Exposure records for toxic substances or harmful physical agents must be kept for the duration of employment plus how long?

The requirement for retaining exposure records for toxic substances or harmful physical agents is based on regulations set forth by agencies such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). According to these regulations, exposure records must be maintained for the duration of an employee's employment plus an additional period of 30 years. This extended retention period is critical for ensuring that any long-term health effects related to exposure can be tracked and assessed, especially since some toxic agents can have delayed effects that may not manifest until years later.

This 30-year requirement serves to protect employees by providing a continuous historical record of exposure, which can be vital in instances where health issues arise long after their employment has ended. Thus, the importance of keeping these records for an extended time is rooted in health surveillance and occupational safety practices.