Asbestos Awareness Course

Overview

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, Regulation 10 requires every employer to ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to their employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such employees.

Asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. In particular, it should be given to all demolition workers and those workers in the refurbishment, maintenance and allied trades where it is foreseeable that their work will disturb the fabric of the building because ACMs may become exposed during their work. Exemption from this requirement would apply only where the employer can demonstrate that work will only be carried out in or on buildings free of ACMs.

Objectives

On successful completion of this safety course, delegates should be able to:

• Have an increased awareness of the nature and properties of asbestos and it’s effects on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke;
• Be familiar with types, uses and likely occurrences of asbestos in buildings and where appropriate items of plant;
• Know how to avoid the risks from asbestos by understanding;

1. Where to obtain information on asbestos in premises prior to commencing work;
2. What to do if suspicious materials are found;
3. How to use appropriate workplace precautions, including the risk assessment process, or seek advice on workplace precautions, in respect of the risks of asbestos;
4. Undertake work activities in a safe manner and without risk to themselves or others.

• Have an awareness of the general legislation in relation to health and safety and asbestos in particular.
• Procedures to be followed when coming into unintentional contact with ACM’s and an understanding of the appropriate emergency arrangements.

Agenda

This Asbestos Awareness course will cover the following topics: -

• History of asbestos
• Types of asbestos
• Health hazards associated with asbestos
• Products & Materials
• Duty to manage - CAWR 2006
• Asbestos - management options

Assessment

All delegates will be required to sit a short written test.  Successful candidates will received a certificate of attendance.

Candidates will be required to achieve a score of at least 11 out of 15 in the examination. Failure to achieve this will result in the candidate requiring to re-sit the examination under exam conditions. If a candidate further fails the second attempt then they will require to re-sit the course in its entirety.

Who Should Attend?

Asbestos awareness training is legally required for anyone who may be exposed to asbestos containing materials during their working activities and those that supervise their work activities. The training is also useful for anyone requiring a better understanding of the basic elements of asbestos in buildings and is a good "stepping stone" to more in-depth courses.

Suggested Progression

Architects, building surveyors and other such professionals may require a more developed course which includes the core syllabus in this course, however with an additional module which includes the interaction between the various duties under the Construction Design and Management Regulations and those within CAR.