As an employer, your main priorities include maintaining a safe work environment, compliance with legal obligations and the protection of your team against damage. Although many dangers in the workplace are well known, a risk continues to be underestimated or misunderstood exposure to asbestos.
Although it is prohibited in many countries, asbestos is still present in countless buildings and materials, in particular those built before the 2000s. Without conscience and appropriate training, employees can disturb the materials containing asbestos without knowing (ACM), exhibiting themselves and others with serious health risks. Boss training offer a Cutting Cutting of online stakes as well as Asbestos awareness training in person To ensure the safety of you and your employees.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a group of natural fibrous minerals that have been widely used in construction and manufacturing due to their resistance, heat resistance and insulating properties. Current uses included insulation of pipes, roofing materials, floor tiles, cement products and sprayed coverings.
Although it is effective in construction, asbestos has a deadly drawback. When disturbed, it releases microscopic fibers that can be inhaled, leading to serious illnesses, in particular:
- Mesothelioma (rare and aggressive cancer)
- Asbestosis (a chronic pulmonary condition)
- Lung cancer
These diseases often take decades to develop, but by then it is too late.
Why employers must act
1. Legal responsibility
In the United Kingdom, employers are legally required to ensure that workers who can get in touch with asbestos receive appropriate training, under the control of the 2012 asbestos regulations. The fact of not providing training may lead to serious fines or prosecution.
2. Protection for employees and the public
Workers such as construction teams, maintenance staff, electricians, plumbers and decorators are most at risk. But the consequences of the exhibition go beyond the individual. Asbestos dust can be brought home to clothes, endanger families or travel in a building, affecting the general public.
3. Prevention is better than healing
There is no known remedy for asbestos -related diseases. The only effective strategy is prevention by education.
Asbestos awareness training means that employees:
- Recognize potential materials containing asbestos
- Understand the risks of disturbing asbestos
- Follow safe work practices
- Know when to stop work and ask for the help of experts
4. Reduce liability and downtime
Incidents in the workplace involving asbestos can lead to:
- Surveys and legal action
- Work stop
- Cleaning cost
- Reputation damage
Training reduces these risks by ensuring that workers know how to properly manage situations, which reduces the probability of accidental exposure or regulatory violations.
5. Boost health and safety culture
Providing training is not only to check a box. This shows your commitment to a culture of health and safety, where workers feel valued and protected. This, in turn, improves morale, commitment and retention.
Who needs asbestos awareness training?
Asbestos awareness training is essential for:
- Construction workers
- Demolition teams
- Maintenance and repair staff
- Electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians
- Architects and surveyors
- Sites and supervisors managers
Even those who do not deal directly with asbestos must be aware of its presence and the risks involved. The training in asbestos awareness is a small investment that provides massive yields, in terms of safety, compliance and peace of mind. As an employer, it is your duty to protect your workers, your business and the public.
