Some non-licensed asbestos work carries additional duties because of the higher risk involved, known as notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW). Examples include removing asbestos cement where the material will be substantially damaged or broken up, large-scale removal of textured coatings, or removing asbestos insulating board as part of refurbishment. Employers must notify this work to the relevant enforcing authority before it starts, and workers carrying it out must be under medical surveillance.
Not all non-licensed asbestos work is notifiable, and not all non-licensed work carries a statutory medical surveillance duty. Whether NNLW applies depends on the type of work, the material involved and its condition, so if you are not sure which category applies, your employer's risk assessment (or the HSE's own guidance) is the place to confirm it before booking.
Who this is for
- Workers carrying out notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) with asbestos
- Maintenance workers and tradespeople undertaking notifiable work on asbestos-containing materials
- Self-employed workers carrying out NNLW
- Employers arranging medical surveillance for staff who carry out NNLW
What's included
The examination comprises a chest examination and a lung function test, along with a medical and occupational history. It can be carried out by an HSE-appointed doctor, or by any doctor who is GMC-registered with a licence to practise, in line with HSE guidance for doctors examining non-licensed workers. The doctor issues a certificate confirming that the examination took place and the date it was carried out.