Calls for Trades Apprentices to Get Asbestos Training

AN AUTHORITY on asbestos is calling for new apprentices to be better equipped with lifesaving asbestos training to handle the deadly material safely.

The call to action, initiated by High Speed Training, requests that asbestos training is a mandatory requirement for new apprentices in the trades. The firm wants the Department for Education to make it part of the curriculum in building colleges in the UK.

The call comes as the government announces a proposal to increase the number of construction apprentices by 5,000. Sadly, the figure is matched by the number of lives claimed by asbestos every year – even 25 years after the material was banned.

Asbestos Training Open Letter

In an open letter, the asbestos experts are urging for mandatory asbestos training to be part of the apprenticeship curriculum.

The current requirements are for tradespeople to learn about asbestos at work, but 46% of tradespeople say this is insufficient.

November 2024 marks 25 years since all forms of asbestos were banned in the UK.

In light of the anniversary and to raise awareness around its dangers, High Speed Training, conducted a study on asbestos knowledge amongst tradespeople and the general public.

The research revealed a dangerous lack of understanding of the risks of asbestos amongst tradespeople. An ambivalence towards asbestos dangers, and a willingness to ignore life saving handling procedures were found.

The research also discovered that the majority of tradespeople (53%) have a negative perception of the asbestos training that they receive. One in five (20%) felt the training wasn’t authoritative, whilst 19% thought the training was outdated, and 11% claimed it felt like a tick box exercise. Alarmingly, one in 10 (11%) have never received any form of asbestos training.

Mandatory Asbestos Training

Tradespeople were also found to be supportive of increased asbestos training. Over 70% agree that asbestos awareness training should be a mandatory component of college or apprenticeship curriculums.

Nearly three quarters (74%) of tradespeople said there should be increased awareness of the dangers of asbestos and its potential impact on families and others.

In light of these findings, asbestos authorities have come together to call upon the government to make asbestos awareness training a mandatory requirement for those entering the trades.

How to Identify Asbestos

The open letter, signed by asbestos authorities and charities, calls for asbestos training to be part of trades courses at college, as well as apprenticeships.

The requests include:

1. Incorporating modules on asbestos, including its use, where it is commonly found, and how to identify potential exposure situations.
2. Practical training on correct practice, including safe identification, removal and disposal techniques. Plus, the correct PPE needed to safely handle asbestos.
3. Awareness of long-term health risks, for themselves, their families and the general public.

Action Must be Taken

Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning and Development at High Speed Training, says: “A quarter of a century after all forms of asbestos were banned in the UK, and 100 years since the first recorded death, asbestos remains a deadly problem that shows no signs of being solved.

“As older buildings built using asbestos deteriorate and are demolished, exposure to asbestos will only continue to become more of a problem for tradespeople, their families, and the general public. It is vital that future generations are properly equipped with the knowledge to protect themselves and others from the dangers of this deadly material.

“We call upon the government to expand the training requirements around asbestos for those seeking to enter the trades, helping to reduce exposure to asbestos, and prevent further increases to deadly conditions such as Mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis, that already claim upwards of 5,000 UK lives per year. This is a public interest issue, and a problem that will not be solved by choosing to ignore it. Action must be taken to save lives.”

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