HSE is aware that there have been a number of medicals for asbestos work that have been provided remotely, eg by phone.
Asbestos medicals undertaken remotely were a short‑term measure during the Covid pandemic. However, medicals carried out after 1 September 2021 should have been done face‑to‑face, in line with HSE guidance, MS31 - Guidance for appointed doctors on medical surveillance of workers doing licensed work with asbestos.
Medicals for asbestos work that were carried out remotely after 1 September 2021 are invalid.
If any worker with one of these medicals wishes to continue working with asbestos, they will need to get a medical from an appointed doctor as soon as possible - please see current HSE list of Appointed Doctors.
Employers have a legal duty to ensure that their workers are under medical surveillance by a doctor appointed by HSE and that the workers have a valid medical. However, although appointed by HSE, these doctors are not employed by HSE. The person or company requiring statutory medical surveillance is responsible for agreeing conditions of service and payment with an appointed doctor.
Any issues arising as a result of this situation should be taken up with the employer or agency who arranged the medical.
HSE has been advised that doctors from one of the main practices involved have been contacting those affected.
Investigation and enquiries into this matter are continuing.
Published on Wednesday 15th January 2025