To provide an awareness and develop the knowledge amongst employees regarding the hazards and risks posed by asbestos containing materials (ACMs).

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, Regulation 10 requires every employer to ensure that adequate information, instruction and training is given to their employees who are or who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise such employees.

Asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. It should be given to all demolition workers and those workers in the refurbishment, maintenance and allied trades where it is foreseeable that their work will disturb the fabric of the building because ACMs may become exposed during their work.  Exemption from this requirement would apply only where the employer can demonstrate that work will only be carried out in or on buildings free of ACMs.

The course further gives an overview of the legislative measures in place to permit employees to safeguard themselves and others affected by work activities and to:

• have an increased awareness of the nature and properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke
• be familiar with the types, uses and likely occurrences of asbestos in buildings and where appropriate items of plant
• know where to obtain information on asbestos in premises prior to commencing work
• know what to do if suspicious materials are found
• how to use appropriate workplace precautions, including the risk assessment process, or seek advice on workplace precautions, in respect of the risks of asbestos
• undertake work activities in a safe manner and without risk to themselves or others
• have an awareness of the key aspects of the asbestos regulations and how they fit into the broader context of health and safety legislation
• know what procedures to follow when coming into unintentional contact with ACMs and an understanding of the appropriate emergency arrangements

Headteachers
Premises Managers
School Business Managers
Staff responsible for building management and maintenance

This course has been specially designed to develop both the competence and confidence of delegates to conduct Risk Assessments within the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

It is highly interactive and stimulating with a mixture of key learning points, activities, video and group-based discussion to help ensure a valuable learning experience.

Employees will:

• understand your Health and Safety responsibilities within the Royal Borough of Greenwich
• understand the relationship between a hazard, risk and control measure
• understand the steps for a Risk Assessment.
• complete a Risk Assessment and apply risk control hierarchy in the control measures
• be familiar with internal procedures and the following documents: 
  • Responsibilities
  • General Risk Assessment procedure
  • General Risk Assessment guidance
  • Risk Assessment document
  • Example RBG Risk Assessments

Risk Assessment workshop:

• Review examples of risk
• Assessments
• Identify operational risks and complete a Risk Assessment

All employees who will undertake Risk Assessments.