Asbestos Testing Requirements
Cal/OSHA Medical Surveillance · Quick Reference
Asbestos causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma; affects workers in construction/demolition, shipyards, insulation, brake/friction work, and abatement. Cal/OSHA requires employers to provide this medical surveillance at no cost to covered employees. Routine testing catches harm early and keeps your program audit-ready.
Required Tests by Exam
| Required test / evaluation | Baselinepre-placement | Periodicannual | Exitwithin 30 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical and work historyspecial emphasis on the pulmonary, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Respiratory symptoms questionnaireA standardized questionnaire about breathing symptoms, smoking history, and past job exposures | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Physical examination directed to the pulmonary and gastrointestinal systems | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chest X-ray | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pulmonary function testsforced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume at one second (FEV1) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Any other examinations or tests deemed necessary by the examining physician | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Exit exam required within 30 calendar days before or after termination [8358(m)(2)(A)5.].
Table 2 — Frequency of chest X-ray (Cal/OSHA) 8 CCR 5208, 1529 & 8358
| Years since first exposure | Age under 40 | Age 40 and older |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 years | Every 3 years | Every year |
| 10 or more years | Every year | Every year |
Oblique x-rays need only be performed every 3 years (Table 2 footnote, verbatim). Table 2 governs the pre-placement chest roentgenogram as well as periodic frequency.
We run this program for you.
Scheduling, exams, lab panels, physician review, and audit-ready records — fully Cal/OSHA compliant.