Everyone has the right to work safely and return home without risk to their health. With strict legislation in place, why are so many workers still exposed to asbestos, a substance that can cause fatal diseases?
Understanding Your Responsibility
Employers must ensure a safe working environment through risk assessments and method statements. For the self-employed who manage and carry out their own work, this responsibility falls on them. All trades, including heating and plumbing, electricians, roofers, carpenters, are particularly at risk of exposure.
Asbestos was fully banned in the UK in 1999, but asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) remain in many buildings today. These can be found in boxing, insulation, textured coatings, floor tiles, water tanks, old boilers, roof materials, packers, electrical equipment and many more common areas where tradespeople work and disturb the fabric of the building. However over recent years it is becoming more and more commonly found with the ground when excavating for new construction, so buildings are not alone when trades are likely to come across asbestos.
The Hidden Risk
Each year, around 5,000 asbestos-related deaths occur in the UK, more than road traffic fatalities. On average, asbestos exposure kills 20 tradespeople every week, including plumbers, electricians, and joiners. It remains the UK’s leading cause of work-related deaths.
Unlike other workplace hazards, asbestos-related diseases develop over time, often appearing 15 to 60 years after exposure. This delay can create a false sense of security, leading workers to underestimate the risks.
Managing Asbestos Safely
Asbestos isn’t always dangerous, if intact and undisturbed, it poses no immediate risk. In non-domestic buildings, duty holders must manage asbestos by conducting asbestos surveys, document locations, and implement management plans to prevent exposure.
In domestic properties, responsibility varies. While landlords and local authorities manage asbestos in communal areas, employers must ensure safe working conditions in private homes.
Why Training is Essential
Despite regulations, asbestos exposure still occurs due to a lack of awareness or training. By law, any worker who may come into contact with ACMs must receive asbestos awareness training before starting work. This training covers:
- Recognising potential ACMs in different settings
- Understanding legal responsibilities and industry regulations
- Implementing safe work practices to minimise exposure risk
- Knowing when to stop work and seek further advice
It’s important to note that asbestos awareness training is not sufficient for working directly with ACMs, it is designed for avoidance only.
Training for Work with ACMs
For lower-risk asbestos work such as drilling into ACMs, removing old cisterns, gaskets, or flue pipes, workers must complete non-licensable asbestos training.
For higher-risk materials, only HSE-licensed contractors can legally remove them, such as insulation and insulating board. Employers and duty holders can also undertake asbestos management training to ensure compliance.
Raising Standards Through Training
Proper asbestos training is crucial for protecting workers and raising safety standards in construction. UKATA-approved training providers ensure the highest standards of asbestos education, helping to build trust and compliance in the industry.
To find out more, click the link below.
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