Workers and supervisors must be able to recognise asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and

know what to do if they come across them in order to protect themselves and others.

There are three main levels of information, instruction and training. These relate to:

ï‚· Asbestos awareness

ï‚· Licensable work with asbestos.

ï‚· Non-licensable work with asbestos including NNLW

Attending a training course on its own will not make a worker competent. Competence is

developed over time by implementing and consolidating skills learnt during training, on-the-job

learning, instruction and assessment.

It is important that the level of information, instruction and training is appropriate for the work

and the roles undertaken by each worker (and supervisor). Using a training needs analysis

(TNA) will help to identify what topics should be covered to ensure workers have the right level

of competence to avoid putting themselves or others at risk.

Information, instruction and training for asbestos awareness is intended to give workers and

supervisors the information they need to avoid work that may disturb asbestos during any

normal work which could disturb the fabric of a building, or other item which might contain

asbestos. It will not prepare workers, or self-employed contractors, to carry out work with

asbestos-containing materials. If a worker is planning to carry out work that will disturb ACMs,

further information, instruction and training will be needed.

Examples of those affected are listed below. There will be other occupations where asbestos

may be disturbed in addition to those listed.:

ï‚· Plasterers

ï‚· Architects

ï‚· General maintenance workers

ï‚· Electricians

ï‚· Plumbers

ï‚· Joiners

ï‚· Painters and decorators

ï‚· Construction workers

ï‚· Roofers

ï‚· Shop fitters

ï‚· Gas fitters

ï‚· Heating and ventilation engineers

ï‚· Demolition workers

ï‚· Telecommunication engineers

ï‚· Fire/burglar alarm installers

ï‚· Computer and data installers

ï‚· Building surveyors

Information, instruction and training about asbestos awareness should cover the following:

ï‚· the properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of developing

lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke

Asbestos awareness to give workers and supervisors the information they need

ï‚· the types, uses and likely occurrence of asbestos and asbestos materials in buildings and

plant

ï‚· the general procedures to deal with an emergency, eg an uncontrolled release of asbestos

dust into the workplace

ï‚· how to avoid the risk of exposure to asbestos

Certificates of training

There is no legal requirement for employees to hold a certificate of training before they can work

with asbestos.

Many training providers issue trainees with certificates. A certificate is not proof of competency

to do the job, but where issued, a certificate shows the individual has had training and may be

kept as part of an individuals training record. Where training certificates are provided they

sometimes have an expiry date (eg after a year). Expiry does not always mean that ‘full’

retraining is mandatory, as a result.

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