Asbestos Awareness Certificates from Casa Environmental Services
In this blog from the team at Casa Environmental Services, we discuss everything you need to know about asbestos awareness certificates and training.
What is an Asbestos Awareness Certificate?
An asbestos awareness certificate is awarded to anyone who attends and passes a certified asbestos awareness training course.
What is Asbestos Awareness Training?
The purpose of asbestos awareness training is to inform anyone who may potentially in the course of their work come into contact with asbestos containing materials. It provides information on how to avoid direct contact with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and what to do if any asbestos is accidentally disturbed during any normal work.
The training does not provide attendees with sufficient information to carry out work with ACMs. Those who intend to perform work that will disturb ACMs require further training and instruction and, for certain asbestos types, will need to be licensed by the HSE.
What is Included in Asbestos Awareness Training?
Generally the following issues are covered during asbestos awareness training ,
- The history of asbestos and why it was used so commonly in buildings erected pre-2000
- The different types of asbestos and the main ones likely to be encountered in the UK
- The health risks of asbestos
- The mitigating factors that can affect the damage asbestos can cause to the body
- Information on current legislation and guidance surrounding asbestos
- Where asbestos is most likely to be found (e.g. lagging, floor tiles and insulating boards)
- Assistance in how to identify suspect materials
- How to work safely where ACMs may be present and how to avoid the risk of accidental exposure
- What to do should accidental damage occur – including how to instigate emergency procedures, reduce the risk of exposure to others and how to isolate the area affected.
Who Needs an Asbestos Awareness Certificate?
In order to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, all persons who may potentially come into contact with asbestos through their work must receive asbestos awareness training. Certain occupations, particularly those whose work may disturb the fabric of a building and thus expose ACMs , are more likely to be exposed to asbestos than others.
Examples of those who are more likely to encounter asbestos include demolition workers, electricians, plumbers, painters, gas fitters, plasterers and roofers.
All employers must provide adequate training for anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos fibres in the workplace. This requirement applies to self-employed individuals as well.
How Long Does an Asbestos Certificate Last?
Asbestos Awareness Certificates expire after one year.
Although there is no legal requirement to repeat an entire awareness training course after 12 months, it is recommended that workers attend refresher training on a regular basis in order to ensure awareness is maintained and up to date.
UKATA Asbestos Awareness Certificate
The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is a leading authority on asbestos training dedicated to ensuring high standards of asbestos training are maintained across the UK. They have over 180 members throughout the UK, (including Casa Environmental Services), all of whom provide the highest level of asbestos awareness training.
All training providers are audited to ensure facilities comply with stringent standards and they all follow a standard core syllabus. All training providers and tutors are assessed and audited to ensure the training is compliant with UKATA standards before accreditation is granted. Trainers should have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working within the asbestos industry and must be able to demonstrate a comprehensive practical working knowledge of the asbestos industry and also legislation relating to it.
How to Get an Asbestos Awareness Certificate?
If you require Asbestos Awareness Training and subsequently a Training Certificate for your staff please don’t hesitate to get in touch with Casa Environmental Services today. We are fully accredited to undertake asbestos awareness training by UKATA at competitive prices and can deliver the training either at a venue chosen by you or at one of our offices in Bristol, Southampton, Plymouth or Truro.
Asbestos Awareness Certificates with Casa Environmental Services
For more information on asbestos awareness certificates, or to book your training course, contact Casa Environmental Services. Our experienced and UKATA qualified consultants will provide you and your team with a comprehensive training course that covers all the information you need to perform your job safely.
For a no-obligation quote, contact us today.
We offer a wide range of asbestos and analytical services including surveying, management plans and consultancy and are perfectly positioned to provide you with the training you need.
See more: Asbestos Encapsulation – What is it and is it Right for Your Building?
