ABSTRACT
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) record-keeping system is mandatory for all establishments subject to the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The records required by OSHA are used to compile statistics on occupational safety and health; to study the causes and prevention of occupational injury; and to inform employees about the work environment, its hazards, and their potential effects. The OSHA Laboratory Standard requires employers of laboratories to establish and maintain for every employee an accurate record of any actions to monitor employee exposures and any medical consultation and examinations including tests and written opinions. When an employer makes a trade secret claim, it must be made no later than at the time the information is given to the Assistant Secretary of Labor so that the necessary protection can be implemented. The standard gives employees and their representatives' access to their own medical records and to company records of exposure to hazardous conditions in the workplace.
