Asbestos is a very dangerous material. Banned in the UK in 1999 but commonly utilised in construction until that point, disturbed asbestos fibres are known to cause multiple cancers.
Asbestos-related deaths are thought to be in excess of 5000 a year with Mesothelioma (a type of cancer that occurs in the layer of tissue that covers most internal organs) accounting for the majority.
Current regulations stipulate that managers of residential buildings built before the year 2000 are responsible for the protection of any pre-existing asbestos- this includes providing relevant training for staff.
Here we’ll be outlining the training requirements and providing some insight into our own training sessions, provided by our asbestos experts.
The Legal Requirements
For the legal requirements, we refer to Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It states that “Every employer must ensure that their employees are given adequate information, instruction and training where that employee is, or is liable to be, exposed to asbestos, or if that employee supervises such employees.”
It’s down to individual building managers to determine what level of training may be “adequate” for each person under their supervision. For example, Asbestos Awareness (Category A) training may be suitable for anyone who may encounter asbestos during the course of their work, but who isn’t required to work directly with it.
For anyone required to work with asbestos, higher-level training will be required to ensure their safety, as well as the safety of fellow workers, staff and residents.
Who Needs to Receive Training?
Essentially, anyone who works in the building, in any capacity, requires some training. Due to the level of risk involved with the disturbance of asbestos, everyone working in the building must be able to recognise it. They must also know what to do to protect themselves and others if they do find asbestos-containing materials on site.
There are three levels of training:
- Asbestos Awareness
- Non-Licensable Work with Asbestos (Including Notifiable Non-Licensed Work)
- Licensable Work with Asbestos
Depending on their roles, different staff and contractors will require different levels of training.
It’s worth noting that attending a training course alone does not mean that a person is “competent”. The HSE defines competency as something that is “developed over time by implementing and consolidating skills learnt during training, on-the-job learning, instruction and assessment.”
Asbestos Awareness Training
This is the most basic level of training, intended for those who may come into contact with asbestos-containing materials but wouldn’t intentionally handle it in the course of their work. It’s designed to help people avoid disturbing any asbestos they happen to come across.
Typically, people that fall into this category include:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Joiners
- Painters and decorators
- Plasterers
- Construction workers
- Roofers
- Gas, heating and ventilation engineers
- Telecommunication engineers
- Fire/burglar alarm installers
- Architects and surveyors
This level of training should cover:
- The properties and dangers of asbestos
- The different types, uses and likely locations of asbestos
- The ideal procedures to deal with an emergency
- How to avoid the risk of exposure
Those who will deal with asbestos during the course of their work will need this training, as well as the additional training described below.
Non-Licensable Work (Including Notifiable Non-Licensed Work)
This training is for anyone who will be working directly with asbestos. Tasks that require this training include:
- Drilling into asbestos-containing materials
- Laying cables in areas containing undamaged asbestos-containing materials
- Removing asbestos-containing floor tiles
- Cleaning or repairing asbestos-containing cement sheet roofing or cladding
This training should cover everything in the Awareness Training detailed above, plus:
- How to make suitable and sufficient assessments about the risk of exposure
- Safe work practices and control measures
- The selection and use of protective equipment
- Waste-handling procedures
- Emergency procedures
- The relevant legal requirements
- Circumstances when non-licensed work may be notifiable
The training should be geared towards the tasks required, so the list above is not set in stone. In addition to the training, employers should also make sure that these workers have seen a copy of the risk assessment, the plan of work and any results of air monitoring that may be applicable.
If requested, employers should also supply workers with the records for any control measures in place, their own personal health records, the results of any face-fit tests for respiratory protective equipment and a copy of their training record.
Licensable Work with Asbestos
Most of the time, licensed contractors will be required to work with asbestos. These are competent individuals who will need comprehensive training. The HSE guide for the licensable work with asbestos training is here along with their code of practice here.
In this instance, employers should supply workers with a copy of the risk assessment, the plan of work, the details of any air monitoring and details of the notification of work made to the enforcing authority.
Workers should also be supplied with the records for any control measures in place, their own personal health records, the results of any face-fit tests for respiratory protective equipment and a copy of the licence, plus anonymised information from collective health records.
4site Consulting Asbestos Awareness Training
Our experts deliver health and safety awareness training across a variety of subjects, including asbestos.
Our asbestos awareness sessions cover:
- What asbestos is, including the different types
- The dangers of asbestos
- Your duty to manage asbestos
- The different types of asbestos surveys available
- Explaining presumed/no access areas in your report and how to access these areas
Once the training is completed, we run a comprehensive Q&A session to answer any queries that may come to mind.
Delivered by our highly qualified asbestos experts, our course is specifically designed for property professionals and site-based staff. We supply a certificate of attendance to all participants for your CPD records.
Sessions run for 1-2 hours and are best suited to groups of 8-10. We can come to your offices or meet at a property you manage. You’re also welcome to come to our offices in Essex if that’s convenient for you.
To book a place for yourself or your team, contact us directly on 01376 572936 or email office@4siteconsulting.co.uk.
