UKATA Asbestos Awareness Training Courses
Asbestos materials have been used for decades for building insulation as well as in roofing, water supply piping and even in vehicle parts. However, if asbestos fibres are released into the air and inhaled, the long term effects can be catastrophic to health. This means that nowadays more modern alternatives are used instead, and asbestos is now mostly only found in older buildings (pre 2000).
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 now dictates that employers must give appropriate training for all staff who are likely to be exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. This also includes contractors and anyone who is self-employed. The course particularly targets those in the construction and facilities management industries as well as tradesmen such as electricians, plumbers, demolition workers, plasterers, carpenters, roofers, shop fitters and scaffolders. It’s also well worth architects and building surveyors having a full awareness of the issues and dangers posed by asbestos too.
Training in asbestos awareness is designed to offer workers and supervisors the information they need to avoid work which disturbs asbestos in the first place. It’s not designed to prepare you or your employees to carry out work with asbestos-containing materials. If you or someone in your team does need to carry out work that will disturb it, further training and instruction will be required.
Training around understanding how to understand and spot asbestos will cover:
- What asbestos looks and behaves like and how it can affect your health, including the increased risk of developing cancer
- The different types of asbestos and the materials that may contain asbestos
- What to do in an emergency ie. if you accidentally inhale asbestos dust
- How to avoid the risk of exposure to asbestos
If you need further advice about asbestos awareness or any other courses we offer, please do get in touch so we can help.