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The role of training
If you carry out work that could potentially, or will definitely, involve coming into contact with asbestos-containing materials, appropriate training is vital.
Who needs training?
You must know how to work safely around asbestos and know what control measures should be in place, as it’s still present in many UK buildings and poses a severe risk to health and safety.
There are regulations that govern the level of training required. Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 states that “Every employer must ensure that [their] employee[s] are given adequate information, instruction and training where that employee is, or is liable to be, exposed to asbestos, or if that employee supervises such employees.”
Asbestos training categories
In order to meet the requirement of providing adequate training, it’s important for employees and employers to consider which level of training is needed and best suited for the type of work that they undertake.
Asbestos training is split into three categories:
- Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A)
- Non-Licensed Asbestos Training (Category B)
- Licensed Asbestos Work (Category C)
Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A)
Asbestos awareness training is designed for people who do not directly work with asbestos-containing materials, but who may be exposed to risks. It focuses on making workers aware of how to avoid the risks and avoid potentially disturbing asbestos. Occupations that this level of training is designed for include:
- Construction and demolition workers
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Plasterers, painters and decorators
- Heating or ventilation engineers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Electricians & gas fitters
Category A would be sufficient for these roles if they need to carry out work in a building that contains undisturbed asbestos, but the activity does not require intentionally working with asbestos-containing materials.
Our Open Letter to the Department for Education is calling for of training to be made mandatory at the apprentice and trade college level. To read the letter and add your signature, please click below.
Our open letterNon-Licensed Asbestos Training (Category B)
Non-licensed and notifiable non-licensed work (NNLW) involves directly working with or disturbing asbestos-containing materials in some capacity, which means workers need a higher level of information, instruction, and training than what is given in Category A.
Category B training prepares those who carry out non-licensed and notifiable non-licensed work to do so safely if they must work with or disturb asbestos and covers control measures for minimising risks, safe work methods, risk assessments, personal protective equipment, waste handling, and emergency procedures.
Examples of job roles that may need Category B asbestos training are similar to those that may need Category A, but with the added criteria that their work directly involves asbestos-containing materials or will disturb asbestos. For instance, if an electrician needs to temporarily move asbestos-containing materials in order to install cabling, they will need to receive Category B training.
Whether or not a work activity is notifiable depends on the level of risk and what it involves, so it will be up to the employer to identify this by carrying out a risk assessment. For instance, if the work requires removing asbestos-containing materials that are in poor condition or have a high friability, it is usually considered notifiable.
Licensed Asbestos Work (Category C)
Any high-risk activities that involve working with, disturbing, repairing, and removing asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (as well as supervising these activities) must be carried out by licensed contractors.
Licensed contractors must receive an appropriate level of training, such as Category C as well as practical training, before they can carry out any licensed work. Training must then be followed up by on-the-job consolidation of the knowledge and skills acquired.
Category C training will cover a wide range of detailed topics, including health risks, common locations, legislation, safe removal practices and transport procedures, waste management, cleaning and decontamination, PPE, site inspections, emergency procedures and more.
The HSE states that licensable work with asbestos includes activities where:
- Worker exposure to asbestos is not sporadic and of low intensity.
- The risk assessment cannot clearly demonstrate that the control limit will not be exceeded.
- The work is on asbestos coating, asbestos insulation, or asbestos insulating board, where the risk assessment demonstrates that the work is not short duration work.
For more information on asbestos training courses
Visit our Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)
Click here