OSHA issues revised rules on employee medical records

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday issued revisions to its rules regarding access to employee medical records and internal procedures that federal personnel must follow when obtaining and using personally identifiable employee medical information.

OSHA has amended several provisions of the rules to improve efficiency in implementing these internal procedures. Included in the changes are that the OSHA medical records officer is responsible for determining the transfer and public disclosure of personally identifiable employee medical information in OSHA's possession.

The revised rules also clarify that a written medical access order does not constitute an administrative subpoena and establish new procedures for accessing and safeguarding personally identifiable employee medical information maintained in electronic form.