Asbestos Training

Asbestos Training - Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the University

Changes in legislation requires that asbestos training is given to all employees who potentially may be exposed to asbestos, their supervisors and those who do work to help the University comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, notably:

Regulation 10: 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, or who supervise such employees.

Within the University, this could include (but is not limited to) the following trades, irrespective of what Department they work for:

  • general maintenance staff
  • computer and telecommunications installers
  • electricians
  • plumbers
  • gas fitters
  • painters and decorators
  • workshop and laboratory managers
  • building and facilities managers
  • heating and ventilation engineers
  • fire and burglar alarm installers
  • and any other trades identified within the HSE Approved Code of Practice and Guidance 'Work with materials containing asbestos' L143

This can also include safety officers or any other person within a Department controlling activities that may affect the building.

In most cases, this will require the provision of asbestos awareness training which must include HSE's recommended topics* and be delivered by a person competent to do so. The Safety Office can provide basic awareness and refresher training, search our training section for Asbestos Awareness.

It is also important to realise that HSE's guidance is that this information should also form part of your Departments own asbestos management plan.

In the first instance, Departments should identify staff that will require this training and make arrangements for them to attend a suitable course (as noted above). A number of local companies who can undertake this work has been assessed and please contact EM Asbestos Team for guidance should you wish to follow this route.

Useful links:

* Please Note: Asbestos awareness training should cover the following topics and also incorporate the University's asbestos policy/ procedures: a). The properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke; b). The types, uses and likely occurrence of asbestos and ACMs in buildings and plant; c). The general procedures to be followed to deal with an emergency, for example an uncontrolled release of asbestos dust into the workplace; and d). How to avoid the risks from asbestos, for example for building work, no employee should carry out work which disturbs the fabric of a building unless the employer has confirmed that ACMs are not present.