The Asbestos Removal Contractors association (ARCA), committed to promoting standards within the UK asbestos abatement industry for its member companies joined forces with the Health and Safety executive (HSE) and other prominent stakeholders to support the campaign ‘Asbestos: The hidden killer’, which was aimed at making tradesmen aware of asbestos and the damage it can cause to their health and lives.
Not for nothing is asbestos called the hidden killer – large amounts of it were once used on new and refurbished buildings and often in places where you can’t easily see it. A lot of premises still contain some form of asbestos, and the danger is still there waiting for you if you are unprepared – especially if you’re in construction, maintenance, refurbishment and similar work.
When asbestos materials are damaged or disturbed they can release dangerous fibres which can cause serious illness if breathed in. So now mater how routine a job may seem, make sure you know where asbestos is hidden and what to do about it.
It is hard to believe that every week 20 tradesmen, including plumbers, joiners and electricians, die from asbestos related diseases caused simply by breathing in asbestos fibres. Asbestos-related disease is the biggest single cause of work-related deaths, and accounts for around 4000 deaths per year.
o More people die from asbestos-related disease per year than are killed on the roads
o Every week 20 tradesmen die from asbestos-related disease
o Every week 6 electricians die from asbestos-related disease
o Every week 6 joiners die from asbestos-related disease
o Every week 3 plumbers die from asbestos-related disease
o It can be present in any building built or refurbished before the year 2000
o The issue of asbestos has not gone with our forefathers - risks with asbestos still exist
o You may not realise it but you may be disturbing asbestos when you work
o Even today around 500,000 non-domestic buildings contain asbestos
o Generally, asbestos is only a risk if it is disturbed or damaged so that fibres are released into the air. If asbestos containing materials are in good condition and in a position where they are not going to be disturbed or damaged then it is safer to leave them where they are and ensure that the risks are managed
o The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 require mandatory information, instruction and training for anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos fibres at work
Don’t work if:
o You’re unsure whether asbestos is present – your employer or the customer should tell you;
o Asbestos is present but you have not been trained to work safely with it;
o The asbestos materials present are sprayed coatings, board or lagging on pipes and boilers – only a contractor with a licence should work on these.
Only work with asbestos if:
o You have had asbestos training, the work is properly planned and the right controls are in place (e.g. you have the right equipment);
o The materials are asbestos cement, textured coatings containing asbestos or others which do not need a licence.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: Every employer shall ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to those of his employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos.
The HSE’s Approved Code of Practice states that asbestos awareness training is the appropriate information instruction and training for persons who are liable to disturb asbestos during their everyday work, people such as:
• General maintenance staff
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Painters and decorators
• Joiners
• Fire and burglar alarm installers
ARCA is the leading supplier of asbestos awareness training aimed at building and maintenance workers. ARCA training enables employers to:
• Comply with the law
• Avoid prosecution and costly fines
• Avoid damaging local and national newspaper headlines
• Most importantly of all, protect the health of your employees.
ARCA trainers have considerable experience within the asbestos removal industry and understand the issues that are faced every day. The range of courses which ARCA have available is comprehensive. Each has been designed to ensure that your staffs acquire a real depth of knowledge and capability, equipping them to be effective from day one.
The courses that we offer, together with the range of delivery options, gives you the flexibility to choose your training agenda and delivery method to suit your business needs and budget.
To find out more or to arrange a no obligation meeting to discuss your employees asbestos awareness training needs pleas contact ARCA on 01283 531126.
