CAR 2012 · Licensed & NNLW · HSE Appointed Doctor
Asbestos Medicals in Scotland, by an HSE Appointed Doctor
Statutory medicals for licensed asbestos workers and NNLW trades — carried out by Dr Gillian Hawkley, an HSE Appointed Doctor, at our Stirling clinic or on your site across Glasgow, Edinburgh and the Central Belt. Certificates issued on the day.
Check who’s actually doing your asbestos medical
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, a medical for licensed asbestos work is only valid if it’s carried out by a Doctor individually appointed by the HSE. Plenty of clinics advertise “asbestos medicals” without saying who performs them — and a certificate from the wrong Doctor won’t survive a licence assessment or an HSE inspection. At Viking, every asbestos medical is performed personally by Dr Gillian Hawkley, an HSE Appointed Doctor for asbestos, based in Stirling.
Licensed work vs NNLW — which medical do your workers need?
| Licensed asbestos work | Notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical work | Asbestos removal, insulation and coating work, most work with asbestos insulating board | Short-duration maintenance and removal where fibres are well controlled — e.g. asbestos cement roofing, textured coatings, gaskets |
| Who examines | HSE Appointed Doctor only | Any registered Doctor (many employers use an Appointed Doctor anyway) |
| Frequency | At least every 2 years; first medical no more than 2 years before exposure starts | At least every 3 years |
| Certificate | Certificate of medical examination — required at licence assessments and site audits | Certificate of medical examination — required before NNLW begins |
Not sure which category your work falls into? Read our guide to licensed vs NNLW asbestos work, or send us your method statements — we’ll confirm which medical applies before you book.
What the medical involves
The examination takes around 30 minutes and covers a respiratory questionnaire and occupational history, clinical examination of the chest, and lung function testing (spirometry). Because the examining Doctor is an Occupational Health physician, borderline findings are handled with clinical judgement on the day rather than a referral into a queue. You leave with the certificate — one copy for the worker, one for the employer.
Your duties as an employer
- Medicals happen in work time, at your cost — including travel and the Doctor’s fee
- Keep each worker’s health record for 40 years from the last entry
- Keep certificates of medical examination for at least 4 years
- Don’t let a certificate lapse — workers without a current medical cannot legally do licensable or notifiable work
We track recall dates for every worker on your programme and prompt you before certificates expire — see how employer programmes work.
On-site asbestos medicals for removal contractors
For licensed removal contractors and demolition firms, we run medical days at your premises or site welfare across the Central Belt — Glasgow, Edinburgh, Falkirk and beyond — so your operatives can be certificated without losing a day’s production. Asbestos medicals combine naturally with wider Health Surveillance (audiometry, HAVS, respiratory) for the same workforce in the same visit.
Asbestos Medical FAQs
Who can carry out an asbestos medical?
For licensed asbestos work, the medical must be carried out by a Doctor appointed by the HSE — a GP or Occupational Health nurse cannot issue the certificate. For notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW), the examination can be done by any registered Doctor, but many contractors use an Appointed Doctor for both so all workers are covered to the higher standard.
How often do asbestos medicals need to be renewed?
Licensed asbestos workers need a medical at least every 2 years, with the first examination no more than 2 years before exposure begins. NNLW workers need a medical at least every 3 years. The Doctor can set a shorter interval where clinically indicated.
What does an asbestos medical involve?
A respiratory questionnaire and occupational history, clinical examination of the chest, and lung function testing (spirometry). It takes around 30 minutes. You receive a certificate of medical examination on the day — one copy for the worker, one for the employer’s records.
How long must employers keep asbestos health records?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, employers must keep a health record for each exposed worker for 40 years from the date of the last entry, and keep the certificate of medical examination for at least 4 years. Asbestos-related disease can take decades to appear, so these records matter.
What happens if the medical finds a problem?
The Appointed Doctor discusses the findings with the worker, arranges any further investigation and advises on fitness to continue asbestos work, including whether respirator use is medically suitable. Early findings are exactly what surveillance is for — most workers continue working with appropriate follow-up.
Related services
Lead & Radiation Medicals
The other HSE Appointed Doctor schemes — often needed by the same demolition and industrial workforce.
Statutory medicalsHealth Surveillance
Audiometry, HAVS and respiratory surveillance delivered in the same site visit.
Health SurveillanceContractor programmes
Recall tracking so certificates never lapse before a licence assessment.
For employersLicence assessment coming up, or new starts to certificate?
Individual appointments within the week at our Stirling clinic, or a medical day at your site for all your operatives. Certificates issued on the day.