Do the Regulations make it a requirement for all seafarers to have medical fitness certificates?
A: The Regulations make it a legal requirement for any seafarer employed or engaged in any capacity aboard a seagoing ship, to hold a valid certificate attesting to their medical fitness for the work for which they are employed. The requirement for a medical fitness certificate does not apply to anyone employed on a fishing vessel, a non-commercial pleasure vessel, an offshore installation while on its working station, or to those whose normal place of work is ashore but are working on a temporary, short-term basis for the duration of the voyage.
What is meant by ‘acceptable medical fitness certificate’?
A: A certificate (form ENG1) issued by an MCA approved doctor appointed in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations.
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga-seafarer_information/mcga-...

This book on medical aspects of fitness for work gathers together specialist advice on the medical aspects of employment and the majority of medical conditions likely to be encountered in the working population. http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fitness-Work-Medical-Aspects-Publica...

Medical Examinations Before and During Employment 1945-60
Old TUC ref: 140.5; T2272; D120-123
Correspondence with trade unions and Ministry of Labour regarding the above; including complaint by the Foundry Workers regarding a member being sacked after an examination; by Amalgamated Engineering Union regarding examinations being made a condition of employment; with Confederation of Shipbuilding and Engineering Unions regarding supervision over medical examinations; with Ministry of Labour regarding the certificate of fitness for employment under the Factories Act. http://www.warwick.ac.uk/services/library/mrc/ead/292a0100.h...