Asbestos Medicals FAQ

An asbestos medical is an occupational health examination required for certain workers under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It focuses on respiratory health and includes a specific examination of the chest. It is a form of medical surveillance, a way of monitoring the health of people who work with asbestos, rather than a diagnostic test for asbestos-related disease.

Where a worker carries out licensable or notifiable non-licensed asbestos work, the employer has a duty under regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 to ensure they are under adequate medical surveillance. Lower-risk non-notifiable work does not carry the same statutory medical surveillance duty.

The difference follows the type of work. Licensable work requires a medical at least every 2 years by an HSE-appointed doctor. Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) requires a medical at least every 3 years, which a wider group of registered doctors can perform. A licensed-work medical is accepted for non-licensed work, but not the other way around.

Medical surveillance applies to employees who carry out licensable asbestos work and to those undertaking notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW). It is the nature of the work activity, not a person's job title, that determines whether a statutory medical is required.

A self-employed person who carries out licensable or notifiable non-licensed asbestos work is subject to the same medical surveillance requirements as an employee doing that work, and is responsible for arranging their own examination.

Medicals for licensable work must be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor. Medicals for notifiable non-licensed work can be carried out by a relevant doctor, a suitably registered medical practitioner with a licence to practise, as well as by an HSE-appointed doctor.

A typical examination includes a review of medical and occupational history, a respiratory questionnaire, a lung function (breathing) test and a specific examination of the chest. The regulations require a chest examination; any additional laboratory tests or X-rays are carried out only where the examining doctor considers them necessary.

A chest X-ray is not a routine part of a standard asbestos medical. HSE does not advocate routine X-rays for medical surveillance, and the regulations leave any X-ray or laboratory test to the discretion of the examining doctor, who may arrange one only if there is a clinical reason to do so.

Appointment times vary between providers and depend on the examination required. As a general guide, an occupational asbestos medical is a focused appointment covering history, a lung function test and a chest examination. Confirm the appointment length when you book.

After the examination the doctor issues a certificate of medical examination confirming that the examination took place and the date it was carried out. A copy goes to both the employee and the employer. The certificate records that the medical happened; it is not a guarantee of fitness and does not contain confidential clinical findings.

For licensable work, routine medical examinations are required at least every 2 years, and must be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor (a “relevant doctor” under the regulations).

For notifiable non-licensed work, routine medical examinations are required at least every 3 years. They may be carried out by a relevant doctor, which, for non-licensed work, can be a suitably registered medical practitioner holding a licence to practise, as well as an HSE-appointed doctor.

The employer must keep a health record for each worker under surveillance for 40 years from the date of the last entry. The certificate of medical examination is kept for 4 years.

The cost depends on the type of examination, whether it is arranged individually or as a group, and where it takes place. We provide a clear quotation on enquiry rather than publishing a single fixed price, so you know exactly what is included.

For employees, the regulations place the duty to arrange and fund medical surveillance on the employer. Examinations should take place during the worker's normal working hours. Self-employed workers carrying out qualifying work are responsible for arranging their own surveillance.

Employers and contractors can arrange individual or group examinations through a corporate enquiry. Group surveillance can be planned around work schedules and renewal dates. Send the number of workers and the type of work involved and we can advise on the right type of medical.