The Asbestos Specialists are close to the launch of our new on-line asbestos awareness courses……….March Launch now imminent!

Also in the testing area we have Asbestos Awareness for Building Owners…………announcement due soon on launch dates.

“…Online learning (often referred to as e–learning) is increasingly used as a method of providing asbestos awareness training. HSE recognises the use of e-learning as a viable delivery method, among others, for the delivery of information, instruction and training in relation to asbestos awareness training, provided the course content satisfies the objectives as stipulated in Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and the supporting Approved Code of Practice…”

After our highly successful half year performance of the Asbestos Specialists e-learning training course in asbestos, we are now announcing the imminent launch of our second programme. Launch date February 2012

‘Asbestos Awareness for Managers and Supervisors’

Currently under trial this brand new course specifically aimed at Managers and Supervisors who are responsible for managing their workforce whilst on site. It details procedures to undertake to ensure that workers receive the correct information to minimise the risks from asbestos onsite.

“…Online learning (often referred to as e–learning) is increasingly used as a method of providing asbestos awareness training. HSE recognises the use of e-learning as a viable delivery method, among others, for the delivery of information, instruction and training in relation to asbestos awareness training, provided the course content satisfies the objectives as stipulated in Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and the supporting Approved Code of Practice…”

It’s your choice?

Now its up to you to choose which type of asbestos awareness learning is best for you………e-learning or our tried, tested and trustworthy distance learning? Make your choice and go to www.ukasl.co.uk

Unique to you and fully compliant!

Both methods of training will provide you with a user defined unique referenced ‘Certificate in Asbestos Awareness’ fully compliant with The Control of Asbestos Regulations and guidance issued by the HSE. Whether you need the certificate as a ‘new course’ or as a refresher, The Asbestos Specialists e-learning and distance learning courses provide the answer for small business’s and the self employed who require the training but cannot afford costly and time consuming in-house or venue training courses.

Cost effective and flexible!

Both courses are designed to compliment the HSE’s ‘hidden killer campaign’ the and will allow employers a cost effective way of ensuring that their employees are made aware of the dangers and risks associated with asbestos in buildings. The e-learning and distance Learning courses can provide a fully flexible way of allowing the applicant to train at their own pace, whenever and wherever necessary, eliminating the costly travel, accommodation and consultant expenses.

The benefits for you!

Here are just some of the benefits of the e-learning and distance courses.

* Cost benefit and easy payment – huge cost savings and quick easy payment for the smaller business or self employed saving you on in-house training for small numbers.

* Convenience – undertake courses when you need them, not based on training providers scheduled dates or minimum numbers.

* Better for Some Learners – distance-learning courses are often better for people who require more time, are language-challenged, or introverted.

* Accessibility – with a distance-learning course, you can study or work on the course just about anywhere and within your own timescales.

* Flexibility – no set start or finish times, you decide when you or your employees complete the study and end test.

* Self-Directed – you set your own pace and schedule.

* Availability – you have instant access one click or call and your training course will be made available.

Many of our clients find the health & safety requirements a minefield!…….how many times do you find yourself asking questions such as:

’do we have to do this?………..is this OK, will it comply with Law?…..’Does the law say I have to this’… ‘What will happen if I do it this way’?

So in an attempt to help you along, here is some reasonable clarification to help you understand the very clear differences.

Regulations – Regulations are law, approved by Parliament. These are usually made under the Health and Safety at Work Act, following proposals from the HSE Board. This applies to regulations based on EC Directives as well as ‘home-grown’ ones.

The Health and Safety at Work Act, and general duties in the Management Regulations, are goal setting and leave employers freedom to decide how to control risks, which they identify. Guidance and Approved Codes of Practice give advice. But some risks are so great, or the proper control measures so costly, that it would not be appropriate to leave employers discretion in deciding what to do about them. Regulations identify these risks and set out specific action that must be taken. Often these requirements are absolute to do something without qualification by whether it is reasonably practicable.

Approved Codes of Practice – Approved Codes of Practice offer practical examples of good practice. They give advice on how to comply with the law by, for example, providing a guide to what is ‘reasonably practicable’. For example, if regulations use words like ‘suitable and sufficient’, an Approved Code of Practice can illustrate what this requires in particular circumstances. Approved Codes of Practice have a special legal status. If employers are prosecuted for a breach of health and safety law, and it is proved that they have not followed the relevant provisions of the Approved Code of Practice, a court can find them at fault unless they can show that they have complied with the law in some other way.

HSC consulted in 1995 on the role of Approved Codes of Practice in the health and safety system and concluded that they could still be used in support of legal duties in specific circumstances.

Guidance – Guidance can be specific to the health and safety problems of an industry or of a particular process used in a number of industries. The main purposes of guidance are:

1. To interpret helping people to understand what the law says;

2. To help people comply with the law;

3. To give technical advice.

Following guidance is not compulsory and employers are free to take other action. But if they do follow guidance they will normally be doing enough to comply with the law.

Hopefully this will help you to answer some of those questions of doubt in your mind.

Heres the first in a series of ‘myth busters’ helping you to clarify your asbestos training.

Many of our clients will ask us the question relating to misconception that the HSE ‘approve, recommend or accredit training providers’ or that certain trade associations such as IATP or UKATA are recommended by the HSE?

Well to help you understand, here is an extract from a letter from the HSE  from 2010 explaining their position on this subject.

”..As you will be aware, there is no regulatory requirement for training providers to be a member of a trade association.  Employers or asbestos workers may use a training provider of their choice, provided the training meets the requirements of regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, the Approved Code of Practice…”.

One of HSE’s roles as a regulator is to provide advice and guidance, but the HSE does not accredit, nor advocate, any one particular training provider association.  It is inaccurate and misleading to assert that HSE defers in some way to UKATA (or IATP) on asbestos training issues and to imply that HSE endorses one particular training syllabus over any other.

So there you go then, when you need a training provider you DO NOT need to choose a one who is a member of the ‘trade association’…to imply that you need to use a specifically registered training provider is simply wrong! Don’t be bullied, just make sure your training provider is competent.

The Asbestos Specialists go from strength to strength!…..we have now launched a new youtube channel. Why not visit us? and subscribe? New information videos will be placed on our channel before the autumn. Click here for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK2-KrpRrs0

IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONTROL OF ASBESTOS REGULATIONS 2006

A one-day asbestos awareness course for CDMC’s and Project Management

This course is aimed at CDM co-ordinators, principal contractors and other project site management. It will provide each delegate with an understating of their legal requirements in managing asbestos removal contractors, analysts and surveyors.

The syllabus:

• The history of asbestos;
• Asbestos type’s properties and risks;
• The health effects of exposure;
• The type’s uses and risks of ACM’s in buildings;
• Emergency procedures to deal with accidental exposure;
• CAR 2006, and current HSG requirements;
• Overview of the Duty to Manage asbestos in buildings
• The asbestos survey, surveyor and types
• Asbestos Removal, enclosure, decontamination etc;
• Questions and Answers

Call 0800 61 22 035 and ask for more details and dates.

Do your employees require face fit testing?…….had a costly quotation for testing per man?……….do you want the cost effective option?

UKASL can supply you with an in-house face ‘fit tester’ training course. The course will provide you with both practical and theory based training content to face fit test your employees in-house. Visit UKASL by clicking here for full details.

They must:

• Find out if asbestos containing materials are present within any of your work areas and plan the work to avoid disturbing these materials if possible
• Ensure that anyone who is going to work on asbestos material is trained properly and is supervised
• Know what work can be carried out on asbestos containing materials i.e. does this work need to be carried out by a HSE licensed contractor?
• Take account of other risks as well as asbestos e.g. work at height, and take the precautions necessary to do the job safely
• Use the equipment and method sheets from HSG 210 and the right task sheet to make sure that the job is carried out properly and that exposure to asbestos is kept as low as possible
• Prepare a plan of work, explaining what the job involves, the work procedures, and what controls to use
• Provide you with the right equipment, which is clean, in good working order, and protects you against asbestos
• Train you in using this equipment
• Make sure the work area is inspected visually at the end of the job, to check it’s fit for reoccupation
• Make arrangements for the safe disposal of any asbestos waste
• Consult the health and safety representative (if there is one)