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... of Labor Program Highlights Fact Sheet No. OSHA 89-29 ACCESS TO EMPLOYEE EXPOSURE AND MEDICAL RECORDS SCOPE-Employers in general industry, the maritime, and construction industries must provide records access to all employees exposed to toxic substances and harmful physical agents, their union representatives, health personnel, and OSHA. The rule does not require creation of any records, only preservation. Access means the right to examine and copy records. ACCESS RULES-Records requests need not be in writing except where trade secrets are involved. Union and health professionals must have specific written consent to gain access to employees' personal medical records but may examine exposure records without such consent. However, they must state the specific record needed and the occupational health need for requesting the information. Health professionals include physicians, occupational health nurses, industrial hygienists, toxicologists, and epidemiologists who provide medical or other occupational health services to exposed employees. Employees have automatic access to their own exposure and medical records except where a physician representing the employer believes that direct employee access to certain information in the record could be detrimental to the employee's health. However, they have access to exposure records of others when these exposures represent their past or present exposure, or exposures represent their past or present exposure, or exposure where an employee is being assigned or transferred. Employers must provide records promptly, generally within 15 working days. They must provide a date for release of the information and an explanation of the delays should it take longer to process the request. Employers are to inform their workers initially and at least annually of their rights to access to medical and exposure ...