Health and Safety Records Retention Schedule
(Records Containing Personal Information)

The following minimum retention periods relate to all personal information, regardless of the format in which it is stored. The list is not exhaustive, but provides guidance as to best practice. This retention schedule should be read in conjunction with the University's Data Protection Policy.

Type of RecordMinimum Retention PeriodLocationReason for Length of Period
Pre-employment health screening questionnaire During employment plus 3 years Occupational Health Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Occupational Health Records - health surveillance and medical records relating to risk assessments or incidents occurring at work

40 years Occupational Health/Health, Safety and Environment Office Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 Noise at Work Regulations 1989
Occupational Health Records where reason for termination of employment is connected with health, including stress related illness During employment plus 3 years Personnel, Occupational Health Limitation period for personal injury claims (there may be circumstances where it is not practical to separate these from other Occupational Health Records)
Health surveillance and medical records plus air monitoring and/or biological monitoring etc. kept by reason of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002


5 years or 40 years in respect of specific individuals Health, Safety and Environmental Office Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002
Records relating to asbestos, medical records, training records, suspect incidents of potential exposure


40 years Estates, Health, Safety and Environmental Office Control of Asbestos at Work Regulations 2002
Ionizing Radiation Records 50 years after last entry Radiation Protection Officer Ionizing Radiations Regulations 1999