The HSE’s target 4000 hours of face-to-face training to be donated by asbestos training companies to vulnerable tradesmen during September has been exceeded by almost 100 per cent.

Owing to an “overwhelming response” from training companies, 7987 hours of classroom training plus 5570 Web-based hours have been offered, equating to training for 4020 tradesmen who are likely to come into contact with asbestos. Training has been offered in languages other than English, including Romanian, Russian and Polish.


The free training is available throughout October and November and is aimed at tradesmen most likely to disturb asbestos fibres while carrying out their everyday work, such as joiners, electricians and plumbers, around 20 of whom lose their lives to asbestos-related diseases in the UK every week.
 
The asbestos training pledge initiative is part of HSE’s Hidden Killer campaign to raise awareness that asbestos is not just an historical problem, since around half a million non-domestic premises still contain the deadly fibre.

Karen Clayton, HSE’s director for long latency health risks, said: “This training will save lives by helping to tackle ignorance about the risks posed by working with asbestos. It will help prevent this hidden killer from claiming another generation of British tradesmen.  
 


“The response has been overwhelming and has completely exceeded our expectations. There has been a real groundswell of support from a whole range of training providers.
 
“We expect demand for the courses to high and urge tradesmen to get signed up now. A few hours in a classroom or in front of a computer could add decades to someone’s lives. The courses could literally be a life saver.”

Said Christine Winter, chair of Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP):
"It is fantastic to be part of something that has had such huge support and we thank the training industry – IATP members, those affiliated to other bodies and independent providers for their generosity. We will continue to spread the message of the dangers of asbestos exposure. Asbestos destroys individuals, families and communities.”  


Added Eddie Strong, vice-chair of the UK Asbestos Training Association: “As we enter the training period of the campaign after an overwhelming pledge period, the UKATA on behalf of its members would like to reaffirm its support for HSE and this great initiative.



For further information, go to: www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training-pledge