What are employer's responsibilities for asbestos training?

According to the HSE, you might be shocked to learn it kills around 5000 tradespeople each year. Each week alone, 20 tradespeople die due to past exposure. 

So, it is no wonder that, as an employer, you have certain responsibilities regarding asbestos training to keep your team as safe as possible. If you’re wondering what those are or need a refresher, we are here to help. We have detailed all of the employer responsibilities in place when it comes to asbestos training, so you have a clear understanding of the expectations. 

The Information and Training Necessary 

Firstly, let's run through what type of information, instruction, and training is necessary for your team. As a whole, all workers and supervisors must be able to recognise any ACMs. This means asbestos-containing materials. They should also know what to do if they come across them and how to protect themselves and others best. 

The information, instructions and training your team posses relate to three different subjects. These are asbestos awareness, non-licensable work with asbestos, including NNLW, and licensable work with asbestos.

It is important to note that attending training alone does not make a worker competent in this area, and on-the-job learning is key to success. If further training is needed, you may want to take advantage of a TNA, training needs analysis. This will identify any shortfalls in the knowledge and what topics should be covered again. 

Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos awareness may sound like a cover-all topic for asbestos training, but it is intended for tradespeople who need to avoid any work disturbing ACMs. It will not prepare individuals to carry out work with asbestos-containing materials. Suppose the individual carrying out the work still needs to proceed. In that case, further training will be required before they can continue. 

So, what employees need asbestos awareness? 

Here is a rundown of the roles most likely to need asbestos awareness training. However, this is not complete, and other professions may also benefit. 

• General maintenance workers

• Electricians

• Plumbers

• Joiners

• Painters and decorators

• Plasterers

• Construction workers

• Roofers

• Shopfitters

• Gas fitters

• Heating and ventilation engineers

• Demolition workers

• Telecommunication engineers

• Fire/burglar alarm installers

• Computer and data installers

• Architects

• Building surveyors

What Should Asbestos Awareness Cover? 

Efficient asbestos awareness should cover the properties of asbestos and its effects on health. This should include the increased effect asbestos has on developing lung cancer for those who smoke. Additionally, it should detail the uses and occurrences of asbestos and the general procedures in the event of an emergency. Finally, it will cover how to avoid the risk of asbestos exposure. 

What do Employees doing Non-Licensable Work Need? 

Any workers whose role will require them to disturb asbestos-containing materials will need non-licensable work training or Notifiable Non-Licensed Work (NNLW). This kind of work may include drilling holes, laying cables, removing floor tiles or repairing sheet roofing or cladding where asbestos-containing materials are most likely present.

What Should Non-Licensable Work Training Include? 

Non-licensable work or NNLW training should include the following to ensure the appropriate instruction:

• Emergency procedures

• Legal Requirements 

• Waste handling procedures

• Assessments of risk exposure

• Safe work practices 

• Control measures

• Protective equipment 

What do Employees doing Licensable Work Need? 

Licensed contractors will work with higher-risk asbestos-containing materials, and only competent workers with the appropriate training and equipment may undertake licensed asbestos work. You can find further information on the training required for licensable work in The Licensed Contractors’ Guide HSG 247 and the Approved Code of Practice L143 Managing and Working with Asbestos.

In terms of the specific work being done, it is also the employer’s responsibility to make the following information available:

• A risk assessment for the work to be done

• A plan for the work 

• Details of air monitoring and results

• Details of notification of work made to the enforcing authority

• maintenance records

• a copy of the licence

• Anonymised collective information from the health records

Refresher Training 

As an employer, you must also ensure your team has the appropriate refresher training. It should be given as necessary to ensure good knowledge of asbestos knowledge is maintained. 

As mentioned, a training needs analysis will help you identify the required refresher training. Depending on the extensive training needs, this may look like either online or classroom training. 

Refresher training should be given every year as standard. However, it may be beneficial to occur more frequently if work methods change, the type of equipment changes, or competency gaps are identified. 

Recording Information and Training 

It is also the employer’s responsibility to keep a detailed record of all training and refresher training carried out by employees. This is useful for ongoing training needs analysis and to comply with the licensing process. It can also support an individual’s ability to demonstrate their skills, knowledge and experience when moving from one employer to another. 

Your Responsibility: 

We hope you understand better an employer’s responsibility for asbestos training. However, this is just a basic breakdown; additional information can be learned just as your employees do in training.