Asbestos Testing Requirements
Federal OSHA Medical Surveillance · Quick Reference
Asbestos causes asbestosis, lung cancer, and mesothelioma; affects workers in construction/demolition, shipyards, insulation, brake/friction work, and abatement. Federal 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 history | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Respiratory symptoms questionnaireA standardized questionnaire about breathing symptoms, smoking history, and past job exposures | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complete physical examination of all systemsemphasis on the respiratory system, cardiovascular system, and digestive tract | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Chest X-ray | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pulmonary function testsforced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Any additional tests deemed appropriate by the examining physician | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Exit exam required within 30 calendar days before or after termination of employment, for employees exposed at or above the TWA and/or excursion limit [1910.1001(l)(4)(i)].
Table 1 — Frequency of chest X-ray (Federal OSHA) 29 CFR 1910.1001,
| Years since first exposure | Age 15 to 35 | Age 35+ to 45 | Age 45+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 10 years | Every 5 years | Every 5 years | Every 5 years |
| 10 or more years | Every 5 years | Every 2 years | Every 1 year |
Applies to the general industry standard (1910.1001) only — the construction (1926.1101) and shipyard (1915.1001) standards contain no X-ray frequency table; there, the chest X-ray is administered at the discretion of the physician. The periodic examination itself is made available annually.
We run this program for you.
Scheduling, exams, lab panels, physician review, and audit-ready records — fully Federal OSHA compliant.