How much do you actually know about asbestos?
June 1st 2008 Ask almost anyone about asbestos and they will
tell you that it is dangerous. But how much do
you really know about asbestos?
Many thousands of tonnes of asbestos and asbestos
containing products were extensively used in the
construction of all types of buildings particularly between
1950 and the mid 1970's. No accurate records were kept at
the time, so we can only estimate some of the figures
involved, but it is thought well over a million buildings in
the UK still contain asbestos materials.
The number of people dying each year of illnesses
resulting from exposure to asbestos contamination
currently stands at several thousand and still rising,
making asbestos the single largest cause of death due to a
work related illness.
This is partly due to the fact when someone is exposed
to asbestos contamination; nothing is immediately going
to happen. It takes many years, often decades, for the
symptoms of exposure to become apparent. Asbestos
fibres, once they have entered the body, take a long time
to show up as damage caused to the body is very gradual,
but once there, is irreversible.
The all too frequent result of prolonged or high level
exposure to asbestos contamination is Asbestosis,
Mesothelioma or lung cancer. Even lower levels of exposure
are now known to be capable of being dangerous and
exposure can leave the body vulnerable to other
respiratory diseases, resulting in a lower quality of life for
the unfortunate sufferer.
Asbestos assumes a greater risk when the fibres become
airborne, allowing them to be breathed in. This could be
due to damage, drilling or cutting, etc. As we have seen,
once these asbestos fibres have entered the body, if it
results in the person going on to develop an asbestos
related illness there are no known cures. Therefore, we
must prevent exposure to asbestos from occurring, or if
this is not possible then exposure must be reduced to the
lowest possible level.
Most accidental exposure to asbestos contamination is
as a result of maintenance or building work being carried
out where the presence of asbestos has not been realised.
To address this, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
requires that every employer shall ensure adequate
information, instruction and training is given to those of
his employees who are, or are liable to be, exposed to
asbestos, or who supervise such employees.
The Approved Code of Practice, "Work with materials
containing asbestos" goes further and gives a list of trades
and work that should receive such training.
It is important, once it has been identified your
employees require such training, it is delivered by
someone competent with sufficient knowledge and
experience to be able to meet their specific training
needs.
Many people may claim this competency but there are
relatively few in the industry who can justify themselves.
Many trainers will not have the necessary experience or
background to be able to answer all of your questions or
deliver the quality of training required, which may result
in a poor experience for your employees, continued risk of
accidental exposure to asbestos and the possible
implications for claims made against the employer for
failure to comply with the Asbestos Regulations.
ACAD is a member of UKATA, the trade association
responsible for setting standards for the asbestos training
industry and is on the list of organisations accredited to
deliver such training. Our trainers have many years
experience in working in the asbestos industry and are
vastly experienced in developing tailor made courses
designed to meet specific training needs. We deliver
courses throughout the United Kingdom and beyond and
are recognised as one of the leading trade associations,
having recently won awards for its ground-breaking
initiatives in the asbestos industry. ACAD also works
closely with the HSE and other stakeholders and
encourages the adoption of best practices throughout the
industry. With a growing membership of over 200 members
nationwide, ACAD is an association people turn to for
advice on any asbestos related issues.
Should you or your business have any queries
regarding asbestos or asbestos training, ACAD is there to
provide help and
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