Training

bSure offers training courses for tradespersons so they can work with asbestos in a safe and systematic way. The courses available a re Asbestos Awareness, Asbestos Sampling and Small Works with Asbestos. All the training courses comply with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Control of asbestos regulations 2006 (CAR 2006). According to the CAR 2006 approved code of practice L143, "Asbestos awareness training. This is for those persons who are liable to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out..."

Asbestos Awareness

The course content consists of both written and oral presentation, and by demonstration as necessary and covers the following basic elements,

1. the properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke;
2. the types, uses and likely occurrence of asbestos and ACMs in buildings and plant;
3. the general procedures to be followed to deal with an emergency, for example an uncontrolled release of asbestos dust into the workplace; and
4. how to avoid the risks from asbestos, for example for building work, no employee should carry out work which disturbs the fabric of a building unless the employer has confirmed that ACMs are not present.

Asbestos Sampling

This course covers safely sampling materials that may contain asbestos and includes the elements for asbestos awareness training, the necessary 'additional information, instruction and training' elements and demonstration of sampling techniques using different tools on different materials.
The candidates carry out practical training work in the following elements.

1. Correct use of RPE/PPE
2. Safe sampling and bagging of asbestos materials
3. Correct recording of sampling data

Small Works with Asbestos

The course is aimed at workers who work with non-licensable asbestos materials, and for working with small amounts of licensable asbestos materials under the 'work of short duration' exemption detailed in the Control of asbestos regulations 2006 regulation 3 (par. 41). This course covers safely working with asbestos containing materials and includes the elements for asbestos awareness training, the necessary 'additional information, instruction and training' elements and demonstration of working techniques and control measures for working with asbestos materials.
The candidates carry out practical training work in the following elements.

1. Correct use of RPE/PPE
2. Use of controlled wet spraying
3. Use of local exhaust ventilation (shadow vacuum technique)
4. Safe removal of an insulating board panel
5. Correct bagging of asbestos waste

Refresher Training

According to the CAR 2006 approved code of practice L143, "Refresher training should be given at least every year and should be appropriate to the role undertaken. Those persons who require only awareness training could have refresher training as part of other health and safety updates. Employers should identify the specific training needs of their employees so that the refresher training can be appropriately tailored. It should not be a repeat of the initial training. Where training needs dictate, refresher training should include an appropriate element of practical training, particularly covering decontamination procedures, use of RPE, and controlled removal techniques. Refresher training will be required more frequently than annually if:

1. work methods change;
2. the type of equipment used to control exposure changes; or
3. the type of work carried out changes significantly.