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Why should I consider AACS training?
Better knowledge equates to better on-site practice and better on-site practice leads to fewer incidents. When you consider the mass of punitive legislation out there and the serious health, legal and financial ramifications of exposure and contamination, you’ll want to ensure that you and all your employees have sufficient knowledge of asbestos and your responsibilities when working with it. By having AACS training, you will not just equip yourself with the right knowledge to be safe and sure but also demonstrate to customers that you have taken positive steps to be an asbestos aware contractor. As organisations such as local authorities, housing associations, hospitals and facilities managers become more focused on risk management, it is likely that they will acknowledge the AACS as a valuable qualification in reducing risk.
What are the benefits of AACS training?
There is still an alarming incidence of accidental asbestos contamination happening on-site in Britain. Either through ignorance or carelessness, tradesmen are putting drills through walls or dismantling ceilings where asbestos is present and unleashing serious consequences. The health risk is well documented. But what about the financial and legal penalties? The cost of decontamination is heavy enough – but what if you are also liable for relocating workers or tenants and the attendant expenses? Add in the potential for legal action against you, and you could be looking at a substantial fine or even a jail sentence. Today’s legislation can apportion guilt at any and every stage of the chain of command – the individual, the contractor, even the client – so the stakes are very, very high.
AACS training cannot stop accidents happening. But by giving people an appreciation of what they’re dealing with, of the inherent dangers of working in an asbestos environment and of the consequences of poor working standards, it can help you minimise risky practice and avoid the pitfalls and punishments.
Moreover, as clients are becoming increasingly aware of their potential liabilities through their sub-contractors, subscribing to AACS will allow you to differentiate your company from your rivals, thus giving you a clear competitive edge.
Last but not least, training will give you access to preferential rates on any asbestos related service that you may require, particularly in terms of surveying and removal activities that relate to your own property portfolio.
What does AACS training involve?
Uniquely, there is no subscription fee. All we require is a commitment by your company or organisation to train all relevant staff and/or contractors to AACS standards – this will entitle your company to use the AACS logo.
By training your management and field staff to this standard, not only are you reducing the risks of an asbestos incident occurring, but also you are actively demonstrating to both your client and the Health and Safety Executive, that you are a responsible employer with a top-down culture of proactive risk management.
On successful course completion, staff will receive an AACS ID card plus a mini CD-Rom containing basic information on asbestos and course notes and contents. The CD-Rom for managers will additionally include key HSE documentation.
If your organisation has formal asbestos management policies and procedures, we can also upload these onto the CD-Rom for people to access and refer to more easily. If you don’t have a current written policy but would like one, then the AACS can help with the formulation of the relevant materials and upload them onto the CD-Rom for you.
Course overview:
- Asbestos and its uses
- Health effects
- Overview of current legislation and regulations
- Type 2 Surveys – Understanding the Asbestos Register
- Questions and answers
By pre arrangement, the course can be adapted to the incorporate clients' own asbestos policy at an additional cost
How much does AACS training cost?
Costs are dependant on the numbers of field staff that your company commits to putting through the training scheme and where the training course is to be held. Costs can also vary depending on the degree of bespoke training required. Please note that AACS courses have course approval from the CITB and qualify for CITB funding.
What additional support does AACS offer?
The AACS offers a dedicated helpline to all members, which can respond to queries and offer advice on all aspects of asbestos, safe working practice and relevant legislation.
The Asbestos Aware website is a useful repository of news and information with a raft of additional user resources planned for the future.
How long is the training good for?
Corporate and operative training should be refreshed annually. We will automatically notify you in advance that it is due for renewal and as long as the relevant training courses are completed successfully by the due date, you can enjoy uninterrupted use of the logo and AACS standard.
Disclaimer:
AACS cannot be held liable for any AACS trained person’s actions on site, whether or not they are working in an asbestos environment. They have only attended a basic awareness course, which in no way qualifies them to a) take samples of asbestos, b) remove asbestos, c) deal with any other maintenance activities which may or may not involve the disturbance of asbestos containing materials. Nor can training guarantee that every worker will work safely at all times and we cannot take responsibility for any incidents that occur as a result of unsafe practice. If any individual is in doubt as to the best way to proceed, he or she should use the AACS helpline, which will give access to the resources of a fully licensed asbestos contractor. Trained personnel must renew their training at least every two years in order to keep up to date with legislative and best practice requirements.
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