In the U.S., how long are employers required to maintain their employees' medical records?

Employers in the U.S. are required to maintain their employees' medical records for the duration of employment plus an additional 30 years after employment ends. This requirement is primarily established under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, specifically those pertaining to the handling of medical records.

The rationale behind this lengthy retention period is to ensure that any potential health effects related to workplace exposures can be tracked and adequately addressed, even after an employee leaves the organization. The 30-year period allows for any long-term impacts of occupational exposure to be identified and for necessary medical follow-up or reporting to occur.

By keeping these records for such an extended time, there is a greater chance that any future health concerns can be linked back to their work history, facilitating better health outcomes and safety standards in the workplace. This requirement underscores the emphasis on health monitoring and the information governance related to employee well-being.