I’m sure that you don’t need us to tell you that asbestos is a highly dangerous material that has long been associated with some pretty nasty health conditions. In particular, one type of cancer known as mesothelioma is associated with asbestos exposure.
However, since asbestos was used as a building material for so many years, there are still lots of properties and locations where it can be found. People working in these environments must be made aware of the potential dangers of asbestos and be correctly trained in how to handle it. When you find yourself in such a situation you may be wondering what training you need to work with asbestos.
There are three different types of asbestos training available in the UK. Which of these you take will depend on the type of work you will be doing and the level of exposure you’ll be subject to.
In this guide, we will discuss the various types of asbestos training so that you can get a clearer idea of the type you will need to complete. We will also look at some of the rules surrounding asbestos training and what you’ll need to do if you wish to become an asbestos surveyor.
How Many Types Of Asbestos Training Are There?
In the UK, there are three different levels of asbestos training available. The type you choose will depend on the job you are doing and the level of potential exposure to this toxic material. The different levels of training will give you plenty of information on the associated risks of asbestos exposure and how to handle it. However, each level may be more comprehensive than the last.
The three types of asbestos training are as follows:
- Category A is the asbestos awareness training.
- Category B is the non-licensed asbestos training.
- Category C is for those doing licensed asbestos work.
But let’s explore these in a little more detail so that you know exactly which type of training is suitable for you.
Category A
The asbestos awareness training is a program for people who won’t be in direct contact with the material on a daily basis but may come in contact with it at some point. It’s also designed for people who may be at risk of disturbing asbestos when doing other types of work such as construction or plumbing, among others.
Out of all of the types of asbestos training, Category A is the least comprehensive and purely provides the person with a basic knowledge on minimising risks. However, if you are going to be directly working with or removing asbestos, this type of training will not be sufficient and more in depth knowledge will need to be obtained.
Category B
If you are doing a job that involves working directly with asbestos in some shape or form then you will need to complete the non licensed asbestos training. This provides you with a greater and more in depth knowledge of the risks of the material and how to safely handle it.
Some of the jobs that require category A training may also require Category B training in certain situations. A good example of this is that an electrician may usually only need to carry out Category A training but if he or she then needed to work to remove asbestos containing materials for a particular job, they would then need to upgrade their training to Category B.
Related Article: What Are The Three Types Of Respirators
Category C
The third and final form of asbestos training in the UK is the Licensed Asbestos Training which is required by those who are at the highest risk of exposure. This might include jobs where the person is removing, repairing or disturbing asbestos containing materials in any form.
Licensed contractors are usually expected to have completed this type of training along with having had hands-on experience to prove their competence. This is not only a recommendation but a requirement of the HSE.
This type of asbestos training goes into great detail surrounding risks and how to reduce them, removal of asbestos materials and clean up procedures, risk assessments and much more.
How Long Does The Online Asbestos Course Take?
If you are looking to take the online asbestos course then this is one of the shortest routes to becoming adept in understanding the risks and how to prevent them.
The online course takes around 40 minutes to complete on average and can be done from home, your workplace or anywhere else that you have internet access. What’s great about this online course is that you have the choice to either complete it in one sitting or spread the time over several sessions. If you’re in a busy workplace and cannot dedicated 40 minutes out of your day, you might choose to do four ten minute sessions as and when you can.
Moreover, people completing the online asbestos course are under no pressure to complete everything within a set time period. You can take as long as you wish to finish the course. Although, it is worth keeping in mind that you won’t be considered ‘adept’ until the entire course has been completed.
Is Asbestos Awareness Training Mandatory?
If you are going to be working in a job that comes with a risk of disturbing asbestos or working directly with it then an asbestos awareness course is a legal requirement. This is the case even if you won’t be working in an asbestos environment every day and may only come into potential contact with it on an occasional basis.
Your employer is responsible for determining whether you need to complete the asbestos awareness course and assess the risks. While there are many jobs in which it may be required some of the most common are things like construction workers, heating engineers, roofers, plumbers and plasterers but this is by no means a complete list.
Related Article: Which Personal Protective Equipment
How Do I Become An Asbestos Surveyor?
A lot of people are attracted to the role of an asbestos surveyor because of the handsome salary they stand to earn. In the UK, the average salary for an asbestos surveyor could be anywhere between £20,000 and £70,000 depending on the level of experience and training, amongst other things.
But it’s important to keep in mind that you cannot simply jump into this career and there is a degree of training involved. Moreover, do remember that one of the reasons that the wage is so good is to do with the associated risks so this is something to keep in mind.
Generally speaking, you can get into this type of work through one of four pathways. How you prefer to learn will best determine which is right for you. Let’s outline each one.
University
For those who want to achieve the most in depth training, a university course is normally the best option. You’d need to choose something like construction, surveying or building engineering and in order to access this type of education, you’ll usually need two or three A levels. Once you have completed your training, you can then go on to specialise as an asbestos surveyor.
College
One of the most common ways to becoming an asbestos surveyor is through a college course. These are widely available but you’d normally need to have had some construction experience already. There are two courses to choose from; Level 3 in asbestos surveying or Level 4 in asbestos laboratory and project management.
Apprenticeship
The beauty of doing an apprenticeship is that you will be paid while you complete your training. Although this will be much lower than a fully qualified person would earn. This type of training involves 30 hours per week on site gaining hands on experience while the other part of your week will be spent studying the theoretical side of the subject.
Work Experience
If you want to get into the workplace as quickly as possible then you might opt for work experience. This is where you spend time working with an already trained asbestos surveyor in your own time to gain the necessary skills and experience. However, you won’t come out of this with any official qualifications.
Conclusion
Working with asbestos is fraught with risks and in order to minimise these risks, people should undergo the correct training. Not only will this keep you safe but in almost every situation, this training is a legal requirement of the job.
However, there are three levels of asbestos training. The type you choose will depend on the work you are doing and the level of exposure you may have. Typically, your employer will perform a risk assessment and provide you with access to the most appropriate type of training.
1 thought on “What Training Do You Need To Work With Asbestos”
Comments are closed.