Asbestos awareness training needs to be reviewed and refreshed regularly to ensure ongoing safety and compliance. In most cases, UKATA asbestos awareness training should be reviewed at least once every 12 months. However, specific requirements can vary depending on local regulations or workplace policies.
Here are some factors that might trigger a review of asbestos awareness:
- Legal or regulatory updates: If there are changes to local laws or regulations regarding asbestos, a review should be conducted to ensure compliance.
- Workplace changes: If there are changes in the workplace, such as new construction or renovation work, or if employees’ roles change, a review of asbestos awareness training may be needed.
- Accident or near-miss: If there’s an incident involving asbestos exposure, training should be reviewed, and additional awareness might be necessary.
- Employee turnover: New employees should undergo asbestos awareness training, and if employees in roles where exposure risk exists leave, a review may be warranted to ensure continuity of safe practices.
It’s important to keep track of when training was last completed, ensuring that all workers are up to date on the necessary safety measures.
UKATA Asbestos awareness training is essential for anyone who might come into contact with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) during their work activities, even if their job doesn’t involve handling asbestos directly. The goal of the training is to help workers recognize potential asbestos hazards and understand how to safely avoid exposure.
Here are some of the groups of people who typically need asbestos awareness training:
- Construction Workers
- This includes labourers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and demolition workers who might work in buildings that could contain asbestos.
- They need to be aware of the risk, how to identify potential asbestos-containing materials, and how to minimize exposure.
- Maintenance and Facility Management Workers
- People who maintain or repair buildings (such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians, electricians, and maintenance staff) should be trained to recognize asbestos hazards and handle any work involving ACMs.
- Building Surveyors and Inspectors
- Professionals who inspect and assess buildings for maintenance, renovation, or demolition purposes need to know about asbestos and how to identify materials that may contain it.
- Demolition and Renovation Workers
- Workers involved in the demolition, refurbishment, or renovation of older buildings (pre-2000) need to be aware of asbestos risks as these materials are more likely to be present in older buildings.
- Emergency Responders
- Firefighters, police officers, and other emergency personnel who might respond to accidents or situations where asbestos could be disturbed (such as fires or building collapses) need to understand the risks and safety measures.
- Health and Safety Personnel
- Safety officers and other employees who are responsible for managing workplace health and safety need to be aware of the potential presence of asbestos in the workplace and the procedures for handling it.
- Cleaners
- Cleaning staff, especially in older buildings, need to be trained to avoid disturbing asbestos materials and to recognize potential risks in the course of their work.
- Workers in Older Buildings
- Anyone who works in or near older buildings (particularly those built before the 1980s) may need to receive training on asbestos awareness to ensure that they can identify risks and work safely.
- Employers and Managers
- Employers, managers, and supervisors should understand the importance of asbestos awareness to ensure that their teams are trained and safe.
- Others with Potential Exposure Risk
- Anyone who could be exposed to asbestos fibers in their daily work, whether it’s during maintenance, repairs, or in proximity to work being done on a building, should undergo asbestos awareness training.
UKATA asbestos awareness covers
- Recognizing asbestos-containing materials
- Understanding the risks of asbestos exposure
- Knowing what to do if asbestos is found or disturbed
- Safe practices to minimize exposure
At SAMS we offer UKATA asbestos awareness training either in the class room or online please follow this link for more information UKATA Asbestos Awareness Course Online: £6.50 pp