What action must an employer take if an employee's BLL is greater than 50 ug/dl?

When an employee's blood lead level (BLL) exceeds 50 micrograms per deciliter (ug/dl), the appropriate action required by regulations focuses on the health and safety of the employee. This involves medical removal from lead exposure and ensuring that the employee undergoes regular monitoring of their blood lead levels, generally on a monthly basis.

This approach is in line with compliance protocols aimed at preventing further lead exposure and protecting the employee's health. The reason for requiring medical removal is to mitigate the risks associated with elevated lead levels, which can lead to serious health issues if left unaddressed. Monitoring the BLL on a regular basis allows for timely adjustments to the employee's work conditions and provides essential information for ensuring their safety.

The other options do not adequately address the serious nature of elevated blood lead levels and fail to provide a comprehensive protective measure for the employee. Immediate termination may be too drastic and not within the required protocol, while providing only an air filter mask does not sufficiently mitigate the risk of lead exposure. Limiting exposure for just one week is also inadequate as it does not address the ongoing risks associated with higher BLLs. Therefore, ensuring medical removal paired with consistent monitoring is the most effective and mandated course of action.