The EssentialSkillz Asbestos Awareness eLearning course provides asbestos awareness training as per paragraphs 232 to 236 of the approved Code of Practice and guidance (ACOP) to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, L143. As stated in para 236 of L143: “Asbestos awareness will not prepare employees or self-employed contractors to carry out work with ACMs. Awareness training is only intended to help employees avoid carrying out work that will disturb asbestos or ACMs.”
The EssentialSkillz UKATA Asbestos Awareness eLearning course therefore provides a basic level of awareness to workers who might otherwise disturb asbestos in the course of their work. This includes maintenance staff, decorators, plumbers, electricians and installers. Other staff might also find it useful – for example, where office or retail staff might be tempted to attach a poster to a wall with drawing pins, or to hang Christmas decorations to a ceiling with sticky tape. Being aware of the risks of asbestos and the need to check asbestos locations is useful for almost any employee working in a building where there is asbestos.
Although asbestos management is outlined, this course is not a substitute for a full P405 Management of Asbestos in Buildings course, although it would provide useful preparation for a manager attending such a course.
The course can be used as part of an induction process, or as a refresher for existing staff.
The course should be supplemented with localised information, for example the location of the asbestos register and contacts in case of an emergency or other query.
The course is not sufficient for those carrying out deliberate removal or remediation of asbestos as part of their work.