All organisations need some training for employees' health, safety, and well-being. Asbestos awareness training is one of the most important. But how do you choose the best asbestos training course for your company? With two leading training associations, the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP), each offering their own asbestos awareness training accreditation, which is best? Is there a difference?
Are you looking for asbestos training? Our online asbestos awareness course is IATP approved. We recommend it for those working around asbestos material but not directly with it.
What is Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos awareness training is required in the workplace, mainly when working on structures built before 2000. Because asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) cause 5,000 deaths in the UK each year, employers are legally bound to provide asbestos awareness training to their employees.
Asbestos awareness training educates managers and employees on the dangers of ACMs in buildings, facilities, and equipment. This training decreases the threat of exposure and subsequent injury.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests a simplified course for asbestos awareness. It requires that asbestos awareness courses cover the following:
- the risks of asbestos;
- the legal and regulatory framework that underpins asbestos management;
- what an asbestos-containing material looks like;
- where asbestos can exist in a building;
- the precautions to take before working on a building; and
- what to do if you uncover or disturb asbestos.
What Type of Asbestos Awareness Training is Best?
Online training is a convenient and accessible option for asbestos awareness training.
The HSE recognises that online training (eLearning) is an effective method of delivering asbestos awareness training. Online asbestos awareness courses must fit the standards of Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the associated Approved Code of Practise L14, and proper accreditation from a reputable training association ensures that the training will be of high quality.
How to Choose Asbestos Awareness Training?
There are several asbestos awareness training companies. Various trade agencies, associations, and non-profit organisations also audit and endorse training providers and the courses they offer. While the HSE authorises none of these institutions, they are an essential aspect of asbestos management and can help those responsible for sourcing the training choose the best course for their needs.
The United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and the Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP) are the primary asbestos training associations in the United Kingdom.
Who is IATP?
The IATP stands for the Independent Asbestos Training Providers.
IATP are a nationally recognised not-for-profit organisation. IATP ensure that any online training provider is individually audited to ensure the Asbestos course provided meets all IATP standards and requirements. IATP supports the HSE’s ‘Asbestos: Hidden Killer’ campaign, which raises awareness of the dangers of asbestos among tradespeople.
Who is UKATA?
UKATA, or the UK Asbestos Training Association, is a private company set up in 2008. It is also a not-for-profit organisation and is nationally recognised.
What's the difference between UKATA approved and IATP approved?
Simply put, there is no difference between either UKATA or IATP as certification bodies. They both offer universally recognised Asbestos Awareness Online Training certificates.
Many organisations offer certificated asbestos awareness training and accreditations. Some of these are:
- UKATA
- IATP
- RoSPA
- IOSH
- IIRSM
Only two of these organisations, IATP and UKATA, are widely accepted by the insurance industry, local authorities, and major construction contractors.
All members of the SSIP (Safety Schemes In Procurement), such as CHAS, SafeContractor, ConstructionLine, Exor and SMAS, also recognise both UKATA and IATP.
Choosing courses with accreditation from either of these organisations contributes to successful tender bids, winning contracts, and, most notably, the safety of the course takers.
Our Online Asbestos Awareness course can help keep your workers safe from the risks of working closely with asbestos. It is a widely accepted IATP approved asbestos course suitable for desktops, tablets, or smartphones.
