HSE-compliant asbestos medical examinations

Licensed and notifiable non-licensed work

Clinics in Bristol and Chepstow. On-site visits for groups across the UK

£150 pay-as-you-go. Discounts for groups

Online booking, appointments in 1-2 days

HSE requirements for asbestos medical examinations

Statutory asbestos medical examination requirements: which employees need to undergo a medical examination?

Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, medical surveillance is required for all asbestos workers who undertake licensed or notifiable non-licensed asbestos work.

What does an asbestos medical exam involve?

Our process for asbestos medical examinations:

Asbestos medical certificates

After the examination, you receive two originals of the HSE Asbestos Medical Certificate, one for you and one for the employer. The certificates confirm the medical surveillance. Occupational health advice may be provided outside asbestos medicals for workers who are not fit to work with asbestos (e.g., severe asthma precluding RPE use).

Certificate for licensed asbestos work

The HSE Certificate for licensed work is valid for 2 years and can be issued by an HSE-appointed doctor.

Certificate for notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW)

The NNLW certificate is valid for 3 years and can be issued by any physician who is familiar with the asbestos health risks and HSE examination and medical screening requirements.

Occupational health physician appointments facilitate prompt, consistent, and continuous care. We can also provide occupational health advice if required.

Our expertise in asbestos medicals

Our occupational health physicians are appointed by the Health and Safety Executive to undertake asbestos medicals and issue certificates for licensed asbestos work and notifiable non-licensed asbestos work. Since 2014, we have provided expert asbestos health surveillance to a wide range of businesses, including:
✔ Specialist asbestos removal companies
✔ Demolition contractors
✔ Scaffolding companies
✔ Building surveyors in Bristol, South Wales and on-site UK-wide.

We have recently undertaken 8 urgent asbestos medicals for a Bristol demolition company.

Why are asbestos medicals crucial for compliance and workplace health & safety?

1. Legal requirement: Medical Surveillance is mandated under the Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2012 (CAR) for asbestos workers undertaking licensed and notifiable non-licensed asbestos work.
2. RIDDOR reporting: Asbestos-related health conditions (lung cancer and mesothelioma) must be reported to the HSE under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (RIDDOR) Regulations 2013. The accidental release of asbestos fibres in quantities sufficient to harm health is also reportable under RIDDOR as a dangerous occurrence.
3. Protecting worker’s health: Asbestos causes delayed but severe health problems:
   * Lung scarring (asbestosis)
   * Lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other significant conditions
   Asbestos medical examinations are a crucial part of protecting workers’ health and safety.
4. Early detection: Early identification of asbestos-related health problems may allow for more effective management and potentially improved outcomes.
5. Minimising legal risks and demonstrating due diligence: Adherence to asbestos regulations, including health surveillance, shows all precautions were taken and helps to minimise the risk of legal claims arising from asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-related medical conditions

Pleural plaques

Pleural plaques are characterised by patchy scarring and thickening of the pleura, the membrane that surrounds the lungs and lines the chest cavity. While often asymptomatic (causing no noticeable symptoms), they can sometimes coalesce and form a more advanced stage, diffuse pleural thickening. This more extensive thickening can lead to worsening breathlessness, chest discomfort, and a reduced ability to expand the lungs fully.

Pleural Plaques: Position Paper by the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council

Asbestosis

Asbestosis is a chronic lung disease caused by the inhalation of asbestos fibres, resulting in scarring (fibrosis) of the lung tissue. This scarring reduces the elasticity of the lungs, making it difficult for them to expand and contract to breathe. This leads to a progressive decrease in breathing volume (lung capacity) and can cause:

• Progressive breathlessness, initially during exertion and later reduced exercise tolerance
• A persistent, dry cough
• Chest tightness or pain
• Clubbing of the fingers (in advanced cases)

Asbestosis typically develops after long-term, heavy exposure to asbestos. It is important to note that the disease can continue to progress even after exposure has ceased.

Asbestosis: NHS A to Z Information

Lung cancer

Asbestos exposure significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk makes it a major concern for employers and workers in asbestos-related industries. Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the UK. Asbestos workers who do not use adequate respiratory protection are approximately 5-8 times more likely to develop lung cancer than the general population.

Crucially, the combination of smoking and asbestos exposure dramatically increases this already significant risk. Medical research indicates that smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 10-20 times, while the combined risk for smokers exposed to asbestos can be 50 times higher or even more.

Asbestos workers should be vigilant for potential symptoms, which may include: unexplained breathlessness, loss of appetite, a new or worsening cough that doesn’t go away, coughing up blood (haemoptysis), worsening chest pain, unintentional weight loss, fatigue and weakness.

Lung cancer: Macmillan Cancer Support

Mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a less common but aggressive cancer that primarily affects the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or the peritoneum (the lining of the abdomen). It is almost exclusively caused by asbestos exposure, and even relatively low levels of exposure can lead to the development of this disease.

The symptoms of mesothelioma are often similar to those of lung cancer but may additionally include pain on deep breathing, coughing or sneezing.

Unfortunately, mesothelioma has a very poor prognosis. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential, but even with aggressive treatment, the outcomes are often unfavourable.

Mesothelioma: Cancer Research UK

Further information: HSE asbestos regulations and guidance

FAQ: Medical asbestos aspects