What is required before an employee can return to work after testing above the allowable blood lead level?

To return to work after testing above the allowable blood lead level, both tests must come back indicating a lower blood lead level than previously recorded. This requirement is in place to ensure that the employee is no longer at risk of lead exposure and to safeguard their health and safety in the workplace.

Testing twice provides a confirmation of the lowered lead levels and ensures that the initial high reading was not a temporary fluctuation due to various factors, such as recent exposure or body metabolism. This dual confirmation before the employee resumes work significantly reduces the chances of health-related issues stemming from lead exposure, which can have serious long-term effects.

Simply waiting for one test to return low would not sufficiently mitigate the risk, as lead can remain in the system for varying lengths of time and may not reflect ongoing exposure levels. Therefore, confirming with two sets of testing establishes a safer threshold for the employee's return to work.