How often is the work-at-height medical exam done?

At least once a year, in line with the official standards of the Ministry of Health (NOM-009-STPS-2011, point 14.1).

What if the worker is afraid of heights?

The worker must tell the employer about any health condition or acrophobia that could compromise their safety or that of others during work at height (point 6.5).

MX · Expiry & renewal tracking

Never send anyone up with an expired medical exam

Employers in Mexico must give every worker who works at height, above 1.80 m over the reference level, a medical exam at least once a year (NOM-009-STPS-2011, points 5.10 and 14.1). The latest exam is kept while the worker remains on those tasks (point 14.3).

NOM-009-STPS-2011, Safety conditions for work at height (DOF 06/05/2011), applies throughout Mexico wherever work at height is done (point 2): maintenance, installation, demolition, operation, repair or cleaning work, among others, carried out more than 1.80 m above the reference level, including the risk of falling through openings such as holes, wells, shafts and vertical tunnels (point 4.33).

The employer must carry out medical exams on workers who will work at height, as set out in Chapter 14 (point 5.10). These workers must have medical exams at least once a year, in line with the official standards issued by the Ministry of Health (point 14.1).

The exam must be in writing or in electronic form and include the worker's name, their medical assessment and the doctor's name, signature and professional licence number (point 14.2). The latest exam must be kept for as long as the worker remains active in work at height (point 14.3).

Workers, in turn, must attend the medical exams the employer indicates and report any health condition or acrophobia (fear of heights) that could compromise their safety or that of others (point 6.5). Where the employer hires third parties for work at height, it must check that the contractors comply with the standard (point 5.14).

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At a glance

Who it applies to	Places where work at height is done, meaning more than 1.80 m above the reference level (NOM-009-STPS-2011, points 2 and 4.33)
Frequency	At least once a year (point 14.1)
Medical criteria	As set by the official standards of the Ministry of Health (point 14.1)
Minimum content	In writing or electronic: worker's name, medical assessment, doctor's name, signature and professional licence number (point 14.2)
Record keeping	The latest exam, for as long as the worker remains active at height (point 14.3)
Worker's duty	Undergo the exams and report health conditions or acrophobia (point 6.5)
Contractors	The employer checks that they comply with the standard (point 5.14)

Besides the medical exam, the standard requires training, instruction and information suited to the system or equipment used (points 5.13 and 16.1) and a yearly inspection of the systems or equipment, or more often if the manufacturer says so (point 7.14).

Who is responsible?

The employer is responsible for carrying out the medical exams (NOM-009-STPS-2011, point 5.10) and for checking that contractors comply with the standard (point 5.14). Workers must attend the exams the employer indicates (point 6.5). The employer may hire a verification unit; its reports are valid for two years (point 17.4), and the current report must be available to the labour authority on request (point 18.2).

If the deadline passes

Enforcement of NOM-009-STPS-2011 is the responsibility of the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (STPS) (point 19.1). Employers must comply with the official standards on occupational safety and health (Federal Labour Law, Article 132, section XVII), and there are sanctions for employers who do not observe safety and hygiene standards (Federal Labour Law, Articles 992 and 994, section V).

The exam follows the person, not the equipment

The yearly inspection of harnesses, scaffolds or platforms (point 7.14) and the worker's yearly medical exam (point 14.1) are separate duties. It is best to keep one record per worker for the medical exam and one per item of equipment for its inspection, each with its own date.

Tracking it with ExpirySuite

Add a record for each worker who works at height, including contractor staff you supervise, and enter the date of the last medical exam plus one year as the expiry date.
Email reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the expiry date and on the day, giving time to book the appointment before new work at height is assigned.
The doctor or occupational health provider can upload the exam certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
Assign a responsible person, such as the safety team or occupational health service; if a worker passes the date without an exam, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.

Frequently asked questions

How often is the work-at-height medical exam done?: At least once a year, in line with the official standards of the Ministry of Health (NOM-009-STPS-2011, point 14.1).
From what height does it apply?: The standard defines work at height as activities carried out more than 1.80 m above the reference level, including the risk of falling through openings in work surfaces (point 4.33).
What must the exam contain?: It must be in writing or electronic and include the worker's name, their medical assessment and the doctor's name, signature and professional licence number (point 14.2).
How long is it kept?: The latest exam is kept for as long as the worker remains active in work at height (point 14.3).
What if the worker is afraid of heights?: The worker must tell the employer about any health condition or acrophobia that could compromise their safety or that of others during work at height (point 6.5).

Sources

Last checked: Oct 11, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.

Made for medical exam for work at height (NOM-009) (Mexico)

A ready template for medical exam for work at height (NOM-009) (Mexico) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.

Reminders on time

Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each medical exam for work at height (NOM-009) (Mexico) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.

Assign an owner

Give each medical exam for work at height (NOM-009) (Mexico) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.