Who Needs an Asbestos Medical?
Medical surveillance applies to specific categories of asbestos work, not to every worker who might encounter asbestos. Here is how to tell whether a medical applies to you or your team.
It is the work activity that counts
A common misunderstanding is that a particular job title always requires an asbestos medical. In practice, whether statutory medical surveillance applies depends on the work being carried out, the type of asbestos material, its condition, and the nature and duration of the task.
The same tradesperson might carry out notifiable non-licensed work on one job and non-notifiable work on another. That is why it is worth checking each situation against the categories of asbestos work rather than assuming. If a medical does apply, you can arrange one through our asbestos medical services wherever you are based in the UK.
Which category does the work fall into?
| Category of work | Medical surveillance? | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| Licensable work | Yes, by an HSE-appointed doctor | at least every 2 years |
| Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) | Yes, by a relevant doctor | at least every 3 years |
| Non-notifiable non-licensed work | No additional statutory medical surveillance duty | N/A |
Workers who may need a medical
These occupational groups often carry out qualifying work, but always check the specific task.
Licensed removal operatives
Workers carrying out licensable asbestos removal need a licensed medical at least every 2 years.
NNLW workers
Those undertaking notifiable non-licensed work need an NNLW medical at least every 3 years.
Demolition & refurbishment
Workers disturbing asbestos during qualifying demolition or refurbishment tasks.
Maintenance workers
Maintenance tasks can qualify as NNLW depending on the material and work.
Construction trades
Some construction tasks involving asbestos qualify; many do not, it depends on the job.
Self-employed trades
A self-employed person doing qualifying work must arrange their own surveillance.
Not everyone who encounters asbestos needs a medical
Statutory medical surveillance is tied to specific categories of work. People who may come across asbestos but do not carry out licensable or notifiable non-licensed work are not automatically subject to the medical surveillance duty.
- Incidental or inadvertent contact is not the same as qualifying work
- Lower-risk, good-condition materials may fall under non-notifiable work
- If exposure happens unexpectedly, HSE guidance addresses that separately
When you are not sure
If you cannot tell which category your work falls into, check it against HSE guidance or ask us before booking. Getting the category right means booking the correct medical, or confirming that none is required.
Who-needs-a-medical FAQs
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.
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.
Need to arrange an asbestos medical?
Tell us the type of work and how many people need examining. We will help you arrange the right medical surveillance and send a clear quotation.
Important: This page is general guidance about occupational asbestos medicals in the UK and is not medical or legal advice. It does not diagnose or treat any condition. Confirm your specific duties with a qualified occupational health professional or by consulting HSE guidance.