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Asbestos in Schools |
Asbestos Experts Comments on
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Construction Index |
Comments from asbestos consultants on the HSE Web Communities site |
Construction Index |
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A new app developed by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) as part of its asbestos awareness campaign has been criticised by the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association.
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The following is a flavour of the comments from asbestos consultants on the HSE Web Communities Site. If people wish to join the HSE asbestos web-community then follow this link and there is a list of the discussions and the web names, etc of the writers can be seen by registering on that site ------------------------------------------------ I am agog and stunned into silence. I have just navigated the HSE's new online app giving advice on all things asbestos that you might encounter whilst working onsite. Unless I am very much mistaken the general advice seems to be download your task sheet put on a pair of paper overalls and a disposable mask and then fill your boots for up to two hours of fun packed asbestos devastation. I have always had reservations about HSG210 and the message that type of guidance sends out to the building and contracting trades. I have had many a lively debate with people who think that with limited knowledge, understanding and in this new App's case no training you can spend up to two hours playing with asbestos containing materials that can liberate huge amounts of airborne asbestos fibres. I am all for spreading the word but this seems to be spread the asbestos!! ----------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------- I called into a DIY store yesterday evening to do a little bit of 'secret shopping'. While there I asked about asbestos and sought advice on what to do if I were to require the removal of a ceiling that had textured coating on it in a building built in the 1960's which I believed contained some of this asbestos stuff (I'm good at looking uneducated, many years of practice). --------------------------------- If you think the recent forum comments on TC were fun then have a look at the potential that this gives. |
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has expressed its ‘surprise and disappointment’ at criticism of its asbestos app.Last week the directors of the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) said that the HSE app called Beware Asbestos could encourage untrained people to carry out asbestos removal work, rather than call in a licensed specialist contractor. (See previous report here.) Kären Clayton, director of the HSE’s long latency health risks division, said: “HSE is surprised and disappointed that the United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) appears to be arguing for the removal of free advice aimed at those who might otherwise remain unaware of the risks they face with regards to asbestos. “HSE’s Beware Asbestos campaign is aimed at, and reaching, thousands of trades people and workers who undertake jobs on a daily basis that intentionally or unintentionally disturb asbestos. Many of these workers are ignorant of the risks they face when they carry out common tasks such as drilling holes in textured ceilings and replacing old panels around baths. The web app takes already existing advice on how to do these tasks safely and presents it in an easy to understand way that workers can carry around with them. “The web app is very clear in stating what jobs tradespeople must not do, and indeed helps them to find and contact licensed asbestos contractors in their area who can do those jobs for them. “While commercially available training courses, such as those provided by UKATA’s members, play an important part in educating workers on what they must do, it is also vital that as many workers as possible know about the risk they face from asbestos and of the simple measures they can follow to protect themselves. This is what the web app and the wider ‘Beware Asbestos’ campaign is all about.”
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