Independent Medical Assessment for COSHH
Get in touchAt Independent Medical Assessment, we provide impartial evaluations for employees working with hazardous substances covered by the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002).
COSHH applies to a wide range of substances, including dusts, vapours, fumes, gases, solvents, and biological agents. Exposure to these hazards can lead to illnesses such as asthma, dermatitis, cancers, and respiratory disease.
Employers are legally required to provide health surveillance where risks cannot be fully controlled.
Contact us now to receive a free quote and schedule an independent medical assessment for COSHH.
Why are Independent Medical Assessments needed for COSHH?
Independent medical assessments for COSHH provide an impartial evaluation of whether an employee’s health concerns are linked to workplace exposure.
Workplace exposure to hazardous substances can cause both immediate and long-term health problems.
This neutrality is especially valuable in disputes, compensation claims, or ill-health retirement cases.
It ensures decisions are based on clinical evidence rather than workplace pressures.
What Does a COSHH Medical Assessment Involve?
The COSHH assessment begins with a review of the employee’s medical history and workplace risk factors.
It may include respiratory questionnaires, lung function testing (spirometry), skin checks, hearing tests, or blood sampling, depending on the exposure.
A clinical examination may also be carried out if required.
The findings are compiled into an independent report confirming fitness for work and any restrictions needed.
Who Requires Independent Medical Assessments Under COSHH?
Assessments are required for employees exposed to substances where COSHH surveillance is mandatory.
This includes industries such as construction, laboratories, healthcare, agriculture, printing, cleaning, and manufacturing.
Common substances include flour dust, silica, isocyanates, solvents, lead, asbestos, and biological agents.
Independent assessments may also be requested in legal or insurance cases where impartiality is required.
How Often Should COSHH Medicals Be Carried Out?
The frequency of COSHH medical surveys depends on the type of substance and the level of exposure risk.
High-risk exposures, such as asbestos or lead, may require medicals every 6–24 months.
Other exposures, such as flour dust or cleaning agents, may require annual reviews.
Independent medical assessments can be one-off evaluations in contested cases or part of ongoing surveillance.
What Are the Benefits of Independent Medical Assessments for COSHH?
Independent assessments for COSHH offer neutrality, compliance, and reassurance.
Key benefits include:
Ensure compliance with COSHH and workplace safety law.
Provide unbiased evidence on whether health problems are work-related.
Detect early signs of work-related illnesses such as asthma or dermatitis.
Support legal, insurance, or ill-health retirement cases.
Protect both employee health and employer liability.
How Much Do Independent COSHH Medicals Cost?
The cost of independent COSHH assessments range from £100 to £300 per case.
Costs vary depending on the number of employees, the type of surveillance required, and whether additional testing is needed.
Legal or insurance-related reports may cost more due to the need for detailed documentation.
At Independent Medical Assessments, we provide transparent, tailored quotes for each situation.
Are Independent COSHH Medical Assessments Confidential?
Confidentiality is guaranteed for all independent medical COSHH assessments.
Employers or insurers only receive an outcome report confirming whether the employee is fit, fit with restrictions, or unfit.
Detailed medical information remains private between the individual and the assessor.
We ensure employee privacy while providing organisations with the information they need to manage workplace risks.
What Records Must Employers Keep for COSHH Medicals?
Employers are legally required to keep health records for all employees undergoing COSHH medical surveillance.
These records must include the date of assessment, the type of checks carried out, fitness-for-work outcomes, and any restrictions or recommendations.
They must be retained for at least 40 years, as many occupational diseases take decades to develop.
Maintaining these records helps demonstrate compliance and provides evidence if claims or inspections arise.
What Happens If an Employee Is Found Unfit for Work?
If an independent medical assessment concludes that an employee is unfit, they must be removed from further exposure to hazardous substances.
The assessor may recommend redeployment, temporary adjustments, or referral for specialist care.
Employers are expected to act immediately on these recommendations to comply with COSHH and safeguard health.
An independent report also provides impartial evidence to support fair decision-making.
Can Employees Refuse a COSHH Medical Assessment?
Medical surveillance requires employee consent.
However, under COSHH, health checks are mandatory where workplace exposure carries a significant risk.
If an employee refuses, they may not be able to continue in roles involving hazardous substances.
Employers should explain that assessments are confidential, impartial, and designed to protect long-term health.
What Substances Commonly Require COSHH Surveillance?
A wide range of substances fall under COSHH and require surveillance where risks remain after controls are applied.
Common examples include flour dust in bakeries, silica dust in construction, isocyanates in spray paints, solvents in cleaning, and biological agents in healthcare.
Asbestos and lead also require statutory medicals under separate regulations linked to COSHH.
Independent assessments provide an impartial evaluation of health risks linked to these substances.
How Do Independent Medical Assessments Differ from Routine COSHH Checks?
Routine COSHH checks are arranged by the employer’s chosen occupational health provider as part of ongoing compliance.
Independent assessments are separate, impartial evaluations, often requested for legal disputes, ill-health retirement, or insurance claims.
They provide neutrality where an unbiased opinion is required.
This ensures that decisions are fair, transparent, and evidence-based.
Request a Free Quote for Medical Evaluations for COSHH
At Independent Medical Assessment, we deliver impartial COSHH health evaluations to protect employees, support compliance, and provide unbiased evidence for workplace, insurance, or legal decisions.
Our independent assessments ensure unbiased, fair reporting, supporting both employee wellbeing and employer compliance with UK law.
Contact Independent Medical Assessment today to arrange COSHH medicals for your organisation.
Other Services We Offer
At Medical Surveillance, we offer a wide range of services; some of these include:
Independent Medical Assessment for Lead Exposure
Independent Medical Assessment for Skin Checks
Independent Medical Assessment for Asbestos
Independent Medical Assessment for Bakery Workers
Independent Medical Assessment for Benzene
Independent Medical Assessment for Radiation Workers
Independent Medical Assessment for Silica Exposure
Independent Medical Assessment for Formaldehyde
Independent Medical Assessment for Dermatitis
Independent Medical Assessment for Mental Health