The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012: Regulation 10
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 outline the legal requirements an employer has to protect their employees from the risks associated with asbestos exposure. In this article, we will look at the main takeaways from Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations, which covers the requirements for asbestos awareness training, and non-licensable and licensable work training.
What are the Control of Asbestos Regulations?
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 are a set of regulations enforced by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that came into force in the UK on the 6th April 2012. These regulations replaced existing asbestos legislation, and were designed to better incorporate EU standards into UK law.
Some of the most prominent changes this legislation includes are:
- A requirement to report some non-licensed work to the relevant authority.
- A requirement for workers carrying out notifiable non-licensed work to be monitored by a doctor.
- The removal of the prohibition section.
- A requirement to maintain records of non-licensed work.
Application
What is meant by the control of asbestos?
Asbestos is a set of naturally occurring minerals that was commonly used in buildings before the year 2000. When asbestos is disturbed, its fibres are released into the air and can be inhaled by those working on the site, which leads to fatal consequences such as the development of asbestosis or lung cancer. Controlling asbestos refers to the strategies used to help keep workers and other relevant individuals safe.
What is regulation 10 and who does it apply to?
Asbestos is unlikely to cause harm to someone's health if it is not damaged. However, anyone who might be at risk of exposure due to the nature of their work should undergo relevant training to ensure that they know how to identify and avoid asbestos. According to regulation 10, every employer is responsible for providing their employees with adequate information, instruction and training if they are likely to be exposed to asbestos or supervise such employees.
The Key Points of Regulation 10
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires employers to provide any employees who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos with adequate information, instruction and training. This information, instruction and training must be offered regularly and adapted as required to reflect any changes in the nature of the work or the methods used to carry it out.
It is important to note that a training course is not enough to make an employee competent. Instead, competence is acquired over time as an employee utilising the skills and knowledge learnt during training.
Also, refresher training should be provided yearly, or more frequently if any significant work change occurs, such as the introduction of new work methods or different types of equipment.
There are three main types of information, instruction and training:
- Asbestos awareness.
- Non-licensable work with asbestos.
- Licensable work with asbestos.
The specific kind of training a person receives, and its duration, will depend on:
- The nature of the job.
- The type of training (whether it is an initial training or refresher training).
- The role for which the person is being trained.
Asbestos Awareness
Asbestos awareness training is required for all employees whose work puts them at risk of disturbing asbestos, and those who supervise such work. This awareness training should cover:
- The properties of asbestos and its effect on health.
- The different types of asbestos.
- Emergency procedures that should be used upon discovering asbestos.
- Safety measures that can be used to help avoid the risk posed by asbestos.
Non-licensable Work With Asbestos
Non-licensable work with asbestos training is required for employees whose work is likely to disturb the asbestos-containing materials. This training should include information on:
- Safe work practices, and their purpose.
- The work methods that can result in exposure to asbestos.
- Appropriate decontamination, waste and emergency procedures.
- How to assess the risk of asbestos exposure.
Employees who use work equipment, such as personal protective equipment or class H vacuum cleaners, should also be offered practical training on how to use it.
Licensable Work With Asbestos
Licensable work with asbestos training is for those employees who are likely to be exposed to asbestos regularly, and in high volumes. The training for licensable work should include information on:
- The importance of safety measures.
- The purpose of safe work practices
- The risks that arise from taking home contaminated equipment.
- Maintenance of control measures.
- Site set-up and clean-up.
- Waste handling and emergency procedures.
Practical training should also be provided, which may cover:
- The use of PPE.
- Decontamination procedures.
- Controlled removal techniques.
- On-site waste removal.
- Enclosure procedures.
Alongside this, additional training should be offered to those who supervise licensed asbestos work in order to help them fulfil their role on the site. The training may include:
- A description of their responsibilities and the importance of supervision.
- Guidance on how to implement new strategies based on the risk assessment.
- The importance of safety measures.
- Guidance on how to deal with emergencies and a situation where the previously implemented safety measures cannot be followed.
While holding a valid asbestos training certificate is not a legal requirement, it is a good way of demonstrating that you have been provided with relevant training from an accredited organisation. At Commodious, we offer an IATP-approved Asbestos Awareness course on our website:
