Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK. It was extensively used as a building material in the UK from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s, although the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) warn that any building built before the year 2000 could still contain asbestos. It was used for a variety of purposes and was ideal for fireproofing and insulation.
Asbestos is dangerous when the fibres are breathed in, meaning that when the material is intact it is normally safe, but when broken or disturbed (e.g. during demolition or renovation projects) it is extremely dangerous as the fibres/dust are inhaled and can cause asbestos-related illnesses such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
The effects on a person's health are similar to most COSHH risks in that the onset of ill-health may take a number of years to develop, when the damage has already been done. Although asbestos dust and fibres may be considered by many as a COSHH substance, asbestos is not covered under COSHH regulations as it has its own set of regulations, namely the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
Due to the high risk nature of asbestos, it is vital that workers in industries such as the construction industry are all aware of the dangers to health and safety that asbestos poses, including how to recognise it and what to do if it is encountered.
This is a Category A course on asbestos awareness. As well as informing you about the risks of working with asbestos, the course will deliver a lot more information about: recognising asbestos, where it is used, minimising the risks, and the legislation about working with asbestos.
