Don’t forget your legal duty to provide asbestos awareness training

Asbestos awareness training (2)

Asbestos awareness training enables workers who are likely to come into contact with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) to recognise and avoid disturbing them. In doing so, they protect their own health and safety, as well as that of their co-workers and people nearby.

This type of training is particularly important for tradespeople and construction-related workers, including plumbers, electricians, plasterers, and joiners, but also others involved in work with older buildings, such as architects, engineers, and surveyors.

So what does asbestos awareness training involve, and how is it undertaken?

What does asbestos awareness training cover?

Asbestos awareness training covers such areas as:

  • Which materials encase asbestos
  • Why asbestos is dangerous
  • What exactly asbestos is
  • Where asbestos is likely to be located
  • Diseases associated with exposure to asbestos
  • Asbestos regulations in the UK
  • How to deal with the unexpected release of asbestos

The UK Asbestos Training Association, or UKATA, is the body that sets the standards in asbestos training, and ensures training providers have the right knowledge and experience to deliver the course.

How is asbestos awareness training carried out?

Face-to-face courses taken in a classroom setting typically offer candidates the best opportunity to ask questions and receive immediate feedback, and there’s a multiple choice test at the end.

On passing the exam a certificate is awarded, and this demonstrates candidates’ commitment to health and safety in their work environment. Follow-up or booster training is also recommended at regular intervals to make sure any new information on asbestos or asbestos best-practices is dispensed.

Why is asbestos awareness training so important?

The number of older buildings in the UK means that asbestos remains a significant threat to health and safety, particularly for those working with the fabric of these buildings. Asbestos was widely used from the 1950s onwards and wasn’t banned until the end of 1999.

This means ACMs could be present in any building constructed before this date, and given their age, may be in poor condition. Once asbestos fibres are released, they’re easily inhaled and can set up asbestos disease that only materialises decades later.

This is why asbestos awareness training is crucial for anyone working in older buildings, and although tradespeople are more likely to disturb asbestos materials, other people who work there every day – school teachers and admin staff, for example, would also benefit from taking these courses.

The importance of asbestos awareness training

In the past, little knowledge was passed down to those most likely to be exposed to asbestos, and as a consequence, the mortality rate from asbestos-related disease remains high. In 2017, there were 2,526 people who died from mesothelioma – an aggressive form of lung cancer attributed to asbestos exposure.

For more information on asbestos awareness training and how it can help you and your employees, please contact Acorn Analytical Solutions. We’re a nationwide asbestos consultancy offering asbestos training, surveys, testing, and asbestos removal, and can offer you a fast quote online.

Neil Munro

I work in a dual role at Acorn Analytical Services focused primarily on growing and leading the business from our Northampton office base. My focus is on overseeing all sales, marketing and financial activities from Northampton. I assist clients with high-level asbestos management strategies and training. Together with Ian Stone I host our weekly podcast – Asbestos Knowledge Empire and I'm Co-author of Asbestos The Dark Arts and Fear and Loathing of Health and Safety.

Need Help? Request a Call Back

Request a call back from one of our expert Asbestos Consultants who will help you identify what you need

More Asbestos Articles

Asbestos isn't a headache with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

Asbestos isn’t a problem with the Acorn Compliance Antidote

AT Acorn Analytical Services we’re probably best known for the work we do supporting businesses with asbestos surveys and asbestos management. But did you also know that we offer a full package of health and safety services through our Acorn Compliance Antidote? The antidote is the perfect way to get all your health and safety … Read more

Asbestos consultancy celebrates the opening of new regional office

Asbestos company celebrates the opening of new regional office in Wolverhampton

EARLIER this month the team at Acorn Analytical Services was delighted to welcome the Deputy Mayor of Wolverhampton, Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre and the Deputy Mayoress, Lynn Plant to the opening of our new asbestos management office in Wolverhampton. It was a very proud day for regional manager, Lewis Scott and his team, and Acorn’s … Read more

Emma Gooding, one of our women in construction

Women in Construction: Highlighting the work of two incredible women at the heart of our team

HIGHLY-SKILLED, talented women in construction are right at the heart of Acorn Analytical Services’ success, taking on key roles within our business and leading the fight against the UK’s asbestos epidemic. In recent years, many more women in construction have chosen to take on roles within the asbestos industry and at Acorn we do everything … Read more

Asbestos Book

Asbestos: The Dark Arts – essential reading for anyone involved in health and safety this World Book Day

AS well as being part of one of the UK’s leading asbestos consultancies, Acorn Analytical Services’ directors Ian Stone and Neil Munro have also written best-selling books on asbestos and health and safety. The books, which include their five-star rated title Asbestos: The Dark Arts, have quickly become essential reading to anyone involved in facilities … Read more

Asbestos bitesize training sessions for you and your business

Asbestos: Free bitesize sessions from the experts at Acorn will help keep your team protected from this hidden killer

IT may have been banned from new buildings more than 20 years ago but asbestos still poses a huge threat to the health and wellbeing of our society. Thousands of buildings – including many schools – still contain asbestos which can go on to cause deadly cancer if it is damaged or disturbed releasing microscopic … Read more

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining star

Asbestos analyst Jake is a shining example of how apprenticeships can be a huge success for everyone

IT’S National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to celebrate than by shining the spotlight on asbestos analyst, Jake Newell. Jake joined Acorn Analytical Services as an apprentice in 2021 and since then he has completed his training, shown outstanding commitment and dedication to his role and been recognised for his efforts by winning – … Read more

2022 - A big year in the fight against asbestos

2022: A big year for Acorn Analytical Services in the fight against a hidden killer

2022 was a big year for the team of experts at multi award-winning asbestos management consultancy, Acorn Analytical Services. It was a year which saw the business grow and develop, we took on new staff and we helped support businesses, charities and organisations right across the UK by helping to manage their asbestos and raise … Read more

Asbestos awareness: Education is key

Asbestos awareness: ‘Educating the public is key’

WHEN it comes to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos, education and training are absolutely key. With so much advice out there, it can be difficult to know where to turn for information you can trust and training which is tailored to suit your individual needs. To mark national Day of Education, the team … Read more

Asbestos is a big problem on the high street

Asbestos on the high street continues to dominate the headlines

The headlines have once again been dominated this week by stories of high street premises which have been affected by asbestos. In November, Acorn Analytical Services shone a spotlight on the growing epidemic in towns and cities across the UK and urged companies and shop owners to put the safety of their staff and customers … Read more

Reducing asbestos in schools should be a clear priority

‘Reducing asbestos in schools should be our first priority’

FOR many years the team at Acorn Analytical Services has been calling for full asbestos risk assessments to be carried out in schools right across the UK. With many schools having been built during the post-war period when the use of asbestos was at its highest, we fear that many school buildings still contain the … Read more