As asbestos is known to pose dangerous risks to human health and its use is now banned in the UK, it could not be more important to be aware of asbestos, where it is found and its hazards. These are key goalsAwareness to asbestos, which also covers areas such as the procedures to be followed in the event of an uncontrolled release of asbestos and the prevention and management of asbestos risks.
However, it is also vital that organizations investing in asbestos awareness training for their employees are well informed of the costs associated with this form of training. So what exactly do you need to know?
What is a UKATA certified course?
The UK Asbestos Training Association, orCUT, is a widely trusted authority on asbestos education, including asbestos awareness training. This non-profit association authorizes its members to provide asbestos awareness training courses that comply with current HSE legislation and regularly monitors its approved training providers to ensure they continue to do so.
So choosing a UKATA certified course gives you peace of mind that this is a form of training which has been assessed and recognized by the association to be of high quality and is being delivered by a reputable and competent training provider.
Why do I need asbestos awareness training?
Before we proceed, it is important to emphasize what asbestos awareness training is and is not. UKATA approved asbestos awareness training to help employees avoid work that could interfere with asbestos-containing materials (ACM); It is not training to work physically with any form of asbestos.
For those who receive training to work with this highly hazardous material, asbestos awareness training can be the first part of that training. However, asbestos awareness training alone does not meet the legal requirements for direct work with the substance as outlined in the Asbestos Control Regulations 2012 (CAR).
In its syllabuses for asbestos awareness courses, UKATA states that this course should be attended by a wide range of managers and business staff, including trainees. Examples you give include but are not limited to construction workers, general tradesmen, plumbers, electricians, gas workers, carpenters, painters and decorators, roofers, plasterers, telecommunications technicians, HVAC technicians and many more. .
Such professionals would only be exempt from asbestos awareness training if their employer can demonstrate that the work is only carried out in or on buildings where no ACM is in place.
There are some other professionals, such as architects and building surveyors, who may need a more developed course consisting of the core syllabus of the UKATA approved Asbestos Awareness course plus a module covering the interaction between the various duties under the Design and Building Supervision Regulations and the CAR.
Asbestos awareness training (Category A) is not just a moral imperative to minimize the risks of asbestos exposure; It is also legal for anyone who may encounter asbestos but is not required to work with it. This is clarified in CAR Regulation 10, which states that "each employer must ensure that [its] employees receive adequate information, instruction and training if that employee is or may be exposed to asbestos, or if such employee is supervising those employees."
It should be noted that the syllabuses for UKATA approved asbestos awareness training only relate to asbestos awareness training under paragraphs 232 and 233 of the associated approved code of practice.
What will the course teach me?
Whichever asbestos awareness training course you ultimately choose, and whichever training provider you are UKATA certified by, you can be assured that it will cover the minimum content set out in the UKATA syllabus for this type of training. Whilst training providers may provide individual or one-on-one training during the remainder of each training session, any UKATA approved asbestos awareness training course must meet the required core content.
A UKATA-certified asbestos education course will teach you about the nature and properties of asbestos and the effects this substance can have on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer that smokers can pose.
You can also expect this course to teach you about the types and uses of asbestos and where the material is likely to be found in buildings. In addition, this form of training will educate you on how to avoid asbestos risks by understanding:
- Where to find out about asbestos on the site before work begins;
- What to do if suspicious materials are found;
- How to take appropriate precautions in the workplace, including the risk assessment process, or get advice on precautions in the workplace related to asbestos hazards;
- Work safely and without endangering yourself or others
Attending a UKATA certified asbestos training course will also provide you with knowledge of the key aspects of asbestos legislation and its place in the broader context of health and safety legislation.
Finally, you can also rest assured that you know what procedures should be followed in the event someone accidentally comes into contact with ACMs and what emergency precautions are appropriate.
How long is the course and how long is it valid?
A UKATA approved asbestos awareness training course consists of three to four hours of contact time. It is recommended that participants on such a course arrange some form of refresher training every 12 months to ensure their knowledge of asbestos is maintained.
However, the exact frequency with which refresher training should be ordered depends on the needs of the individual. If you are responsible for workers who are likely to be particularly exposed to asbestos in the course of their work, you should consider organizing refresher training more frequently than every 12 months.
Since most asbestos awareness certificates only have one year to expire, it is important to consider this aspect when comparing asbestos awareness training options.
Where are the courses held?
Because of this, we can also come to your location to conduct the training if that better suits your circumstances and needs. Additionally, we have recently started offering online training to maintain responsible social distancing during the current COVID-19 situation; Please do not hesitateContact us todaythrough our industry-recognized training.
How much does an asbestos education course cost?
Your training can cost from £45 per person, but the amount you end up paying for an asbestos awareness course can vary depending on where you take the course and how many people attend. It is therefore important to carefully consider the relevance and quality of the course and training provider you are interested in and ensure you are always comparing 'like with like'.
Choosing online training rather than classroom training can save you some of the travel costs associated with asbestos awareness training.
Alternatively, you may prefer personal training. In this case we can deliverAwareness to asbestosat our training center in Northampton, which can accommodate up to 15 participants, at a price of just £45 per person excluding VAT.
When figuring out which asbestos awareness training option offers the best value for money, whether you plan to do it yourself or invest for your staff, it is important to consider not only the main price or even the content of the course. , but also how the course is taught. Here at Oracle Solutions, we pride ourselves on delivering asbestos training that is as compelling and memorable as it is practical and informative.
The key points of a UKATA certified asbestos education course
- HSE approved
- Legally compliant with current regulations
- Held in person or online
- Celebrated across the UK
- Costs from just £45 (+VAT) per person
Written by Jess Scott
Jess Scott has been a comprehensive asbestos consultant since 1996. That's almost 3 decades of asbestos knowledge. He spends his time sharing this knowledge with the Oracle team and his customers. Jess' goal is, and always has been, to use my experience to help people comply with the law. This legal compliance ultimately helps protect everyone from the harmful effects of asbestos. Jess has acted as an asbestos expert in legal cases and is involved in many asbestos awareness-raising activities across the UK.