Asbestos Training
Asbestos disposal is a very contentious subject and no one wants to have a site near their home, as historical evidence links asbestos with mesothelioma, a fatal lung disease. Nowadays, asbestos disposal is a very tightly regulated industry and workers on the sites are very highly trained and the very latest technology is used.
Storage and disposal methods
Residents near sites storing and disposing of asbestos waste need constant reassurance and asbestos training must be kept up to date. Disposal is carried out in sealed units; following storage, the waste is treated and double-bagged before being taken to a designated site. Local councils – a recent planning case has been heard in Chatham in Kent – are not keen to see asbestos disposal sites in their area, but accept that it must be done somewhere; stringent checks are made on a regular basis to ensure not only the safety of residents but of staff working with the asbestos.
Measuring the air
Asbestos fibres in the air should not exceed 0.1 asbestos fibres per cubic centimetre of air to be within guidelines. This amount is not ‘safe’, but merely a level set as being acceptable for short exposure. The required level should be as far below this as possible; anything more is against the law. Asbestos training covers the safe handling of the material but also how to use the equipment necessary for the constant monitoring of the air.
Boss Training Courses
Boss Training offers two courses for anyone who is likely to come into contact with asbestos. Employers should consider sending for training anyone who may have to deal with asbestos, even if this is an unlikely event – it is too late for training when the damage is done. The Asbestos Awareness Training course prepares staff by giving them the knowledge they need to recognize asbestos if they encounter it and what to do next. This course can be delivered in the classroom, or conveniently you can do an online Asbestos Awareness e-learning course. Construction workers as well as electricians, plumbers and anyone installing any wiring such as alarms are most likely to come across asbestos but UKATA (the UK Asbestos Training Association) urges employers to err on the side of safety and send any staff that may be at risk for this training course, which lasts just three hours and could save lives.
Non-licensed removal
The removal of large quantities of asbestos must be handed over to experts, but small amounts, such as may be encountered in a small renovation, wiring or decoration job, can be tackled by non-licensed handlers, as long as they have attended a suitable course. The UKATA non-licensed asbestos removal course from Boss Training covers every aspect of safe handling of asbestos, including the all-important dust suppression and decontamination and fits a worker to keep themselves, colleagues and the public safe. This course is a whole day one, including practical training and ending with a course assessment. Successful trainees will be awarded the UKATA certificate of competence. Retraining at intervals is highly recommended – asbestos is a killer and must be treated with extreme care, so up-to-date skill levels are essential.