Although there is no legal requirement to repeat asbestos awareness training, the HSE recommends that a refresher training course be undertaken every 12 months, or as necessary, to ensure that employees are kept aware of the possible risks. The HSE also advises employers to provide information on how to recognise and report symptoms associated with exposure to asbestos.
The HSE has published guidance for employers in relation to managing health hazards at work. This includes advice about:•the need to assess whether there may be an increased risk from working near or handling materials containing asbestos;•how to manage any identified potential exposures;•what steps should be taken if workers have been exposed to asbestos dust or fibres;•when it might be appropriate to take action, such as providing protective equipment (e.g. respirators) or medical treatment; and•whether a worker who is experiencing respiratory problems needs further assessment by their GP or other healthcare professional.
UK asbestos awareness training
Asbestos – you need to know the facts about exposure and health effects. What you need to know before starting work with this material. How can I protect myself at work? The basics of personal protection against asbestos. Where do I find more information on asbestos? A list of useful websites for further reading. – hse.gov.uk
What are the health effects of exposure to asbestos? Health risks associated with working in an environment containing asbestos fibres. Symptoms that may be caused by occupational exposures to asbestos. Signs and symptoms of mesothelioma (a cancer linked to asbestos). Other diseases which have been linked to asbestos exposure.
How can you tell when something contains asbestos? Asbestos is a mineral, so it will always contain some amount of iron oxide or other minerals. It’s not possible to detect asbestos without knowing what kind of product it was used in. If there isn’t any obvious indication of its presence then it probably wasn’t present during manufacture.
Where does asbestos come from? There are many different types of asbestos, but the most common ones are chrysolite, crocidolite, amosite, anthophyllite, tremolite, actinolite, and erionite. They all occur naturally as rock formations, although they’re usually found in association with each other (for example, chrysotile occurs together with amphibole fibers such as actinolite, tremolite, etc.).
Asbestos is a known carcinogen that can cause lung cancer if inhaled over long periods of time. It also causes mesothelioma, which is an aggressive form of cancer affecting the lining of internal organs including the lungs, heart, stomach, intestines, liver, and kidneys.
Is asbestos awareness training required annually?
Asbestos Awareness Training is a requirement for all employees who work with or around Asbestos. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has published guidance on this subject, which can be found here: https://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/ This includes information about how to recognise it, what precautions should be taken when working near it, and where you can get further advice from HSE.
