Why is Asbestos Awareness Training Required?

Asbestos awareness training is a requirement for anyone whose work could potentially expose them to asbestos, including project managers.

Asbestos awareness training is mandatory for all workers in demolition trades and those in the refurbishment, maintenance and allied trades such as electricians, plumbers, engineers, building maintenance managers or construction workers who could potentially be exposed to asbestos containing materials during their work.

During intrusive work, asbestos containing materials (ACM’s) may become exposed, it is important the worker knows what to look for and the correct measures to reduce exposure if this happens.

Exemption from asbestos awareness only applies where employers demonstrate work will only be carried out on buildings free of asbestos containing materials (ACM’s). This information should be available in the client’s Asbestos Management Plan.

Asbestos Awareness Refresher Training

Asbestos Awareness Training must be kept up to date and it is a requirement that training must be refreshed at a minimum of every twelve months.

EMS offers refresher courses which can be delivered at our training premises or at a venue of your choice.

EMS is also able to offer online asbestos refresher training. The online course and test can be completed within an hour, using any internet enabled device and will result in you receiving certification upon successful completion of the test at the end of the course.

The course can be purchased as a one off using our one click-to-buy system and can also be used for multiple users in a corporate setting to allow multiple users access to the course and test.

Non-Licensed asbestos training covers the following topics

1. The operations which could result in asbestos exposure and the importance of preventive controls to minimise exposure

2. How to make suitable and sufficient assessments of the risk of exposure to asbestos

3. The control limit and the purpose of air monitoring

4. Safe work practices, control measures and protective equipment including an explanation on how the correct use of control measures, protective equipment and work methods can reduce the risks from asbestos, limit exposure to workers and limit the spread of asbestos fibres outside the work area

5. The maintenance of control measures and where relevant the maintenance of enclosures

6. Procedures for recording, reporting and correcting defects

7. The appropriate purpose, choice and correct selection from a range of suitable RPE including any limitations

8. The correct use and where relevant, cleaning, maintenance and safe storage of RPE and PPE, in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and information

9. The importance of achieving and maintaining a good seal between face and RPE, the relevance of fit tests, and the importance of being clean-shaven

10. Hygiene requirements such as facial hair

11. Decontamination procedures

12. Waste collection and handling procedures

13. Emergency procedures such as asbestos fibre release

14. Which work requires an HSE licence

15. An introduction to the relevant Regulations, Approved Codes of Practice and guidance that apply to asbestos work and other Regulations that deal with the carriage and disposal of asbestos

16. For analysts, personal sampling and leak and clearance sampling techniques

17. Other work hazards including working at height, electrical, slips, trips and falls