Free training to combat asbestos death toll

The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI), in partnership with the training industry, is organising free training to help local tradespeople protect themselves from deadly asbestos.

The new scheme, ‘Asbestos Training Pledge NI’, will run for 12 weeks from 7 January to 29 March 2013.

In the last five years there have been more than 300 deaths in Northern Ireland due to past exposures to asbestos and this number is expected to rise.

There is still a lot of asbestos material in buildings – anywhere built or refurbished before the year 2000 is likely to contain asbestos.

Anyone responsible for the maintenance and repair of non-domestic premises is the ‘duty holder’ and has a legal duty to manage the risk from asbestos. The ‘duty holder’ must inform tradesmen if asbestos is present in a building they are working on.

‘Duty holders’ must make sure they have an asbestos register, and to make it available on request. HSENI continues to encourage tradespeople to ask the ‘duty holder’ to see the asbestos register before they start work.

Launching the training initiative, HSENI’s Head of Workplace Health, Cyril Anderson, said:

“Everyone should avoid working with asbestos if possible. But, if you need to work with asbestos then make sure you have proper training before you start.

“By raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos and by promoting measures to help reduce its harmful effects, we can help protect the health of our workforce, and save lives.

“Asbestos Training Pledge NI offers a great opportunity to learn more about the dangers from asbestos and follows on from HSENI’s ‘Hidden Killer’ and ‘Duty to Manage’ awareness campaigns.

“I’d encourage everyone who through their work may come into contact with asbestos to take advantage of this free training and to book a place today.”

Endorsing the new scheme Christine Winter of the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) said: “Asbestos destroys individuals, families and communities. IATP members are proud to be contributing to the Asbestos Training Pledge NI initiative.”

Training providers in Northern Ireland and Great Britain have pledged 1,000* places that are available via e-learning or classroom based courses.

There is no charge for the training but as places are limited they will be offered on a first come first served basis.

For more information on the scheme and to find out how to sign up for courses please visit www.hseni.gov.uk/asbestos/pledgeni or call 0800 0320 121.