If you are likely to come into contact with asbestos in your line of work, it is a legal requirement that you undergo training to understand how and where asbestos might be hiding, so that these areas can be avoided.
Asbestos awareness training falls within Category A of the Health and Safety Executive’s guidelines on asbestos. It is designed for those who could inadvertently disturb asbestos whilst carrying out their day-to-day work, including but not limited to trades people, surveyors and architects, and on successful completion of the course you receive an Asbestos Awareness certificate.
How to obtain a certificate
Online training courses allow you to work at your own speed, and can be fitted in to a busy day. E-learning courses generally last for around 90 minutes, with a quiz at the end to demonstrate your understanding of the issues involved.
On successful completion of the course the Asbestos Awareness certificate, which is valid for 12 months, can be downloaded immediately with a copy also being sent via email.
How to verify authenticity
Certificates from training providers can be verified by checking the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) website. All approved asbestos training providers are listed in the ‘Members’ section of the site, and your certificate will display the UKATA name which represents the HSE approved standard for asbestos awareness training.
HSE encourage those with an Asbestos Awareness certificate to take a refresher course every 12 months or so, but this is not a legal requirement. Refresher courses are not the same as initial training, but are intended to ‘top up’ knowledge and help people stay up-to-date with current information.
Being able to produce a UKATA Asbestos Awareness certificate demonstrates commitment to your trade, and shows that you take your own and others’ health seriously.