FEATURE
PROTECT BRITAIN’S CONSTRUCTION WORKFORCE, SAYS IOM
The Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) call for a training shake up in the construction industry in a bid to protect the UK’s workforce against asbestos exposure.
It is a little known fact that asbestos in the UK construction industry is responsible for 14 deaths every day. While this is as a result of a lack of understanding and protection in years gone by, Britain’s asbestos legacy remains a threat to those who aren’t aware of the dangers or know how to handle the material.
Following Global Asbestos Awareness Week which took place from the 1st – 7th April 2016, the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) said that business owners can take important steps to protect the future workforce.
John Toms, IOM’s Director of Asbestos Services said: “Despite the best efforts of many workplace health campaigns on the dangers of asbestos exposure, current training methods are often insufficient. Mandatory asbestos awareness training across the construction sector really must include practical elements and be tailored to specific job roles.
“An architect should not receive the same template for training as a labourer. We also need to understand that a typical one-hour online course doesn’t allow for any interaction with the trainer. There’s no opportunity for a simple question and answer session to enable those being ‘trained’ to clarify any misunderstandings. Most importantly, training should only be conducted by specialists in the field.”
Whilst every construction worker is rightly required to undertake basic asbestos awareness training, no record of this is legally required on their Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card which every worker must carry as proof that they
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have undertaken the correct training and qualifications for their role. Most principal contractors and major house builders require construction workers on their sites to hold a valid CSCS card, yet rely on printed off online ‘certificates’ as proof that their employees are sufficiently asbestos-aware.
If you search for Asbestos Awareness via a search engine, a raft of companies are shown offering very low cost ‘training’. Phrases like ‘cheapest online course’ and ‘download your certificate today’ are displayed.
John Toms added: “On all building sites, workers need to don a hard hat, safety boots and protective clothing, but none of this will protect against asbestos. We must arm the workforce with adequate and personal training to deal with this hazard safely and protect Britain’s current and future construction professionals.”
“ASBESTOS IN THE UK
CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS RESPONSIBLE
FOR 14 DEATHS EVERY DAY.”
IOM have been working closely with a plethora of professional industry bodies for 40 years to improve the research, policy and regulation of asbestos. The organisation commends the ongoing work conducted by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) in this area.
John Toms concludes: “There is still much to be done by industry to help combat the effects of asbestos, however, the provision of appropriate, professional training is a positive place to start.”
For further information please visit:
www.iom-world.org/services/ asbestos-services/
www.tomorrowshs.com
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