The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has decided not to reduce the period between medical examinations for asbestos workers.

Following a review of the Control of Asbestos Regulations published in 2017, the HSE decided to launch a consultation on one aspect of the regulations. Views were sought on reducing the frequency of asbestos medical examinations for licensed contractors from two years to three years.

Chris Parr, Assurance Director at Lucion Services explains:

“Regulation 22 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR), requires employers to arrange appropriate medical examinations for any employees who carry out licensable work or notifiable non-licensable work. It also sets out what health records employers must keep and how long.

“Currently asbestos medical examinations should take place every two years by an HSE -appointed doctor for licensable work, but for notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) the medicals should be conducted by a General Practitioner every three years.”

However, analysis by the HSE of the consultation response found that 61% did not support the proposed amendment, with the proposals being seen by some as reducing the protection provided by the current system.

Commenting on the outcome of the consultation, Garry Graham, deputy general secretary of the Prospect union said: “Asbestos is a silent killer of thousands of workers every year. Frequent medical checks for those engaged in the dangerous removal of asbestos from old buildings is vital to pick up any symptoms as early as possible. We welcome the HSE seeing sense on this issue.”

More details at https://www.prospect.org.uk/news/id/2018/January/19/Plans-water-down-medical-checks-on-asbestos-workers-abandoned