with full facepiece, hood, helmet, suit, operated in positive pressure
mode and measures are instituted to limit overspray and prevent contamination of
adjacent areas.
(4) Mechanical ventilation. (i) When ventilation is used to control exposure,

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measurements that demonstrate the effectiveness of the system in controlling
exposure, such as capture velocity, duct velocity, or static pressure shall be made
as necessary to maintain its effectiveness.
(ii) Measurements of the system's effectiveness in controlling exposure shall be
made as necessary within five working days of any change in production, process,
or control that might result in a significant increase in employee exposure to
cadmium.
(iii) Recirculation of air. If air from exhaust ventilation is recirculated into the
workplace, the system shall have a high efficiency filter and be monitored to assure
effectiveness.
(iv) Procedures shall be developed and implemented to minimize employee
exposure to cadmium when maintenance of ventilation systems and changing of
filters is being conducted.
(5) Compliance program. (i) Where employee exposure to cadmium exceeds the
PEL and the employer is required under paragraph (f)(1) of this section to
implement controls to comply with the PEL, prior to the commencement of the job
the employer shall establish and implement a written compliance program to
reduce employee exposure to or below the PEL. To the extent that engineering and
work practice controls cannot reduce exposures to or below the PEL, the employer
shall include in the written compliance program the use of appropriate respiratory
protection to achieve compliance with the PEL.
(ii) Written compliance programs shall be reviewed and updated as often and as
promptly as necessary to reflect significant changes in the employer's compliance
status or significant changes in the lowest air cadmium level that is technologically
feasible.
(iii) A competent person shall review the comprehensive compliance program
initially and after each change.
(iv) Written compliance programs shall be provided upon request for examination
and copying to the Assistant Secretary, the Director, affected employees, and
designated employee representatives.
(g) Respirator protection —(1) General. For employees who use respirators
required by this section, the employer must provide each employee an appropriate
respirator that complies with the requirements of this paragraph. Respirators must
be used during:
(i) Periods necessary to install or implement feasible engineering and work-practice
controls when employee exposures exceed the PEL.
(ii) Maintenance and repair activities, and brief or intermittent work operations, for
which employee exposures exceed the PEL and engineering and work-practice
controls are not feasible or are not required.
(iii) Work operations in the regulated areas specified in paragraph (e) of this
section.
(iv) Work operations for which the employer has implemented all feasible
engineering and work-practice controls, and such controls are not sufficient to

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reduce employee exposures to or below the PEL.
(v) Work operations for which an employee, who is exposed to cadmium at or
above the action level, requests a respirator.
(vi) Work operations for which engineering controls are not required by paragraph
(f)(1)(ii) of this section to reduce employee exposures that exceed the PEL.
(vii) Emergencies.
(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a respiratory protection
program in accordance with §1910.134 (b) through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f)
through (m), which covers each employee required by this section to use a
respirator.
(ii) If an employee exhibits breathing difficulty during fit testing or respirator use,
the employer must provide the employee with a medical examination in accordance
with paragraph (l)(6)(ii) of this section to determine if the employee can use a
respirator while performing the required duties.
(iii) No employee must use a respirator when, based on their most recent medical
examination, the examining physician determines that the employee will be unable
to continue to function normally while using a respirator. If the physician
determines the employee must be limited in, or removed from, their current job
because of the employee's inability to use a respirator, the job limitation or removal
must be conducted in accordance with paragraphs (l) (11) and (12) of this section.
(3) Respirator selection. (i) Employers must:
(A) Select, and provide to employees, the appropriate respirators specified in
paragraph (d)(3)(i)(A) of 29 CFR 1910.134.
(B) Provide employees with full facepiece respirators when they experience eye
irritation.
(C) Provide HEPA filters for powered and non-powered air-purifying respirators.
(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator instead of a
negative-pressure respirator when an employee entitled to a respirator chooses to
use this type of respirator and such a respirator will provide adequate protection to
the employee.
(h) Emergency situations. The employer shall develop and implement a written
plan for dealing with emergency situations involving substantial releases of
airborne cadmium. The plan shall include provisions for the use of appropriate
respirators and personal protective equipment. In addition, employees not essential
to correcting the emergency situation shall be restricted from the area and normal
operations halted in that area until the emergency is abated.
(i) Protective work clothing and equipment —(1) Provision and use. If an
employee is exposed to airborne cadmium above the PEL or where skin or eye
irritation is associated with cadmium exposure at any level, the employer shall
provide at no cost to the employee, and assure that the employee uses, appropriate
protective work clothing and equipment that prevents contamination of the
employee and the employee's garments. Protective work clothing and equipment

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includes, but is not limited to:
(i) Coveralls or similar full-body work clothing;
(ii) Gloves, head coverings, and boots or foot coverings; and
(iii) Face shields, vented goggles, or other appropriate protective equipment that
complies with 29 CFR 1910.133.
(2) Removal and storage. (i) The employer shall assure that employees remove all
protective clothing and equipment contaminated with cadmium at the completion of
the work shift and do so only in change rooms provided in accordance with
paragraph (j)(1) of this section.
(ii) The employer shall assure that no employee takes cadmium-contaminated
protective clothing or equipment from the workplace, except for employees
authorized to do so for purposes of laundering, cleaning, maintaining, or disposing
of cadmium-contaminated protective clothing and equipment at an appropriate
location or facility away from the workplace.
(iii) The employer shall assure that contaminated protective clothing and
equipment, when removed for laundering, cleaning, maintenance, or disposal, is
placed and stored in sealed, impermeable bags or other closed, impermeable
containers that are designed to prevent dispersion of cadmium dust.
(iv) The employer shall assure that containers of contaminated protective clothing
and equipment that are to be taken out of the change rooms or the workplace for
laundering, cleaning, maintenance or disposal shall bear labels in accordance with
paragraph (m)(2) of this section.
(3) Cleaning, replacement, and disposal. (i) The employer shall provide the
protective clothing and equipment required by paragraph (i)(1) of this section in a
clean and dry condition as often as necessary to maintain its effectiveness, but in
any event at least weekly. The employer is responsible for cleaning and laundering
the protective clothing and equipment required by this paragraph to maintain its
effectiveness and is also responsible for disposing of such clothing and equipment.
(ii) The employer also is responsible for repairing or replacing required protective
clothing and equipment as needed to maintain its effectiveness. When rips or tears
are detected while an employee is working they shall be immediately mended, or
the worksuit shall be immediately replaced.
(iii) The employer shall prohibit the removal of cadmium from protective clothing
and equipment by blowing, shaking, or any other means that disperses cadmium
into the air.
(iv) The employer shall assure that any laundering of contaminated clothing or
cleaning of contaminated equipment in the workplace is done in a manner that
prevents the release of airborne cadmium in excess of the permissible exposure
limit prescribed in paragraph (c) of this section.
(v) The employer shall inform any person who launders or cleans protective
clothing or equipment contaminated with cadmium of the potentially harmful
effects of exposure to cadmium, and that the clothing and equipment should be
laundered or cleaned in a manner to effectively prevent the release of airborne

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cadmium in excess of the PEL.
(j) Hygiene areas and practices —(1) General. For employees whose airborne
exposure to cadmium is above the PEL, the employer shall provide clean change
rooms, handwashing facilities, showers, and lunchroom facilities that comply with
29 CFR 1926.51.
(2) Change rooms. The employer shall assure that change rooms are equipped with
separate storage facilities for street clothes and for protective clothing and
equipment, which are designed to prevent dispersion of cadmium and
contamination of the employee's street clothes.
(3) Showers and handwashing facilities. (i) The employer shall assure that
employees whose airborne exposure to cadmium is above the PEL shower during
the end of the work shift.
(ii) The employer shall assure that employees who are exposed to cadmium above
the PEL wash their hands and faces prior to eating, drinking, smoking, chewing
tobacco or gum, or applying cosmetics.
(4) Lunchroom facilities. (i) The employer shall assure that the lunchroom facilities
are readily accessible to employees, that tables for eating are maintained free of
cadmium, and that no employee in a lunchroom facility is exposed at any time to
cadmium at or above a concentration of 2.5 µg/m 3 .
(ii) The employer shall assure that employees do not enter lunchroom facilities with
protective work clothing or equipment unless surface cadmium has been removed
from the clothing and equipment by HEPA vacuuming or some other method that
removes cadmium dust without dispersing it.
(k) Housekeeping. (1) All surfaces shall be maintained as free as practicable of
accumulations of cadmium.
(2) All spills and sudden releases of material containing cadmium shall be cleaned
up as soon as possible.
(3) Surfaces contaminated with cadmium shall, wherever possible, be cleaned by
vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of cadmium becoming
airborne.
(4) HEPA-filtered vacuuming equipment or equally effective filtration methods
shall be used for vacuuming. The equipment shall be used and emptied in a manner
that minimizes the reentry of cadmium into the workplace.
(5) Shoveling, dry or wet sweeping, and brushing may be used only where
vacuuming or other methods that minimize the likelihood of cadmium becoming
airborne have been tried and found not to be effective.
(6) Compressed air shall not be used to remove cadmium from any surface unless
the compressed air is used in conjunction with a ventilation system designed to
capture the dust cloud created by the compressed air.
(7) Waste, scrap, debris, bags, containers, personal protective equipment, and
clothing contaminated with cadmium and consigned for disposal shall be collected
and disposed of in sealed impermeable bags or other closed, impermeable
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containers. These bags and containers shall be labeled in accordance with
paragraph (m)(2) of this section.
(l) Medical Surveillance —(1) General —(i) Scope —(A) Currently exposed —The
employer shall institute a medical surveillance program for all employees who are
or may be exposed at or above the action level and all employees who perform the
following tasks, operations or jobs: Electrical grounding with cadmium welding;
cutting, brazing, burning, grinding or welding on surfaces that were painted with
cadmium-containing paints; electrical work using cadmium-coated conduit; use of
cadmium containing paints; cutting and welding cadmium-plated steel; brazing or
welding with cadmium alloys; fusing of reinforced steel by cadmium welding;
maintaining or retrofitting cadmium-coated equipment; and, wrecking and
demolition where cadmium is present. A medical surveillance program will not be
required if the employer demonstrates that the employee:
( 1 ) Is not currently exposed by the employer to airborne concentrations of
cadmium at or above the action level on 30 or more days per year (twelve
consecutive months); and,
( 2 ) Is not currently exposed by the employer in those tasks on 30 or more days per
year (twelve consecutive months).
(B) Previously exposed— The employer shall also institute a medical surveillance
program for all employees who might previously have been exposed to cadmium
by the employer prior to the effective date of this standard in tasks specified under
paragraph (l)(1)(i)(A) of this section, unless the employer demonstrates that the
employee did not in the years prior to the effective date of this section work in
those tasks for the employer with exposure to cadmium for an aggregated total of
more than 12 months.
(ii) To determine an employee's fitness for using a respirator, the employer shall
provide the limited medical examination specified in paragraph (l)(6) of this
section.
(iii) The employer shall assure that all medical examinations and procedures
required by this section are performed by or under the supervision of a licensed
physician, who has read and is familiar with the health effects section of appendix
A to this section, the regulatory text of this section, the protocol for sample
handling and lab selection in appendix F to this section, and the questionnaire of
appendix D to this section.
(iv) The employer shall provide the medical surveillance required by this section,
including multiple physician review under paragraph (l)(13) of this section without
cost to employees, and at a time and place that is reasonable and convenient to
employees.
(v) The employer shall assure that the collecting and handling of biological samples
of cadmium in urine (CdU), cadmium in blood (CdB), and beta-2 microglobulin in
urine (ß 2 -M) taken from employees under this section is done in a manner that
assures their reliability and that analysis of biological samples of cadmium in urine
(CdU), cadmium in blood (CdB), and beta-2 microglobulin in urine (ß 2 -M) taken
from employees under this section is performed in laboratories with demonstrated
proficiency to perform the particular analysis. (See appendix F to this section.)

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(2) Initial Examination. (i) For employees covered by medical surveillance under
paragraph (l)(1)(i) of this section, the employer shall provide an initial medical
examination. The examination shall be provided to those employees within 30 days
after initial assignment to a job with exposure to cadmium or no later than 90 days
after the effective date of this section, whichever date is later.
(ii) The initial medical examination shall include:
(A) A detailed medical and work history, with emphasis on: Past, present, and
anticipated future exposure to cadmium; any history of renal, cardiovascular,
respiratory, hematopoietic, reproductive, and/or musculo-skeletal system
dysfunction; current usage of medication with potential nephrotoxic side-effects;
and smoking history and current status; and
(B) Biological monitoring that includes the following tests:
( 1 ) Cadmium in urine (CdU), standardized to grams of creatinine (g/Cr);
( 2 ) Beta-2 microglobulin in urine (ß 2 -M), standardized to grams of creatinine
(g/Cr), with pH specified, as described in appendix F to this section; and
( 3 ) Cadmium in blood (CdB), standardized to liters of whole blood (lwb).
(iii) Recent Examination: An initial examination is not required to be provided if
adequate records show that the employee has been examined in accordance with
the requirements of paragraph (l)(2)(ii) of this section within the past 12 months. In
that case, such records shall be maintained as part of the employee's medical record
and the prior exam shall be treated as if it were an initial examination for the
purposes of paragraphs (l)(3) and (4) of this section.
(3) Actions triggered by initial biological monitoring. (i) If the results of the
biological monitoring tests in the initial examination show the employee's CdU
level to be at or below 3 µg/g Cr, ß2 -M level to be at or below 300 µg/g Cr and
CdB level to be at or below 5 µg/lwb, then:
(A) For employees who are subject to medical surveillance under paragraphs
(l)(1)(i)(A) of this section because of current or anticipated exposure to cadmium,
the employer shall provide the minimum level of periodic medical surveillance in
accordance with the requirements in paragraph (l)(4)(i) of this section; and
(B) For employees who are subject to medical surveillance under paragraph
(l)(1)(i)(B) of this section because of prior but not current exposure, the employer
shall provide biological monitoring for CdU, B2 -M, and CdB one year after the
initial biological monitoring and then the employer shall comply with the
requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(vi) of this section.
(ii) For all employees who are subject to medical surveillance under paragraph
(l)(1)(i) of this section, if the results of the initial biological monitoring tests show
the level of CdU to exceed 3 µg/g Cr, the level of ß2 -M to be in excess of 300 µg/g
Cr, or the level of CdB to be in excess of 5 µg/lwb, the employer shall:
(A) Within two weeks after receipt of biological monitoring results, reassess the
employee's occupational exposure to cadmium as follows:

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( 1 ) Reassess the employee's work practices and personal hygiene;
( 2 ) Reevaluate the employee's respirator use, if any, and the respirator program;
( 3 ) Review the hygiene facilities;
( 4 ) Reevaluate the maintenance and effectiveness of the relevant engineering
controls;
( 5 ) Assess the employee's smoking history and status;
(B) Within 30 days after the exposure reassessment, specified in paragraph
(l)(3)(ii)(A) of this section, take reasonable steps to correct any deficiencies found
in the reassessment that may be responsible for the employee's excess exposure to
cadmium; and,
(C) Within 90 days after receipt of biological monitoring results, provide a full
medical examination to the employee in accordance with the requirements of
paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this section. After completing the medical examination, the
examining physician shall determine in a written medical opinion whether to
medically remove the employee. If the physician determines that medical removal
is not necessary, then until the employee's CdU level falls to or below 3 µg/g Cr,
ß2 -M level falls to or below 300 µg/g Cr and CdB level falls to or below 5 µg/lwb,
the employer shall:
( 1 ) Provide biological monitoring in accordance with paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of
this section on a semiannual basis; and
( 2 ) Provide annual medical examinations in accordance with paragraph (l)(4)(ii)
of this section.
(iii) For all employees who are subject to medical surveillance under paragraph
(l)(1)(i) of this section, if the results of the initial biological monitoring tests show
the level of CdU to be in excess of 15 µg/g Cr, or the level of CdB to be in excess
of 15 µg/lwb, or the level of ß2 -M to be in excess of 1,500 µg/g Cr, the employer
shall comply with the requirements of paragraphs (l)(3)(ii)(A)–(B) of this section.
Within 90 days after receipt of biological monitoring results, the employer shall
provide a full medical examination to the employee in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this section. After completing the medical
examination, the examining physician shall determine in a written medical opinion
whether to medically remove the employee. However, if the initial biological
monitoring results and the biological monitoring results obtained during the
medical examination both show that: CdU exceeds 15 µg/g Cr; or CdB exceeds 15
µg/lwb; or ß2 -M exceeds 1500 µg/g Cr, and in addition CdU exceeds 3 µg/g Cr or
CdB exceeds 5 µg/liter of whole blood, then the physician shall medically remove
the employee from exposure to cadmium at or above the action level. If the second
set of biological monitoring results obtained during the medical examination does
not show that a mandatory removal trigger level has been exceeded, then the
employee is not required to be removed by the mandatory provisions of this
paragraph. If the employee is not required to be removed by the mandatory
provisions of this paragraph or by the physician's determination, then until the
employee's CdU level falls to or below 3 µg/g Cr, ß2 -M level falls to or below 300
µg/g Cr and CdB level falls to or below 5 µg/lwb, the employer shall:

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(A) Periodically reassess the employee's occupational exposure to cadmium;
(B) Provide biological monitoring in accordance with paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of this
section on a quarterly basis; and
(C) Provide semiannual medical examinations in accordance with paragraph
(l)(4)(ii) of this section.
(iv) For all employees to whom medical surveillance is provided, beginning on
January 1, 1999, and in lieu of paragraph (l)(3)(iii) of this section, whenever the
results of initial biological monitoring tests show the employee's CdU level to be in
excess of 7 µg/g Cr, or ß2 -M level to be in excess of 750 µg/g Cr, or CdB level to
be in excess of 10 µg/lwb, the employer shall comply with the requirements of
paragraphs (l)(3)(ii)(A)–(B) of this section. Within 90 days after receipt of
biological monitoring results, the employer shall provide a full medical
examination to the employee in accordance with the requirements of paragraph
(l)(4)(ii) of this section. After completing the medical examination, the examining
physician shall determine in a written medical opinion whether to medically
remove the employee. However, if the initial biological monitoring results and the
biological monitoring results obtained during the medical examination both show
that: CdU exceeds 7 µg/g Cr; or CdB exceeds 10 µg/lwb; or ß2 -M exceeds 750
µg/g Cr, and in addition CdU exceeds 3 µg/g Cr or CdB exceeds 5 µg/liter of
whole blood, then the physician shall medically remove the employee from
exposure to cadmium at or above the action level. If the second set of biological
monitoring results obtained during the medical examination does not show that a
mandatory removal trigger level has been exceeded, then the employee is not
required to be removed by the mandatory provisions of this paragraph. If the
employee is not required to be removed by the mandatory provisions of this
paragraph or by the physician's determination, then until the employee's CdU level
falls to or below 3 µg/g Cr, ß2 -M level falls to or below 300 µg/g Cr and CdB
level falls to or below 5 µg/lwb, the employer shall:
(A) Periodically reassess the employee's occupational exposure to cadmium;
(B) Provide biological monitoring in accordance with paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of this
section on a quarterly basis; and
(C) Provide semiannual medical examinations in accordance with paragraph
(l)(4)(ii) of this section.
(4) Periodic medical surveillance. (i) For each employee who is covered by
medical surveillance under paragraph (l)(1)(i)(A) of this section because of current
or anticipated exposure to cadmium, the employer shall provide at least the
minimum level of periodic medical surveillance, which consists of periodic
medical examinations and periodic biological monitoring. A periodic medical
examination shall be provided within one year after the initial examination required
by paragraph (l)(2) of this section and thereafter at least biennially. Biological
sampling shall be provided at least annually either as part of a periodic medical
examination or separately as periodic biological monitoring.
(ii) The periodic medical examination shall include:
(A) A detailed medical and work history, or update thereof, with emphasis on: Past,
present and anticipated future exposure to cadmium; smoking history and current

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status; reproductive history; current use of medications with potential nephrotoxic
side-effects; any history of renal, cardiovascular, respiratory, hematopoietic, and/or
musculo-skeletal system dysfunction; and as part of the medical and work history,
for employees who wear respirators, questions 3–11 and 25–32 in appendix D to
this section;
(B) A complete physical examination with emphasis on: blood pressure, the
respiratory system, and the urinary system;
(C) A 14 inch by 17 inch, or a reasonably standard sized posterior-anterior chest Xray (after the initial X-ray, the frequency of chest X-rays is to be determined by the
examining physician);
(D) Pulmonary function tests, including forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced
expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1);
(E) Biological monitoring, as required in paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of this section;
(F) Blood analysis, in addition to the analysis required under paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B)
of this section, including blood urea nitrogen, complete blood count, and serum
creatinine;
(G) Urinalysis, in addition to the analysis required under paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of
this section, including the determination of albumin, glucose, and total and low
molecular weight proteins;
(H) For males over 40 years old, prostate palpation, or other at least as effective
diagnostic test(s), and;
(I) Any additional tests or procedures deemed appropriate by the examining
physician.
(iii) Periodic biological monitoring shall be provided in accordance with paragraph
(l)(2)(ii)(B) of this section.
(iv) If the results of periodic biological monitoring or the results of biological
monitoring performed as part of the periodic medical examination show the level
of the employee's CdU, ß2 –M, or CdB to be in excess of the levels specified in
paragraphs (l)(3)(ii) or (iii) of this section; or beginning on January 1, 1999, in
excess of the levels specified in paragraphs (l)(3)(ii) or (iv), the employer shall take
the appropriate actions specified in paragraphs (l)(3)(ii)–(iv) of this section,
respectively.
(v) For previously exposed employees under paragraph (l)(1)(i)(B) of this section:
(A) If the employee's levels of CdU did not exceed 3 µg/g Cr, CdB did not exceed
5 µg/lwb, and ß2 –M did not exceed 300 µg/g Cr in the initial biological monitoring
tests, and if the results of the followup biological monitoring required by paragraph
(l)(3)(i)(B) of this section one year after the initial examination confirm the
previous results, the employer may discontinue all periodic medical surveillance for
that employee.
(B) If the initial biological monitoring results for CdU, CdB, or ß2 –M were in
excess of the levels specified in paragraph (l)(3)(i) of this section, but subsequent

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biological monitoring results required by paragraph (l)(3)(ii)–(iv) of this section
show that the employee's CdU levels no longer exceed 3 µg/g Cr, CdB levels no
longer exceed 5 µg/lwb, and ß2 –M levels no longer exceed 300 µg/g Cr, the
employer shall provide biological monitoring for CdU, CdB, and ß2 –M one year
after these most recent biological monitoring results. If the results of the followup
biological monitoring specified in this paragraph, confirm the previous results, the
employer may discontinue all periodic medical surveillance for that employee.
(C) However, if the results of the follow-up tests specified in paragraph (l)(4)(v)(A)
or (B) of this section indicate that the level of the employee's CdU, ß2 –M, or CdB
exceeds these same levels, the employer is required to provide annual medical
examinations in accordance with the provisions of paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this
section until the results of biological monitoring are consistently below these levels
or the examining physician determines in a written medical opinion that further
medical surveillance is not required to protect the employee's health.
(vi) A routine, biennial medical examination is not required to be provided in
accordance with paragraphs (l)(3)(i) and (l)(4) of this section if adequate medical
records show that the employee has been examined in accordance with the
requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this section within the past 12 months. In
that case, such records shall be maintained by the employer as part of the
employee's medical record, and the next routine, periodic medical examination
shall be made available to the employee within two years of the previous
examination.
(5) Actions triggered by medical examinations. (i) If the results of a medical
examination carried out in accordance with this section indicate any laboratory or
clinical finding consistent with cadmium toxicity that does not require employer
action under paragraphs (l)(2), (3) or (4) of this section, the employer shall take the
following steps and continue to take them until the physician determines that they
are no longer necessary.
(A) Periodically reassess: The employee's work practices and personal hygiene; the
employee's respirator use, if any; the employee's smoking history and status; the
respiratory protection program; the hygiene facilities; the maintenance and
effectiveness of the relevant engineering controls; and take all reasonable steps to
correct the deficiencies found in the reassessment that may be responsible for the
employee's excess exposure to cadmium.
(B) Provide semi-annual medical reexaminations to evaluate the abnormal clinical
sign(s) of cadmium toxicity until the results are normal or the employee is
medically removed; and
(C) Where the results of tests for total proteins in urine are abnormal, provide a
more detailed medical evaluation of the toxic effects of cadmium on the employee's
renal system.
(6) Examination for respirator use. (i) To determine an employee's fitness for
respirator use, the employer shall provide a medical examination that includes the
elements specified in paragraph (l)(6)(i)(A)–(D) of this section. This examination
shall be provided prior to the employee's being assigned to a job that requires the
use of a respirator or no later than 90 days after this section goes into effect,
whichever date is later, to any employee without a medical examination within the
preceding 12 months that satisfies the requirements of this paragraph.
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(A) A detailed medical and work history, or update thereof, with emphasis on: past
exposure to cadmium; smoking history and current status; any history of renal,
cardiovascular, respiratory, hematopoietic, and/or musculo-skeletal system
dysfunction; a description of the job for which the respirator is required; and
questions 3–11 and 25–32 in appendix D;
(B) A blood pressure test;
(C) Biological monitoring of the employee's levels of CdU, CdB and ß2 –M in
accordance with the requirements of paragraph (l)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, unless
such results already have been obtained within the twelve months; and
(D) Any other test or precedure that the examining physician deems appropriate.
(ii) After reviewing all the information obtained from the medical examination
required in paragraph (l)(6)(i) of this section, the physician shall determine whether
the employee is fit to wear a respirator.
(iii) Whenever an employee has exhibited difficulty in breathing during a respirator
fit test or during use of a respirator, the employer, as soon as possible, shall
provide the employee with a periodic medical examination in accordance with
paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this section to determine the employee's fitness to wear a
respirator.
(iv) Where the results of the examination required under paragraphs (l)(6)(i), (ii),
or (iii) of this section are abnormal, medical limitation or prohibition of respirator
use shall be considered. If the employee is allowed to wear a respirator, the
employee's ability to continue to do so shall be periodically evaluated by a
physician.
(7) Emergency Examinations. (i) In addition to the medical surveillance required in
paragraphs (l)(2)–(6) of this section, the employer shall provide a medical
examination as soon as possible to any employee who may have been acutely
exposed to cadmium because of an emergency.
(ii) The examination shall include the requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(ii), of this
section, with emphasis on the respiratory system, other organ systems considered
appropriate by the examining physician, and symptoms of acute overexposure, as
identified in paragraphs II(B)(1)–(2) and IV of appendix A of this section.
(8) Termination of employment examination. (i) At termination of employment, the
employer shall provide a medical examination in accordance with paragraph
(l)(4)(ii) of this section, including a chest X-ray where necessary, to any employee
to whom at any prior time the employer was required to provide medical
surveillance under paragraph (l)(1)(i) or (l)(7) of this section. However, if the last
examination satisfied the requirements of paragraph (l)(4)(ii) of this section and
was less than six months prior to the date of termination, no further examination is
required unless otherwise specified in paragraph (l)(3) or (l)(5) of this section;
(ii) In addition, if the employer has discontinued all periodic medical surveillance
under paragraph (l)(4)(v) of this section, no termination of employment medical
examination is required.
(9) Information provided to the physician. The employer shall provide the
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following information to the examining physician:
(i) A copy of this standard and appendices;
(ii) A description of the affected employee's former, current, and anticipated duties
as they relate to the employee's occupational exposure to cadmium;
(iii) The employee's former, current, and anticipated future levels of occupational
exposure to cadmium;
(iv) A description of any personal protective equipment, including respirators, used
or to be used by the employee, including when and for how long the employee has
used that equipment; and
(v) Relevant results of previous biological monitoring and medical examinations.
(10) Physician's written medical opinion. (i) The employer shall promptly obtain a
written, medical opinion from the examining physician for each medical
examination performed on each employee. This written opinion shall contain:
(A) The physician's diagnosis for the employee;
(B) The physician's opinion as to whether the employee has any detected medical
condition(s) that would place the employee at increased risk of material impairment
to health from further exposure to cadmium, including any indications of potential
cadmium toxicity;
(C) The results of any biological or other testing or related evaluations that directly
assess the employee's absorption of cadmium;
(D) Any recommended removal from, or limitation on the activities or duties of the
employee or on the employee's use of personal protective equipment, such as
respirators;
(E) A statement that the physician has clearly and carefully explained to the
employee the results of the medical examination, including all biological
monitoring results and any medical conditions related to cadmium exposure that
require further evaluation or treatment, and any limitation on the employee's diet or
use of medications.
(ii) The employer shall promptly obtain a copy of the results of any biological
monitoring provided by an employer to an employee independently of a medical
examination under paragraphs (l)(2) and (l)(4) of this section, and, in lieu of a
written medical opinion, an explanation sheet explaining those results.
(iii) The employer shall instruct the physician not to reveal orally or in the written
medical opinion given to the employer specific findings or diagnoses unrelated to
occupational exposure to cadmium.
(11) Medical Removal Protection (MRP) —(i) General. (A) The employer shall
temporarily remove an employee from work where there is excess exposure to
cadmium on each occasion that medical removal is required under paragraphs
(l)(3), (l)(4), or (l)(6) of this section and on each occasion that a physician
determines in a written medical opinion that the employee should be removed from
such exposure. The physician's determination may be based on biological

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monitoring results, inability to wear a respirator, evidence of illness, other signs or
symptoms of cadmium-related dysfunction or disease, or any other reason deemed
medically sufficient by the physician.
(B) The employer shall medically remove an employee in accordance with
paragraph (l)(11) of this section regardless of whether at the time of removal a job
is available into which the removed employee may be transferred.
(C) Whenever an employee is medically removed under paragraph (l)(11) of this
section, the employer shall transfer the removed employee to a job where the
exposure to cadmium is within the permissible levels specified in that paragraph as
soon as one becomes available.
(D) For any employee who is medically removed under the provisions of paragraph
(l)(11)(i) of this section, the employer shall provide follow-up medical
examinations semi-annually until, in a written medical opinion, the examining
physician determines that either the employee may be returned to his/her former
job status or the employee must be permanently removed from excess cadmium
exposure.
(E) The employer may not return an employee who has been medically removed
for any reason to his/her former job status until a physician determines in a written
medical opinion that continued medical removal is no longer necessary to protect
the employee's health.
(ii) Where an employee is found unfit to wear a respirator under paragraph
(l)(6)(ii) of this section, the employer shall remove the employee from work where
exposure to cadmium is above the PEL.
(iii) Where removal is based upon any reason other than the employee's inability to
wear a respirator, the employer shall remove the employee from work where
exposure to cadmium is at or above the action level.
(iv) Except as specified in paragraph (l)(11)(v) of this section, no employee who
was removed because his/her level of CdU, CdB and/or ß2 –M exceeded the trigger
levels in paragraph (l)(3) or (l)(4) of this section may be returned to work with
exposure to cadmium at or above the action level until the employee's levels of
CdU fall to or below 3 µg/g Cr, CdB fall to or below 5 µg/lwb, and ß2 –M fall to or
below 300 µg/g Cr.
(v) However, when in the examining physician's opinion continued exposure to
cadmium will not pose an increased risk to the employee's health and there are
special circumstances that make continued medical removal an inappropriate
remedy, the physician shall fully discuss these matters with the employee, and then
in a written determination may return a worker to his/her former job status despite
what would otherwise be unacceptably high biological monitoring results.
Thereafter and until such time as the employee's biological monitoring results have
decreased to levels where he/she could have been returned to his/her former job
status, the returned employee shall continue medical surveillance as if he/she were
still on medical removal. Until such time, the employee is no longer subject to
mandatory medical removal. Subsequent questions regarding the employee's
medical removal shall be decided solely by a final medical determination.
(vi) Where an employer, although not required by this section to do so, removes an

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employee from exposure to cadmium or otherwise places limitations on an
employee due to the effects of cadmium exposure on the employee's medical
condition, the employer shall provide the same medical removal protection benefits
to that employee under paragraph (l)(12) of this section as would have been
provided had the removal been required under paragraph (l)(11) of this section.
(12) Medical removal protection benefits. (i) The employer shall provide medical
removal protection benefits to an employee for up to a maximum of 18 months
each time, and while the employee is temporarily medically removed under
paragraph (l)(11) of this section.
(ii) For purposes of this section, the requirement that the employer provide medical
removal protection benefits means that the employer shall maintain the total normal
earnings, seniority, and all other employee rights and benefits of the removed
employee, including the employee's right to his/her former job status, as if the
employee had not been removed from the employee's job or otherwise medically
limited.
(iii) Where, after 18 months on medical removal because of elevated biological
monitoring results, the employee's monitoring results have not declined to a low
enough level to permit the employee to be returned to his/her former job status:
(A) The employer shall make available to the employee a medical examination
pursuant to this section in order to obtain a final medical determination as to
whether the employee may be returned to his/her former job status or must be
permanently removed from excess cadmium exposure; and
(B) The employer shall assure that the final medical determination indicates
whether the employee may be returned to his/her former job status and what steps,
if any, should be taken to protect the employee's health;
(iv) The employer may condition the provision of medical removal protection
benefits upon the employee's participation in medical surveillance provided in
accordance with this section.
(13) Multiple physician review. (i) If the employer selects the initial physician to
conduct any medical examination or consultation provided to an employee under
this section, the employee may designate a second physician to:
(A) Review any findings, determinations, or recommendations of the initial
physician; and
(B) Conduct such examinations, consultations, and laboratory tests as the second
physician deems necessary to facilitate this review.
(ii) The employer shall promptly notify an employee of the right to seek a second
medical opinion after each occasion that an initial physician provided by the
employer conducts a medical examination or consultation pursuant to this section.
The employer may condition its participation in, and payment for, multiple
physician review upon the employee doing the following within fifteen (15) days
after receipt of this notice, or receipt of the initial physician's written opinion,
whichever is later:
(A) Informing the employer that he or she intends to seek a medical opinion; and

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(B) Initiating steps to make an appointment with a second physician.
(iii) If the findings, determinations, or recommendations of the second physician
differ from those of the initial physician, then the employer and the employee shall
assure that efforts are made for the two physicians to resolve any disagreement.
(iv) If the two physicians have been unable to quickly resolve their disagreement,
then the employer and the employee, through their respective physicians, shall
designate a third physician to:
(A) Review any findings, determinations, or recommendations of the other two
physicians; and
(B) Conduct such examinations, consultations, laboratory tests, and discussions
with the other two physicians as the third physician deems necessary to resolve the
disagreement among them.
(v) The employer shall act consistently with the findings, determinations, and
recommendations of the third physician, unless the employer and the employee
reach an agreement that is consistent with the recommendations of at least one of
the other two physicians.
(14) Alternate physician determination. The employer and an employee or
designated employee representative may agree upon the use of any alternate form
of physician determination in lieu of the multiple physician review provided by
paragraph (l)(13) of this section, so long as the alternative is expeditious and at
least as protective of the employee.
(15) Information the employer must provide the employee. (i) The employer shall
provide a copy of the physician's written medical opinion to the examined
employee within five working days after receipt thereof.
(ii) The employer shall provide the employee with a copy of the employee's
biological monitoring results and an explanation sheet explaining the results within
five working days after receipt thereof.
(iii) Within 30 days after a request by an employee, the employer shall provide the
employee with the information the employer is required to provide the examining
physician under paragraph (l)(9) of this section.
(16) Reporting. In addition to other medical events that are required to be reported
on the OSHA Form No. 200, the employer shall report any abnormal condition or
disorder caused by occupational exposure to cadmium associated with employment
as specified in Chapter (V)(E) of the Reporting Guidelines for Occupational
Injuries and Illnesses.
(m) Communication of cadmium hazards to employees —(1) General. In
communications concerning cadmium hazards, employers shall comply with the
requirements of OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard for the construction
industry, 29 CFR 1926.59, including but not limited to the requirements concerning
warning signs and labels, material safety data sheets (MSDS), and employee
information and training. In addition, employers shall comply with the following
requirements:
(2) Warning signs. (i) Warning signs shall be provided and displayed in regulated

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areas. In addition, warning signs shall be posted at all approaches to regulated areas
so that an employee may read the signs and take necessary protective steps before
entering the area.
(ii) Warning signs required by paragraph (m)(2)(i) of this section shall bear the
following information:
Danger, Cadmium, Cancer Hazard, Can Cause Lung and Kidney Disease,
Authorized Personnel Only, Respirators Required in This Area
(iii) The employer shall assure that signs required by this paragraph are illuminated,
cleaned, and maintained as necessary so that the legend is readily visible.
(3) Warning labels. (i) Shipping and storage containers containing cadmium,
cadmium compounds, or cadmium contaminated clothing, equipment, waste, scrap,
or debris shall bear appropriate warning labels, as specified in paragraph (m)(3)(ii)
of this section.
(ii) The warning labels shall shall include at least the following information:
Danger, Contains Cadmium, Cancer Hazard, Avoid Creating Dust, Can Cause
Lung and Kidney Disease
(iii) Where feasible, installed cadmium products shall have a visible label or other
indication that cadmium is present.
(4) Employee information and training. (i) The employer shall train each employee
who is potentially exposed to cadmium in accordance with the requirements of this
section. The employer shall institute a training program, ensure employee
participation in the program, and maintain a record of the contents of the training
program.
(ii) Training shall be provided prior to or at the time of initial assignment to a job
involving potential exposure to cadmium and at least annually thereafter.
(iii) The employer shall make the training program understandable to the employee
and shall assure that each employee is informed of the following:
(A) The health hazards associated with cadmium exposure, with special attention to
the information incorporated in appendix A to this section;
(B) The quantity, location, manner of use, release, and storage of cadmium in the
workplace and the specific nature of operations that could result in exposure to
cadmium, especially exposures above the PEL;
(C) The engineering controls and work practices associated with the employee's job
assignment;
(D) The measures employees can take to protect themselves from exposure to
cadmium, including modification of such habits as smoking and personal hygiene,
and specific procedures the employer has implemented to protect employees from
exposure to cadmium such as appropriate work practices, emergency procedures,
and the provision of personal protective equipment;
(E) The purpose, proper selection, fitting, proper use, and limitations of respirators

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and protective clothing;
(F) The purpose and a description of the medical surveillance program required by
paragraph (l) of this section;
(G) The contents of this section and its appendices, and,
(H) The employee's rights of access to records under §1926.33(g) (1) and (2).
(iv) Additional access to information and training program and materials.
(A) The employer shall make a copy of this section and its appendices readily
available to all affected employees and shall provide a copy without cost if
requested.
(B) Upon request, the employer shall provide to the Assistant Secretary or the
Director all materials relating to the employee information and the training
program.
(5) Multi-employer workplace. In a multi-employer workplace, an employer who
produces, uses, or stores cadmium in a manner that may expose employees of other
employers to cadmium shall notify those employers of the potential hazard in
accordance with paragraph (e) of the hazard communication standard for
construction, 29 CFR 1926.59.
(n) Recordkeeping —(1) Exposure monitoring. (i) The employer shall establish and
keep an accurate record of all air monitoring for cadmium in the workplace.
(ii) This record shall include at least the following information:
(A) The monitoring date, shift, duration, air volume, and results in terms of an 8hour TWA of each sample taken, and if cadmium is not detected, the detection
level;
(B) The name, social security number, and job classification of all employees
monitored and of all other employees whose exposures the monitoring result is
intended to represent, including, where applicable, a description of how it was
determined that the employee's monitoring result could be taken to represent other
employee's exposures;
(C) A description of the sampling and analytical methods used and evidence of
their accuracy;
(D) The type of respiratory protective device, if any, worn by the monitored
employee and by any other employee whose exposure the monitoring result is
intended to represent;
(E) A notation of any other conditions that might have affected the monitoring
results.
(F) Any exposure monitoring or objective data that were used and the levels.
(iii) The employer shall maintain this record for at least thirty (30) years, in
accordance with §1926.33 of this part.
(iv) The employer shall also provide a copy of the results of an employee's air
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monitoring prescribed in paragraph (d) of this section to an industry trade
association and to the employee's union, if any, or, if either of such associations or
unions do not exist, to another comparable organization that is competent to
maintain such records and is reasonably accessible to employers and employees in
the industry.
(2) Objective data for exemption from requirement for initial monitoring. (i) For
purposes of this section, objective data are information demonstrating that a
particular product or material containing cadmium or a specific process, operation,
or activity involving cadmium cannot release dust or fumes in concentrations at or
above the action level even under the worst-case release conditions. Objective data
can be obtained from an industry-wide study or from laboratory product test results
from manufacturers of cadmium-containing products or materials. The data the
employer uses from an industry-wide survey must be obtained under workplace
conditions closely resembling the processes, types of material, control methods,
work practices and environmental conditions in the employer's current operations.
(ii) The employer shall maintain the record for at least 30 years of the objective
data relied upon.
(3) Medical surveillance. (i) The employer shall establish and maintain an accurate
record for each employee covered by medical surveillance under paragraph (l)(1)(i)
of this section.
(ii) The record shall include at least the following information about the employee:
(A) Name, social security number, and description of duties;
(B) A copy of the physician's written opinions and of the explanation sheets for
biological monitoring results;
(C) A copy of the medical history, and the results of any physical examination and
all test results that are required to be provided by this section, including biological
tests, X-rays, pulmonary function tests, etc., or that have been obtained to further
evaluate any condition that might be related to cadmium exposure;
(D) The employee's medical symptoms that might be related to exposure to
cadmium; and
(E) A copy of the information provided to the physician as required by paragraph
(l)(9) of this section.
(iii) The employer shall assure that this record is maintained for the duration of
employment plus thirty (30) years, in accordance with §1926.33 of this part.
(iv) At the employee's request, the employer shall promptly provide a copy of the
employee's medical record, or update as appropriate, to a medical doctor or a union
specified by the employee.
(4) Availability. (i) Except as otherwise provided for in this section, access to all
records required to be maintained by paragraphs (n)(1) through (3) of this section
shall be in accordance with the provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1020.
(ii) Within 15 days after a request, the employer shall make an employee's medical
records required to be kept by paragraph (n)(3) of this section available for

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examination and copying to the subject employee, to designated representatives, to
anyone having the specific written consent of the subject employee, and after the
employee's death or incapacitation, to the employee's family members.
(5) Transfer of records. Whenever an employer ceases to do business and there is
no successor employer or designated organization to receive and retain records for
the prescribed period, the employer shall comply with the requirements concerning
transfer of records set forth in §1926.33 (h) of this part.
(o) Observation of monitoring —(1) Employee observation. The employer shall
provide affected employees or their designated representatives an opportunity to
observe any monitoring of employee exposure to cadmium.
(2) Observation procedures. When observation of monitoring requires entry into an
area where the use of protective clothing or equipment is required, the employer
shall provide the observer with that clothing and equipment and shall assure that
the observer uses such clothing and equipment and complies with all other
applicable safety and health procedures.
(p) [Reserved]
(q) Appendices . Except where portions of appendices A, B, D, E, and F to this
section are expressly incorporated in requirements of this section, these appendices
are purely informational and are not intended to create any additional obligations
not otherwise imposed or to detract from any existing obligations.
Appendix A to §1926.1127—Substance Safety Data Sheet
Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this appendix A are identical to those set
forth in appendix A to §1910.1027 of this chapter.
Appendix B to §1926.1127—Substance Technical Guidelines for Cadmium
Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this appendix B are identical to those set
forth in appendix B to §1910.1027 of this chapter.
Appendix C to §1926.1127 [Reserved]
Appendix D to §1926.1127—Occupational Health History Interview With Reference to Cadmium
Exposure
Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this appendix D are identical to those set
forth in appendix D to §1910.1027 of this chapter.
Appendix E to §1926.1127—Cadmium in Workplace Atmospheres
Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this appendix E are identical to those set
forth in appendix E to §1910.1027 of this chapter.
Appendix F to §1926.1127—Nonmandatory Protocol for Biological Monitoring
Note: The requirements applicable to construction work under this appendix F are identical to those set
forth in appendix F to §1910.1027 of this chapter.

[57 FR 42452, Sept. 14, 1992, as amended at 57 FR 49272, Oct. 30, 1992; 58 FR
21787, Apr. 23, 1993. Redesignated and amended at 59 FR 215, Jan. 3, 1994; 61
FR 5510, Feb. 13, 1996; 61 FR 31433, 31434, June 20, 1996; 63 FR 1298, Jan. 8,
1998; 70 FR 1144, Jan. 5, 2005; 71 FR 16675, Apr. 3, 2006; 71 FR 50192, Aug. 24,
2006; 73 FR 75589, Dec. 12, 2008; 76 FR 33612, June 8, 2011]

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