Is Asbestos Training a Legal Responsibility?
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations, 2012 (CAR 2012) requires employers to ensure that adequate information, instruction, and training is given to all employees that are liable to be exposed to asbestos, and employees who supervise those liable to be exposed to asbestos.
Paragraph 233 of the Health & Safety Executive’s approved code of practice lists these staff as:
- Demolition workers
- Construction workers
- Maintenance staff
- Electricians
- Plumbers
- Gasfitters
- Painters and decorators
- Joiners
- Shopfitters
- Plasterers
- Roofers
- Heating and ventilation engineers
- Telecommunications engineers
- Computer and data installers
- Alarm installers
- Architects, building surveyors, and other building professionals
Anyone undertaking work with asbestos will need to have additional task-based training upon the works they are performing. This training must be refreshed on an annual basis. In addition to training those undertaking any work, apart from that which is considered to be low risk, will also need to undergo medical surveillance.