Staywell » Services » Lead, radiation & asbestos medicals

Lead, ionising radiation & asbestos medicals

What we can provide

We work closely with a number of occupational health physicians (OHP) across the UK to provide a convenient, cost effective solution to monitoring the exposure of your employees to lead, asbestos & ionising radiation.  We only work with highly trained, HSE appointed doctors, who are able to provide professional,competent advice on the surveillance required to comply with legislation.

Lead Medicals

Legislation; The control of lead at work (CLAW) Regulations 2002 outlines exposure limits and when medical surveillance is necessary.

Health risks; Lead is a hazardous chemical which is widely known to cause a number of health issues. Prolonged exposure to high concentrations can cause, kidney, brain and nerve damage; more common side effects are headaches, tiredness and nausea.

For Whom; Exposure in the workplace can be through a number of forms, for example; removal and burning of lead paint, recycling appliances, manufacturing leaded glass and working with leaded solder. Exposure can occur through breathing vapour, dust or fumes or by swallowing e.g. not washing hands before eating.

What needs to be done; We offer monitoring of lead through blood testing.

When; Before employment commences. The exact frequency is dependent on the results and working environment, but tests must be carried out at least every 12 months.

Asbestos Medicals

Legislation; The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 provides further detail into the steps employers are required to take.

From April 2015, all workers undertaking notifiable non-licensed work will also be subject to medical surveillance by a Doctor. Previously, this was only required for licensed contractors.

Health Risks; Asbestos was a popular building material used until the year 2000, due to its insulating, fire retardant and waterproof properties. Inhaling asbestos fibres can cause very serious health issues such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and scarring of the lungs (asbestosis).

For Whom; If asbestos exceeds the following action levels, medical surveillance is necessary:

•    72 fibre-hours per millilitre of air – Employees exposed solely to chrysotile.

•    48 fibre-hours per millilitre of air – Employees exposed to any other form of asbestos.

•    There are presently exemptions for workers with sporadic and insignificant exposure, please refer to the legislation.

What needs to be done; The medical will include a lung function test and an extensive questionnaire of the employees medical history.

When; Before employment commences and then at least every two years. For non-licensed work, testing is required once every three years.

Worker moving asbestos sheets

New legislation came into force in April 2015 for non-licensed work with Asbestos.

Ionising radiation medicals

Legislation; The Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 (IRR99) provide more information about dose limits and the health effects of ionising radiation.

Health risks; The primary long term health risk of ionising radiation is increased risk of developing cancer, therefore strict dose limits are put in place. Extreme exposure to high levels of ionising radiation can damage tissue and organs.

For Whom; Employees who are at high risk of radiation in work are known as ‘classified workers’. These are employees who have been exposed to radiation in excess of 6mSv per year. Workers who have received an over exposure will also need to be assessed.

What needs to be done; Examination includes an assessment of the dosimeter records and is specific to each working environment. It can include a check of the skin, respiratory system and occasionally a blood test.

When; Before employment commences, followed annually by a medical assessment.

What we suggest

Requirements for these services greatly differ between companies, depending on the activities being carried out and the existing control measures put in place. Contact us to discuss your exact requirement for our OHP-led services.


Our other services

Safety Critical Medicals

Safety Critical Medicals

Under current health and safety legislation, employers have a duty of care to prevent the ill-health of their workers. This is particularly relevant to those carrying out safety-critical tasks. It is important that safety-critical workers are not suffering from medical conditions or undergoing any medical treatment which is likely to cause sudden loss of consciousness or incapacity, impairment of awareness, concentration, balance or coordination or significant limitation of mobility.

Find out more
Medical Surveillance

Medical Surveillance

At Staywell, we are pleased to offer a comprehensive range of flexible, cost effective, health surveillance programmes across the UK. We work in partnership with our clients helping you to ensure that workplace risks are effectively managed and monitored to provide a safe working environment and protect the ongoing health of your employees.

Find out more
Health Surveillance

Health Surveillance

Testing is carried out by a fully qualified occupational health (OH) clinician. We monitor for all four stages of hand arm vibration syndrome and provide audiometry, spirometry and skin assessments. Our on-site service caters for both day and night shifts and is designed to minimise any disruption to your business.

Find out more
Employee Health Screening

Employee Health Screening

Our complrehensive screening comprises a combination of tests, which offer the employee an overview of their current health status and a means of managing their own health and wellbeing. We manage all aspects of the service, managing the administration via our booking system through to producing simple, actionable health reports for individuals and organisations. Our services can be provided as a one off project or as part of an integrated programme and we can screen as many or as few employees as you wish.

Find out more
Health promotion

Health promotion

The workplace has a direct influence on the physical, mental and social wellbeing of its workforce, with sickness absence costing businesses £14 billion a year and three out of four employees believing that their health and wellbeing affects work performance. Through programmes that focus on preventative health and life style modification, we can help you identify, implement and assess the health promotion needs in your business to suit all scopes and budgets which you can incorporate as and when you need them.

Find out more
Management Referrals

Management Referrals

We offer easy access to occupational health assessments which provide expert advice, rapid response times and cost-effective pay as you go OH advice. Our completed assessments help you to understand what your employee needs to feel better, return to work, do their job safely and avoid anything that could cause further health or absence issues

Find out more
Fit for Task Medicals for High-Risk Work

Fit for Task Medicals for High-Risk Work

These health assessments can help decide whether an employee can safely carry out a specific job or task. Staywell offer a comprehensive service that will enable your organisation to meet its legal obligations, help to minimise workplace incidents and proactively protect your employee’s health. We have considerable experience in performing forklift truck, working at heights and confined spaces medicals, to name a few.

Find out more
Occupational Health Services

Occupational Health Services

A proactive occupational health service is essential in helping you to protect and retain the people that make your business a success. We work alongside your organisation to develop a strategy unique to your organisation that can help you to reduce staff turnover, manage sickness absence and improve employee productivity, wellbeing and safety.

Find out more
Pre Placement Medical Screening

Pre Placement Medical Screening

We provide the option of a online, paper screen and a face to face consultation for new employees joining the company. This is to ensure that they are fit to carry out the work expected of them and any adjustments that need to be made due to presenting health problems can be highlighted. If required, this can also include health surveillance tests, to integrate the employee seamlessly into the companies health surveillance programme.

Find out more
EAP Services

EAP Services

The fast pace of business life with its focus on performance culture can result in a high level of pressure placed on employees. Employee assistance programs can make a tangible difference, improving an individual’s ability to do their job through the provision of a 24/7, confidential Freephone support service. With access to counselling, information guidance & referrals on any work, personal or family issue we are here to help employees stay happy, healthy and fully focused on life and work.

Find out more
Drug & Alcohol Screening

Drug & Alcohol Screening

Whether drug & alcohol testing is a regulatory requirement or implemented for best practice we have a wide range of services to support you. These include testing, drug & alcohol policy formation, training & education, and background checking. We recognise the importance of the accuracy and integrity of test results which is why we provide a legally defensible chain of custody screening and confirmation testing across the UK.

Find out more