Asbestos can still be found in many buildings across the UK, particularly those built or refurbished before 2000.
For workers who carry out maintenance, construction or other work that could disturb the fabric of a building, there is a risk of accidentally coming into contact with asbestos-containing materials.
This is where Asbestos Awareness Training becomes important.
But who actually needs asbestos awareness training, and what does it teach employees?
What Is Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos awareness training is designed for workers who may encounter asbestos during their normal work.
It helps employees understand what asbestos is, where it may be found, the health risks associated with exposure and what they should do if they suspect asbestos is present.
When asbestos-containing materials are in good condition and left undisturbed, they may present little risk. However, activities such as drilling, cutting, sanding or removing materials can release asbestos fibres into the air.
Breathing in these fibres can cause serious health conditions, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer.
Training helps workers recognise the potential danger before a material is disturbed.
Who Needs Asbestos Awareness Training?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, employers must provide appropriate information, instruction and training to employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos.
Asbestos awareness training is particularly relevant for people who may disturb asbestos-containing materials during their work, including:
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Painters and decorators
- Plasterers
- Heating and ventilation engineers
- Construction workers
- Roofing contractors
- Maintenance workers
- Telecommunications engineers
- Fire and security alarm installers
- Building and facilities maintenance teams
Supervisors and managers responsible for employees who may encounter asbestos should also have appropriate knowledge and training.
Ultimately, it isn’t just about someone’s job title. Employers should consider whether the work an employee carries out could result in them accidentally disturbing asbestos-containing materials.
Need Asbestos Awareness Training?
If your employees could encounter asbestos during their work, make sure they understand the risks before work begins.
Online Training Store provides convenient online Asbestos Awareness Training, allowing employees to complete their training online at a time that suits them.
Where Could Workers Encounter Asbestos?
Asbestos was widely used in UK construction before it was banned in 1999.
As a result, workers carrying out maintenance, refurbishment or construction-related activities in buildings built or refurbished before 2000 should be particularly aware of the potential risk.
Asbestos-containing materials can potentially be found in areas such as:
- Insulation and pipe lagging
- Asbestos insulating board
- Sprayed coatings
- Ceiling tiles
- Textured coatings
- Roofing materials
- Asbestos cement products
Workers should never assume that a material is safe simply because they cannot identify asbestos by looking at it.
Before work begins, relevant asbestos information, registers or surveys should be checked where applicable.
What Does Asbestos Awareness Training Cover?
Asbestos awareness training helps employees understand:
- What asbestos is and why it is dangerous
- The health effects of asbestos exposure
- Where asbestos-containing materials may be found
- Activities that could accidentally disturb asbestos
- How to reduce the risk of exposure
- What to do if asbestos is suspected or accidentally disturbed
One of the most important messages is knowing when to stop work.
If a worker encounters a material they suspect could contain asbestos, they should not continue disturbing it. They should stop work and follow the appropriate workplace or site procedures.
Does Asbestos Awareness Training Allow You to Remove Asbestos?
No.
Asbestos awareness training is designed to help workers avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos. It does not provide the training or competence required to intentionally work on or remove asbestos-containing materials.
Employees who undertake work involving asbestos require additional training appropriate to the work and certain higher-risk asbestos activities must be carried out by appropriately licensed contractors.
This distinction is important when deciding which asbestos training employees require.
How Often Should Asbestos Awareness Training Be Refreshed?
Asbestos awareness training shouldn’t simply be completed once and forgotten.
Refresher training should be provided where necessary to ensure employees’ knowledge remains current.
This may be particularly important where working practices or responsibilities change, new procedures are introduced or there is evidence that an employee’s knowledge needs refreshing.
Employers should ensure employees continue to understand the risks and know what to do if they encounter suspected asbestos.
Help Protect Your Employees From Asbestos Risks
Asbestos remains a risk because it can still be present in many older buildings across the UK.
Workers carrying out seemingly routine activities – such as drilling a wall, accessing a ceiling void or carrying out maintenance – could potentially disturb asbestos if appropriate precautions haven’t been taken.
Providing suitable Asbestos Awareness Training helps employees recognise potential asbestos risks and understand when they should stop work and seek further information.
