Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was used extensively in construction throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. It can cause cancer as well as other serious medical conditions. It helps to have some form of training if you know you or your staff may encounter asbestos. While we provide comprehensive online asbestos awareness courses for everyone, if you’re not sure what approach to take, use this article as a guide to better understand asbestos, what types are out there, and how i2comply can help you.
Why is asbestos bad?
Asbestos exposure is the number one cause of work-related deaths in the world. In the UK, asbestos-related diseases still kill around 5000 workers each year.
To learn more about the risks of asbestos you can read our article The importance of asbestos awareness training.
Types of asbestos training
There are three categories of asbestos training:
1. Category A – Asbestos awareness training
Asbestos awareness training is a requirement for employees who might come in contact with asbestos during their work. In general, it explains what asbestos is, what to do if you discover asbestos, and the dangers that asbestos exposure can cause.
Consider it the best overall approach when it comes to looking at risks, responsibilities and what to do in an Asbestos emergency. I2comply’s Category A course can be found here.
2. Category B – Non-licensed asbestos training
Non-licensed asbestos training provides more in-depth understanding of asbestos. These courses are for professionals whose work activity requires them to have direct contact with, or possible disturbance of, asbestos.
Consider it best suited for personnel who would be carrying out non-licensed work (think cleaning, drilling, minor maintenance) and may find themselves exposed to an asbestos risk.
3. Category C – Licensed asbestos training
Licensed asbestos training is required for high-risk work with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). This type of work must be done by a licensed contractor and includes work where exposure to asbestos is frequent or of long duration. It is an offence to undertake licensable tasks without an asbestos license, and it could lead to prosecution.
Consider it the best option if you or staff will carry out work where asbestos exposure is almost expected.
What are the current asbestos regulations?
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 define how to manage asbestos in the UK workplace.
Under the regulations, employers and business owners have a legal responsibility to assess the presence or condition of asbestos within their buildings. This includes:
- Identifying the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials
- Assessing the risks associated with asbestos
- Managing those risks
The regulations also require employers to provide asbestos awareness training to employees who may come into contact with asbestos during their work. Courses like ours aim to make this training convenient.
What is asbestos awareness training?
As mentioned above, asbestos awareness training is the most basic level of training. It is suitable for any employee who might be exposed to asbestos on their job.
An asbestos awareness training programme helps employees learn about the dangers of asbestos exposure. To know how to take precautions to minimise exposure and to understand what to do in case of an accidental release of asbestos fibres.
Typical roles that require the training would be:
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Electricians
- Construction workers
- Carpenters
- Maintenance Staff
- Plasterers
Choosing the right training course
As a business manager, you should learn about different levels of asbestos training and how to choose the right course. Here are some of the things you should think about:
1. Accessibility
The asbestos awareness training should avoid very technical terms that might confuse participants. Instead of complex explanations, it should offer real-world scenarios. The training course you choose for your employees must be accessible to everyone.
2. Provides Practical Knowledge
The right training course should teach employees what kind of buildings may contain asbestos, what materials may contains asbestos, what the health risks are of coming into contact with asbestos, and what steps to take if they encounter it. Remember that asbestos deaths are preventable, and a little bit of training can go a long way.
3. Offers Accredited Certification
The training should offer an accredited asbestos awareness certificate. This certificate should include logos from certification bodies like IATP or UKATA, which are both universally recognised by the construction industry and local authorities. It should also clearly include the training completion date and recommended renewal date.
4. Affordability
For small to medium businesses, choosing an affordable asbestos awareness training programme is vital. Even for larger businesses with many employees, there is no need to spend a small fortune on courses that offer the same information as more affordable options.
5. Convenience
Lastly, you do not want your employees to have to participate in face-to-face training sessions that last for hours on end. There are excellent training courses, that are totally online to maximise both efficiency and convenience. Online courses can be taken at a time that is convenient to your workforce and can be taken in multiple sessions. Employers also have the peace of mind that all their workforce receive the same high-quality content.
How often is asbestos awareness training required?
Workers should complete awareness training before starting any work that may disturb asbestos-containing materials. To ensure that workers are up to date with the latest safety procedures, refresher training must be provided on a yearly basis.
Why choose an online asbestos awareness course?
Online training is a cost-effective way of delivering training materials without the need for costly face-to-face sessions.
It is a flexible way to train your staff. That’s because employees complete the course at their own pace. They can set their schedule without needing to block out specific dates and travel to training centres. They are able to complete the training during a time that suits them.
The use of multimedia elements, like quizzes, videos, and images, helps to make online training engaging. When learners are engaged and interested, they are more likely to retain information.
Online training makes life easier for the employer and the employee. It is accessible, cost-effective, and reliable.
Get quality affordable online asbestos awareness training
As you have learnt exposure to asbestos can be life-threatening. Therefore, do not hesitate and train your workforce today.
With i2Comply, you will find our IATP-approved and RoSPA-assured online asbestos awareness training course is the right course for you as it:
- Complies with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
- Has been audited and approved by IATP
- Is assured by RoSPA Qualifications
- Includes audio voiceover
- Is 100% online training
Contact us today to learn more about our training services.
