Asbestos Matters - no other matters just Asbestos Matters

In today's competitive and fast-paced construction landscape, safety should never be compromised. One crucial aspect often overlooked is asbestos awareness training. While asbestos use has significantly declined due to its health risks, it remains a present danger in older buildings and construction materials. This makes asbestos awareness not just beneficial but indispensable for anyone involved in the construction industry.

What Is Asbestos?

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral used for its strength and fire-resistant properties. However, when its fibres become airborne and are inhaled, they can lead to severe health problems such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, and asbestosis. This makes it imperative for construction workers to understand the hazards associated with asbestos and how to deal with them safely.

Regulatory Compliance

In the UK, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 stipulates that employers must provide adequate training to workers who are likely to be exposed to asbestos. Non-compliance can result in hefty fines or even legal repercussions, making asbestos awareness training not just an ethical but also a legal requirement.

The Role of Online Asbestos Awareness Training

While traditional training programmes are still prevalent, online asbestos awareness training courses are increasingly becoming the norm. They offer flexibility, allowing participants to complete the course at their convenience. This is particularly beneficial for construction firms operating on tight schedules.

UKASL’s online asbestos awareness training modules are designed to impart comprehensive knowledge tailored to the unique needs of construction professionals. By investing in our training, you not only ensure compliance with legal standards but also equip your workforce with the skills needed to identify and manage asbestos-related risks effectively.

Skill Building and Practical Benefits

A well-rounded asbestos awareness training programme focuses on:

• Identifying different types of asbestos and their uses


• Understanding the health risks associated with asbestos exposure


• Recognising asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in the workplace


• Implementing safe work practices to minimise risk

These skills not only protect your employees but also safeguard your business from potential liabilities.  UKASL provides comprehensive accredited and approved online and onsite asbestos awareness training throughout the UK and our mobile internet technology will allow you or your employees to access the court at home, office or even on the move using 5G and wifi technology.

Q. Does the e-Learning asbestos awareness course comply with Law and satisfy my client or employer?

A. Your legal requirements are laid down in Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 which place a duty on employers to provide information, instruction and training on asbestos. The Approved Code of Practice L143 details the various types of training required and paragraphs 126 and 127 detail the specific requirements for asbestos awareness training and states that it should cover topics in appropriate detail, by means of both written and oral presentation, and by demonstration as necessary.
The Asbestos Specialists e-Learning asbestos awareness course does indeed meet the need of Approved Code of Practice L143, as it contains written (presentation) content, the same content as we provide on an in-house face-to-face training courses. The content follows the recommended syllabus as laid down within the ACoPL143. We also include comprehensive oral instructional and presentational narrated voice-overs that are consistent and can be replayed as often as the learner requires and of course we supply visual demonstration in the form of videos, photographs and interactive user friendly learning. The course specifically designed to comply with these legal requirements by competent industry experts with many years experience in all aspects of asbestos training. We also ensured that the e-learning format was also designed and constructed by experts within the ‘virtual learning’ sector.
Q. Do I need to be a ‘computer expert’ to do the course?
A. Definitely not! The course was designed with simplicity in mind. We understand that even today some people find the internet and using computers a little daunting so we designed the programme to be user friendly and simple to navigate. The course is compatible with Windows and all other computer systems and formats. You can use either a laptop or desktop PC to complete the training, and the only additional equipment would be a set of speakers, (although most computers will have built in speakers) which will be suitable for the audio content of the training course. The course is also compatible with most modern smart phones and tablets.
Q. How long does the course take to complete?
A. It is entirely up to you! Once you’re on the course and you are comfortable with the navigation etc, you can spend as long as you want! However we recommend that you allocate approximately 60-90 minutes to comfortably complete the course.

Q. Is there test for me to complete?
A. It is extremely good e-learning practice to include an ‘assessment’ or ‘test’ on any e-learning training course. You will be asked questions after each section that you complete as you go through the course. You will also need to complete an end of course assessment that comprises of 15 multiple choice questions.

Q. Can I fail the course?
A. You can fail, but it is unlikely, and even if you do we will give you a total of 2 attempts to pass. In the unlikely event that you fail both attempts, we will offer you an alternative way of gaining an asbestos awareness certificate.


Q. How soon can I get my certificate?
A. When you successfully complete the course, your certification is sent through to the email address that you entered whilst registering. If you don’t think that you have received this email, be sure to check your junk/spam files before getting in touch.


And Finally…
Its now up to you.
Just remember: no matter what type of training you as an employer or self employed person may undertake, you are legally required to ensure that the course that you do obtain fulfills your duties laid down in requirements of the relevant legislation. You must ensure that the course is designed and provided by competent and independently audited training providers.
Standards have to be met; we believe that The Asbestos Specialists meets those standards. We have invested heavily in training materials and systems to ensure that we help you to meet all of your legal requirements.
Our e-Learning asbestos awareness training course meets legal requirements for content and consistency, many do not!. So be aware that if you obtain and use an asbestos awareness e-Learning course YOU must ensure that it meets the standards - where it does not, the threat of enforcement could be waiting. As a company striving to be the best, in 2011, we came up with our tag line: ”...It is better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation...” and we stand by it!

Just recently implemented and still going through a transitional time scale to allow compliance, we thought it would be a good idea to let our extensive list of corporate clients know about the main changes to the Construction Design &
Management Regulations (CDM).

1.

The Regulations have created a new position/role called the “Principal Designer’. The role of principal designer doesn’t have to be an individual; it can also be an organisation. To fulfil the role of the Principal Designer, the person or the organisation must be a designer on the project and be in a position to have control and influence over the design. The Principal Designer will have the authority to influence the management of health and safety on the CDM project.

It is anticipated that the Principal Designer will be an existing member of the design team and will have responsibility for the pre-construction phase of the project.

2.

With these new Regulations the role of the CDM Co-ordinator is to be removed. The ‘old role’ of the CDM Co-ordinator will be split between the Principal Designer, the client and the Principal Contractor.

3.

An important note to make is that under CDM 2015 the client is given more responsibility. These additional responsibilities/duties are intended to reflect their ability to set standards for a project and to increase their influence on the health and safety aspects throughout the life of a CDM project.

4.

Without many of the older exemptions its important to know that all of CDM 2015 will apply to projects, this is whether or not they are notifiable.

5.

Under the new CDM 2015 Regulations the notification requirements have been revised. Now its important that you know that the project needs to be notified to the HSE where it is scheduled to last more than 30 working days and have more than 20 workers on site at the same time (this is at any point in the project), or where it exceeds 500 person days. This change will mean that fewer projects will require the project notification. With regards to the notification it is now the client’s duty to ensure that this happens, if appropriate. The application of the notification will no longer give rise to any additional duties.

6.

In the previous CDM Regulations of 2007, only notifiable projects will have required a CDM co-ordinator, now however under the new CDM 2015 Regulations a principal designer MUST be appointed whenever there is more than one contractor working on a project.

7.

The previous duty laid down within CDM Regulations 2007, which applied to those appointing Duty-holders to ensure their competence is now amended. The requirement in CDM Regulations 2015 is now to ensure that they have the necessary skills, knowledge, experience and (where appropriate) organisational capability to fulfil the role that they are being appointed to.

8.

CDM 2015 will apply to all clients i.e. anyone for whom a construction project is carried out and so domestic clients will now also have duties under the Regulations (although those duties will differ from the duties on commercial clients). Domestic clients will be able to delegate their duties to a contractor or the principal designer.

Our Management of asbestos training courses will of course reflect these changes, we will also include these changes in our Management refresher courses, and our industry leading Duty to Manage Asbestos courses which are available online or at venues across the UK. If you need more information, just give our professional training advice team a call!

Trade Associations sit at the heart of their industry and offer many benefits to members. These benefits include money saving activities such as free advice on many issues, access to special rates through affinity services and regulatory cost avoidance, which can often cost a significant sum of money on the open market.

Associations are seen as the voice of their sector and able to represent all their members at every level. Associations therefore provide government and other authorities with the peace of mind that they are getting a fully considered view of what is good for the sector. This is an extremely powerful asset for members and as the membership base grows so does the Trade Association’s authority.

Associations are trusted and central to their industry. This means they can uniquely offer a wide range of information and services nobody else can easily provide in a range of communications methods.

This can include collation of sensitive information to provide an industry wide statistical report service, or the management of a consumer code of conduct. Associations are often in a position to offer specialist advice, particularly of a technical or legal and commercial nature, which are not necessarily readily available to small and medium sized organisations.

Some will also offer a consultancy service or an expert witness service on behalf of members if necessary. Associations often undertake specific projects, which benefit members or the industry as a whole.

Members would have an excellent opportunity to become involved first hand and influence the outcome of these projects should they choose to. Associations facilitate the opportunity for members to network with their peers at conferences, Exhibitions and other events whilst they are learning about issues which may affect their business.
Associations provide immediate updates regarding changes in industry technical standards, policy and news which are disseminated to members and provide an early warning system with advice on how to deal with the issues which may be encountered as a result.

Associations often offer commercial benefits through negotiated deals with approved suppliers. Some Trade Associations negotiate excellent deals with suppliers for products, which their members may wish to utilise. Typically these may include preferential rates for insurance, road recovery for fleet vehicles, health and safety and employment law services. Enhancement of a company’s reputation often follows joining a Trade Association. For many industries, membership of the industry association is seen as a badge of quality, particularly for those industries which are heavily regulated such as the asbestos awareness and asbestos removal industries.


UKasl are now fully audited by IATP for Non Licensed Removal and On-line Asbestos Awareness. Please see page 4: http://www.iatp.org.uk/location-results/

A ‘trade association’, also known as an ‘industry trade group’, ‘business association’ or ‘sector association’, is an organisation founded and funded by businesses that operate in a specific industry sector.

As far back as 2007 The Asbestos Specialists were involved in the first attempt by training providers, in conjunction with the Health & Safety Executive to raise standards in the asbestos training industry with founder member status of The Asbestos Training Providers Working Group (ATPWG). This working group established a code of conduct which training providers committed to prove competence and improve the standards of training offered.

The Asbestos Specialists were one of the founder members of the two main trade associations, (IATP and UKATA) which promote high level of standards to their members by way of stringent entry requirements. These trade associations liaise with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on a regular basis, keeping up to date with legislation and guidance changes.

Although close contact between these two trade associations (UKATA & IATP) and the HSE is maintained, neither association is ‘favoured’ or endorsed by them. Trade associations are not government bodies, nor are they to act as enforcement; they promote through the membership a higher level training standards to benefit those who undergo the training from the members of that respective trade association.

There are NO current legal requirements or PLANNED legal requirements for asbestos training providers to be a member of ANY trade association such as UKATA or IATP to be able to offer or carry out asbestos training courses. We as a training provider are members of both of these associations, we are audited by these organisations and these audits will show that we are a ‘competent’ training provider in the delivery and content of various courses we offer.

What does this mean to you?
Well simply put it means you can be assured that the courses we offer either by way of our online systems or face to face are of the highest standard giving you peace of mind and ensuring your employees get the training they need to keep them safe from the hazards of asbestos whilst working on site.
Take a look around our site, choose your course, give us a call, we are here to advise you and help you make the right choice!

Historically training your employees in any form has always been seen as an expensive, time consuming and at sometimes-inconvenient burden on even the smallest of organisations. As the UK comes out of one of the hardest recessions in history and companies are finding their way into profitability again, training is just another consideration for budgetary considerations.

The traditional method of classroom-based training is now beginning to be seen as an unsatisfactory and non cost effective means of education for employees………now alternatives are available. When setting training programmes and allocating budgets for training, companies need to consider the cost of training against other areas of expenditure within the business.

So what is the alternative?
In recent times it has become evident that e-learning can play a significant role in organisational learning strategies and in turn can have a major impact on company performance. E- Learning’s ability to reduce costs and provide a more efficient delivery of learning is fast becoming a necessity for many organisations. This is backed by the HSE’s recent recognition of e-learning as a viable delivery method for Asbestos Awareness Training.

So what are the benefits of e-learning?
• Self-paced 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Self-paced 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• There is no travel time.
• No subsistence costs.
• Training at times to suit you.
• No downtime.
• Proven increased knowledge retention.

The Asbestos Specialists have developed an innovative UKATA approved Asbestos Awareness e-learning course, replicating the classroom-based training they provide both in technical content and style. The course is both cost effective and operationally beneficial to organisations with the assurance that the content is both engaging and of the highest industry standards. If you have a requirement for asbestos awareness training, there’s no one better placed to help you comply with your legal duties than The Asbestos Specialists………we know training, so you’ll know asbestos.

As the death rates from asbestos exposure continue to increase it is another sad fact that this deadly fibre and the diseases associated with it are not just restricted to the older industries and today’s refurbishment industries. Lately another story has come to light, which details the disturbing effects of asbestos exposure to those people who lived near the factories and industries producing the many thousands of tons of Asbestos Containing Materials throughout the UK.

The Cape Asbestos Company was a major employer in the small mining town of Bowburn County Durham. As the mining industry went into decline Cape provided alternative employment for hundreds of local people from in an around the County Durham areas. The sad legacy of asbestos related diseases contracted by these workers employed by Cape has been a well-known known fact since the factory closed many years ago. In fact controversy still exists today regarding the land where the factory once stood due to wrangles over potentially contaminated land from the demolition of the plant.
I have read with interest the story recently of Caroline Wilcock who is now currently suffering from Mesothelioma.......not because she worked in the plant but simply due to her childhood exploits as a youngster playing in the streets of the village where she grew up. Here is the article which tells of Caroline’s sad plight:


A woman who has terminal cancer after making asbestos "snowballs" with dust from a local factory as a child has received a "substantial" payment from its parent company.

Caroline Wilcock grew up by an asbestos plant in Bowburn, County Durham.
Now living in London, she said: "I feel I had a responsibility to the community I grew up in to pursue my claim." Cape Intermediate Holdings Plc - previously known as The Cape Asbestos Company - settled out of court.

Miss Wilcock's claim stated she suffered from asbestos poisoning between 1967 and 1983.
The 51-year-old was diagnosed with the fatal lung condition mesothelioma three years ago.
"My case establishes that the people of Bowburn were exposed to the dangers of asbestos over forty years ago and were largely unaware or unable to do anything to protect themselves and their children," she said.

"I am angry that I and other children came into contact with asbestos whilst playing in our village and around our homes and feel certain that my case will not be in isolation."
Local knowledge gathered for the case included recollections of children using asbestos dust on window ledges and cars for "snowballs". Others are said to have written messages in it, or used lumps that fell from the plant's wagons as an alternative to chalk.
The firm that operated the factory no longer exists so Miss Wilcock's claim was made against its successor.




Source: BBC

“So how much asbestos does it take to result in an asbestos related disease or death” After 20 years in the asbestos related training industry I must have had that question asked numerous time! Experts have never established a safe level nor have they have ever established a level at which the diseases or deaths are caused at.

Of course its imperative that we always avoid any exposure to asbestos at all times, in fact it’s a legal requirement that as an employee your employer has a very strict legal requirement to ensure that you are protected from asbestos at all times whilst at work. If you are self-employed, then that legal requirement also extends to you.

The protection of others not in your direct employment such as members of the public, other sub-contractors and even tenants is also strictly controlled by statutory acts of Parliament such as The Health & safety at Work 1974 and many others.

With over 4,500 deaths each year from asbestos related diseases equating to over 20 trades persons a week dying from this deadly fibre.....its quite easy to understand why and how these deaths can happen.

Millions of tons of asbestos were used in millions of properties in all sectors throughout the UK including, schools, hospitals, public buildings, industrial and commercial properties and of course domestic properties.
The peak periods of the use of asbestos in buildings was between 1950’s and 1980’s and subsequently buildings of that age group have been constantly worked on, maintained and demolished since those times.

Subsequently thousands of workers have disturbed the materials or of course have been involved in the installation of asbestos products.....resulting in large scale exposure to asbestos fibres over sustained periods of time or perhaps even short periods of time but constant smaller levels of exposure?

But sometimes asbestos-related deaths and disease strike at those who don’t fit into any of those criteria? The story of Jane Garner and her fight against asbestos related disease is sadly one of those cases.

Described by the coroner as “unusual” it’s a tragic tale yet again of the un-predictable nature of asbestos and the extent of related deaths not attributed to the industries where workers were exposed in ‘heavy’ amounts of ‘long periods of time’....

Here is Jane Garners story:
A popular mum developed an incurable cancer after ‘the lightest dusting’ of exposure to asbestos as a teenager – an inquest has heard.
Penny Jane Garner, 46, died in March this year, after a three-year battle with malignant mesothelioma, a terminal cancer linked to exposure to asbestos.

At an inquest, lung cancer specialist Dr Simon Taggart described the case of Ms Garner, who lived on Woodlands Avenue, Peel Green, Salford, as one of the most unusual he has ever seen.
He said the mum-of-three may have been exposed to a ‘sudden burst’ of asbestos or could have come into contact with the substance in several places, which had an accumulative effect.
He said: “It’s unusual, but Penny is unusual. She died at 46 and her lungs were healthy. The average age of mesothelioma sufferers in Salford is upwards of 70 years old.
“This is the lightest dusting of exposure I have ever seen.”
Bolton Coroners’ Court heard that Ms Garner was ‘devastated’ when an attempt to sue Salford council and Ardwick-based building firm P McGuiness and Co, which demolished Seedley swimming baths, was unsuccessful.
The seamstress believed demolition of the baths had exposed her to deadly fibres while she was a child playing at neighbouring Seedley Primary School, but a High Court ruling found neither party was responsible.
Ms Garner was initially given antibiotics for pneumonia before doctors discovered she was suffering from mesothelioma.
The inquest heard she may have been exposed to asbestos while working at a textiles factory in her late teens. Deborah Hopwood, who worked with Ms Garner at a factory during the 1980s, said ‘cracked’ floor tiles, clothes presses and heating pipes used at the workplace may have contained asbestos.
Coroner Jennifer Leeming said Ms Garner’s ‘shocking’ death was a result of industrial disease and added: “I was so touched by what you said about Penny and how cruel what had happened to her was.”
Speaking after the inquest, Ms Garner’s mum Jane Garner, 66, said she was shocked her daughter could have developed a terminal illness from such a low exposure to asbestos.
She said: “It’s just so sad that with such a low exposure she passed away.
“She was a lovely, hard working mother, who adored her children and loved her jobs.”

Source: Manchester Evening News

It’s not a secret that some of the highest rates of Mesothelioma and other asbestos related deaths are centred in and around the North East of England. Being a former ‘heavy industry and construction worker’ myself and with hands on experience of this deadly substance, I read with interest a story of a local man from our region who is urging trades men and women to be aware of the ‘hidden killer whilst carrying out work on buildings.

I also read this month the findings of a fascinating research report carried out by the Health & Safety Executive which has highlighted many concerns about workers true perception of the risk from asbestos in buildings.

Having over 20 years experience in the training industry and travelling the length and breadth of the UK training the construction, refurbishment and engineering industries certainly back that study up. The ‘it wont happen to me’ perception is a hard one to break, however when you see and read stories like that of Simon Clark it certainly strikes home a sobering message that even today.......despite the perceptions shown by many, asbestos is still the biggest occupational killer this country has ever experienced or probably will ever experience!

Here’s the article published recently within the Newcastle Evening Chronicle. Read on it certainly made me think.

A former electrician suffering from an industrial diseased has urged people to be cautious of asbestos as figures reveal Tyneside tradesmen could come into contact with the substance more than 100 times a year.

Simon Clark was diagnosed with mesothelioma - a life-threatening, aggressive form of cancer caused by exposure to asbestos - in 2012, aged just 52.

The Health and Safety Executive has said tradesmen in Newcastle could come into contact with asbestos an average of 115 times a year following a new survey.

On hearing the figures Simon made a plea to fellow tradesmen.
He said:

“When I was younger I didn’t think of the dangers of asbestos and I must have been exposed to it frequently. Since being diagnosed, I’ve had to give up my work and let some of my employees go - which is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It is vitally important that everybody knows when they might be exposed and takes the correct steps to protect themselves.”

As well as illustrating how often trades people in Newcastle can be exposed to asbestos, the survey revealed some common myths believed by those at risk, with four per cent believing that drinking a glass of water will help protect them from the deadly dust and 33 per cent thinking that opening a window will help to keep them safe.

Asbestos can be found in walls and ceilings, or the structure of a building, as well as a host of other places like floor tiles, boilers, toilet cisterns, guttering and soffits.
It can be disturbed by basic maintenance work like drilling holes and sanding and once disturbed, the microscopic fibres can prove lethal if breathed in, causing lung disease and cancer.

The research, undertaken by Censuswide in September 2014, shows that while more than half (53 per cent) of trades people in Britain knew that asbestos could be in old buildings built before 1970, only 15 per cent knew that it could still be found in buildings built up to the year 2000.
To encourage trades people to think about asbestos on every job the HSE has launched a new safety campaign.

Philip White, HSE’s Chief Inspector of Construction, said: “Asbestos is still a very real danger and the survey findings suggest that the people who come into contact with it regularly often don’t know where it could be and worryingly don’t know how to deal with it correctly, which could put them in harm’s way.

“Our new campaign aims to help trades people understand some of the simple steps they can take to stay safe. Our new web app is designed for use on a job so workers can easily identify if they are likely to face danger and can then get straight forward advice to help them do the job safely.”

Source:Evening Chronicle

Its not exactly ‘cloak and dagger’ or ‘Agatha Christie’s latest murder mystery’......but often enough their presence on site can sometimes make the difference between life or death! Curious...? read on.

Here is the second blog in our series of blogs telling you all you need to know about the Health & Safety Executive

Health as well as safety’ is the message during this year’s Construction Initiative being undertaken by the HSE. As poor standards and unsafe practices on Britain’s building sites are being targeted during a nationwide drive aimed at reducing ill health, death and injury in the industry.

During October this year the HSE Construction Inspectors will carry out unannounced visits to sites where refurbishment projects or repair works are underway.

This is the ninth annual Initiative and building on previous campaigns, HSE Inspectors will ensure high-risk activities particularly those affecting the health of workers, are being properly managed.

What the initiative does
The main aims of the initiative are:
• to achieve an improvement in industry standards, in particular at small sites
• to increase awareness of HSE’s expectations of the industry
• to demonstrate that HSE will use the enforcement tools at its disposal to prevent immediate risk and bring about sustained improvements

What inspectors look for?
During inspections, HSE inspectors will consider whether:
• risks to health from exposure to dust such as silica are being controlled
• workers are aware of where they may find asbestos, and what to do if they find it
• other health risks, such as exposure to noise and vibration, manual handling, hazardous substances are being properly managed
• jobs that involve working at height have been identified and properly planned to ensure that appropriate precautions, such as proper support of structures, are in place
• equipment is correctly installed / assembled, inspected and maintained and used properly
• sites are well organised, to avoid trips and falls, walkways and stairs are free from obstructions and welfare facilities are adequate
HSE uses the inspection initiatives to reinforce its message to the construction industry that poor standards are unacceptable and liable to result in HSE taking enforcement action.

And of course just to finish off........any action taken against the employer can result in the implementation of intervention fees which have just recently been introduced by the HSE, for more information on these, see our previous blog?