Training

Asbestos awareness training is a legal requirement under Regulation 10 of The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for all workers who may be liable to be exposed to asbestos. If you work in an area or areas where asbestos containing materials (ACMs) are present, and you could potentially be exposed to those ACMs you should be provided with asbestos awareness training.

Asbestos awareness training

Asbestos awareness training provides information about ACMs, the health risks associated with asbestos, where ACMs may be found, how to avoid being exposed and in the worse-case, what to do if you are or suspect you are exposed to asbestos fibres.

Asbestos awareness training is essential for people that work in the construction industry but is useful to anyone who could be exposed to ACMs. In particular, the following:

• General maintenance workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Joiners
• Painters & decorators
• Plasterers
• Construction workers
• Roofers
• Shopfitters
• Gas fitters
• Heating & ventilation engineers
• Demolition workers
• Telecommunication engineers
• Fire / burglar alarm installers
• Computer & data engineers / installers
• Architects
• Building surveyors

Asbestos awareness training should cover the following:

• The properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of developing lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke
• The types, uses and likely occurrence of asbestos and asbestos materials in buildings and plant
• The general procedures to deal with an emergency, e.g. an uncontrolled release of asbestos dust into the workplace
• How to avoid the risk of exposure to asbestos

Asbestos awareness training DOES NOT provide information about working with or on asbestos materials. For people that work with asbestos there are other levels of training that cover licensable works, non-licensable works and notifiable non-licensable works. All works on asbestos are strictly regulated and should only be undertaken by qualified and competent professionals.

For more information: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training.htm

UKATA Asbestos Training

UKATA is a leading authority on asbestos training, a not-for-profit association established in 2008 with a set purpose in mind: to be recognised as the asbestos industry’s most eminent training association.

Instantly recognised and respected for the exacting standards in asbestos training delivered by its members in accordance with current HSE Legislation, UKATA is committed to both maintaining and improving higher standards of asbestos training through quality assurance of UKATA approved training providers.

The three main levels of training offered by UKATA members include:

• Asbestos Awareness
• Asbestos Non-Licensed Operative
• Licensable Work with Asbestos

Several UKATA members also offer Duty to Manage Asbestos and Duty to Manage Asbestos – Appointed Person courses for those who are responsible for managing asbestos in their premises.

With nearly 200 members globally, you can find a local training provider using the UKATA directory: https://www.ukata.org.uk/training/find-training-provider/