Across Colorado, asbestos exposure remains a real concern—especially in construction, renovation, demolition, and industrial work involving older buildings and infrastructure. While asbestos is no longer widely used, it is still present in many structures built before the 1980s, creating ongoing risk for workers when materials are disturbed.

For Colorado employers, protecting workers from asbestos-related illness isn’t just about safety—it’s also about regulatory compliance, workers’ compensation risk management, and long-term cost control. One of the most important tools in that process is the asbestos physical.

Asbestos Exposure Risks in Colorado Workplaces

Colorado has a large inventory of aging commercial buildings, schools, military facilities, and industrial sites. Workers may encounter asbestos during:

  • Construction and renovation projects
  • Demolition and abatement work
  • Maintenance, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical repairs
  • Public sector and infrastructure upgrades

When asbestos-containing materials are disturbed, microscopic fibers can become airborne and inhaled, leading to serious long-term health consequences.

Why Asbestos Medical Surveillance Matters for Employers

Asbestos-related illnesses often develop decades after exposure, making early monitoring essential. From an employer and workers’ compensation perspective, asbestos medical surveillance helps:

  • Identify health concerns early
  • Establish baseline medical documentation
  • Reduce disputed or delayed claims
  • Demonstrate compliance with OSHA requirements
  • Protect both employees and the business

Providing required asbestos physicals is not only a regulatory obligation—it’s a proactive risk management strategy.

What Is an Asbestos Physical?

An asbestos physical is a specialized occupational health exam designed for workers who are exposed—or may be exposed—to asbestos on the job. These exams are commonly required under OSHA asbestos standards and are a key part of an employer’s medical surveillance program.

We provide asbestos physicals for Colorado employers and workers, supporting both compliance and workers’ compensation documentation needs.

What’s Included in an Asbestos Physical?

Asbestos physicals typically include:

  • Detailed work and exposure history
  • Review of respiratory symptoms
  • Comprehensive physical examination
  • Focus on lung and respiratory health
  • Pulmonary function testing (PFTs) when required
  • Chest X-ray coordination and review, as applicable
  • Smoking history and risk factor assessment
  • Medical documentation for employer and compliance records

Our providers are experienced in occupational medicine and understand how these exams fit into broader workers’ comp and surveillance programs.

OSHA Compliance and Employer Responsibilities in Colorado

OSHA requires medical surveillance for certain employees exposed to asbestos above permissible exposure limits. While federal OSHA standards apply, Colorado employers are still responsible for ensuring:

  • Timely medical exams
  • Proper documentation
  • Ongoing monitoring for exposed workers
  • Coordination with workers’ compensation carriers when needed

Failure to comply can lead to citations, increased liability, and costly claims. Partnering with a knowledgeable occupational health clinic helps simplify compliance and reduce administrative burden.

Supporting Workers’ Compensation and Risk Management

From a workers’ compensation standpoint, asbestos physicals help employers:

  • Establish pre-exposure or baseline health status
  • Support claim investigations with proper documentation
  • Reduce uncertainty in long-term exposure cases
  • Demonstrate good-faith efforts to protect employees

Having consistent, well-documented exams performed by an occupational health provider familiar with Colorado employers’ needs can make a meaningful difference over time.

Why Colorado Employers Choose Us for Asbestos Physicals

We work with Colorado employers across industries to provide:

  • ✔ OSHA-compliant asbestos physicals
  • ✔ Experience with occupational health and workers’ comp
  • ✔ Efficient scheduling to minimize downtime
  • ✔ Clear, employer-ready documentation
  • ✔ Support for ongoing surveillance programs

Whether you manage a small crew or a large workforce, we make asbestos medical exams straightforward and reliable.

Schedule Asbestos Physicals for Your Workforce

Asbestos exposure remains a serious occupational risk—but with proper medical surveillance, employers can protect workers while managing compliance and liability.

If your Colorado workforce requires asbestos physicals, we’re ready to help support your safety program and workers’ compensation goals.

Contact us today to schedule asbestos physicals or to discuss setting up an ongoing medical surveillance program.