AACS Urgent Compliance Update
» Why do I need to consider asbestos
awareness training now? |
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With the introduction
the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, there is now an explicit asbestos awareness
training requirement for employees engaged in refurbishment, demolition,
general building or maintenance work, where there is risk of disturbing
asbestos during the course of their work. Employers need to adequately
educate their workforce on the risks associated with asbestos - the HSE
estimates that some 1.8 million workers will need appropriate training. |
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Who is the need for training so urgent? |
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Through the HSE's Duty to Manage Asbestos Enforcement Initiative 2007/8 it has been made clear that non-compliance will not be tolerated. The HSE is escalating its enforcement activity and a number of county councils and unitary authorities, as well as private companies, have already been issued with either improvement or prohibition notices. If you have not yet made sufficient provision for information, instruction and training in respect of Regulation 10, then you need to rectify the situation immediately. |
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What are the penalties for non-compliance? |
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Currently,
non-compliance is resulting in the issue of improvement notices and in the
event of persistent offending, prohibition notices. The latter enforces an
immediate cessation of works with all the attendant disruption, inconvenience
and expense. It is also important to note that non-compliance increases the
risk of asbestos-related incidents in the workplace, which could have serious
health, legal and financial ramifications. Fines, prosecutions, even a prison
sentence could result, hence the need to invest in preventative awareness
training for managers and employees.. |
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Who needs asbestos awareness training? |
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The Regulations identify the
following trades people as likely to be at risk of coming into contact with
asbestos during their work: >>
General maintenance staff |
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What is the specific training requirement? |
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Regulation 10 gives specific details of the instruction and training that needs to be given to employees. In summary, any course should cover: Regulation 10 gives specific details
of the instruction and training that needs to be given to employees. In
summary, any course should cover: The AACS course exceeds the requirements of Regulation
10 for asbestos awareness training. Please note that the regulations require
annual refresher training |
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What are the benefits of AACS training? |
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The key
benefit is compliance with Regulation 10. The Asbestos Aware Contractors
Scheme (AACS) was the first specialist training course designed specifically for
non-licensed trades people, to enable their
employers to fully comply with their legal requirements. The AACS course has
been running successfully for the past three years and thousands of people
are now working more safely and securely as a result of their participation.
While the course is designed to comply with Regulation 10 it also includes useful instruction as regards Regulation 4 The Duty to Manage Asbestos in Non-domestic Premises and various other regulations. Courses can be arranged at any time - they're 'ready to go', designed along best practice and can be provided quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. There is no need to partner with someone to design an expensive tailor-made course - the AACS scheme is proven and deliverable today. The AACS provides a CD-ROM to all participants that includes not just the course notes but also a range of informative PDFs and links to websites such as the HSE. A company's own asbestos management policy can also be placed on the disc at a cost. Each delegate receives a photo ID card, which is a more secure, durable and portable option than a certificate. The photo provides more assurance that the holder is who he says he is and provides a traceable record via a unique membership number. Ultimately,
training is not just about keeping within the law but keeping people safe.
Thousands of avoidable asbestos-related accidents happen every year with
consequent risk to health, reputation and the corporate wallet. The HSE is
determined to get these numbers down through preventative training and we
would urge compliance at the earliest opportunity. |
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The
half-day course is one of the leading - and most established - asbestos
awareness training initiatives in the UK, having trained over 4000 delegates
to date. Every delegate receives a comprehensive overview of the subject in
line with Regulation 10's recommended content and is given a set of course
notes on a CD-Rom to take away. |
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AACS course costs depend on numbers of delegates and
training location, whether on site or at our offices. On-site prices are £550
for one half-day course (recommended 20-25 delegates) or £900 for two courses
held on the same day. Public courses, aimed at individuals, contractors and
smaller companies, with a maximum of 15 delegates, will take place on the
last Thursday of every month during 2008. Public course costs start at £40
per person for a five delegate booking rising to £50 per person for
1-4 delegates (min charge of £150 applies) |
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The
AACS course is already one of the most competitively priced in the industry.
But if you are eligible for the CITB training levy, then each participant
will also attract a £17.50 discount. The AACS training meets the levy
requirement for a course length of a half-day ie 3
hours. |
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For more
information or to discuss a booking please contact Paula Barr on 01268 534477
or email paulabarr@aspectcontracts.co.uk. Alternatively please visit our
website at www.asbestosaware.org AACS is a probationary member of UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association) |
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