Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral composed of soft flexible fibers that are resistant to heat, electricity and corrosion. These qualities make the mineral useful. But they also make asbestos exposure highly toxic. Asbestos exposure can result in cancer and other dangerous diseases. Exposure has resulted in significant suffering and loss of life and therefore, it is important to increase your awareness. Find out more about asbestos awareness training and the courses available below.
Alarmingly, the HSE state that 20 tradespeople die each week on average from an asbestos-related disease. That’s around 450 or so per month. As opposed to 150 people dying on Britain’s roads… Symptoms often showing up after decades, around 15 -60 years later.
Did you know:
- There are around 5,500 asbestos related deaths every year. That’s 4 times as many annual fatalities as road traffic accidents.
- From Jan 1st 2000 the UK banned asbestos, and although over 50 countries prohibit the use of asbestos. It is still commonly used in some countries, such as India, China, Russia and Indonesia.
So, some do’s and don’ts.
You must never remove asbestos yourself. This is a highly specialised process that involves trained individuals with the correct equipment and waste control measures.
Asbestos accumulates in the body with every exposure, and there is no recognised way to reverse the damage it causes so the best way to stay safe is to avoid it at all costs.
Once asbestos has been disturbed, it becomes extremely harmful as the fibres released are inhaled. If you come into contact with what could be asbestos, DO NOT TOUCH IT!
Asbestos awareness training… who needs it and why?
Asbestos regulations place a legal obligation on employers in the UK to ensure that all staff likely to come into contact with an Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) during their normal course of work, should receive Asbestos Awareness training.
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 states that “every employer must ensure that any employee is given adequate information, instruction and training”. This obligation is enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which acts as the governing body for occupational health and safety across the UK.
Employers failing to provide Asbestos Awareness training for their staff face heavy fines should an accident occur on-site. The Health and Safety Executive take a dim view of non-compliance with regulations, and the fact that asbestos remains a serious danger to workers in the UK is reason enough to take health and safety responsibilities seriously.
Anyone who may come into contact with an ACM, or those managing personnel who may do so are numerous across all disciplines.
Including: Electricians, Painter & Decorators, Carpenters, Construction Workers, Plumbers, Plasterers, Gas Fitters, Joiners, Roofers, Demolition Workers, Shop Fitters, General Maintenance Workers, Telecommunication Engineers, HVAC Engineers, Surveyors, Alarm installers, IT installers, Architects, Caretakers.
Additionally, if the building you’re working in was built before the year 2000 or ANY year before have a legal obligation to undertake a formal asbestos awareness course such as this Shout Out Safety Asbestos Awareness Online course or the hugely popular Asbestos Awareness Refresher.
The 3 main types of Asbestos that you may have come into contact with:
Chrysotile (white asbestos) is the most commonly used form of asbestos. It can be found today in the roofs, ceilings, walls and floors of homes and businesses. Manufacturers also used chrysotile asbestos in automobile brake linings, gaskets and boiler seals, and insulation for pipes, ducts and appliances.
Amosite (brown asbestos) was used most frequently in cement sheets and pipe insulation. It can also be found in insulating board, ceiling tiles and thermal insulation products.
Crocidolite (blue asbestos) was commonly used to insulate steam engines. It was also used in some spray-on coatings, pipe insulation, plastics and cement products.
The course complies with Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and L143 Code of Practice – ‘Managing and Working with Asbestos’.
This is Asbestos Awareness Training – no-one wins if the trainee isn’t concentrating. Shout Out Safety courses are entertaining exactly because we’re serious about Health & Safety training. Learning is easier when people are engaged (and they engage much more when they’re entertained!)
