This monitoring is to be repeated at intervals specified in the OSHA Lead Standard. You may also be removed from lead exposure if you have a medical condition that could be worsened by exposure to lead. During your medical removal, your employer must pay you your regular earnings, and keep your seniority and other employment rights and benefits as though your work had not been changed. Medical removal can be continued for 18 months. In some very extreme cases of lead poisoning a doctor may recommend that you be chelated.
Chelation is a medical treatment to remove lead from the blood.
There are very serious potential side effects to this treatment, including kidney damage. Therefore, it should only be used in very serious cases and should never be used to routinely keep your blood lead level low. Your employer must provide a lunchroom separate from the work area, and facilities for washing. Your employer must install local exhaust ventilation or other engineering or work practice measures to limit your exposure so that it does not exceed the PEL, if feasible. You must also be given protective clothing and equipment, including coveralls, gloves, goggles or face shields and shoes.