East Midlands tradesmen to confront a hidden killer

Date:

6 October 2011

Release No:

EM/241/11

Free training offer helps smash target to tackle 4000 asbestos death toll

Tradesmen in the East Midlands can now take advantage of hundreds of hours of free asbestos awareness training in a bid to tackle ignorance about Britain's biggest industrial killer.

During October and November 296.5 hours of face-to-face training have been pledged for tradesmen the East Midlands with an additional 5,570 hours of web-based training also available which includes courses in Romanian, Russian and Polish.

In 2008 - the latest year for which figures are available, 144 people died from asbestos-related cancer, mesothelioma in the East Midlands and it is hoped that training will help prevent it claiming another generation of tradesmen.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), in partnership with industry, set a poignant target of 4000 hours of face-to-face training to be donated during September - one hour for each life lost to asbestos-related illnesses in an average year. A target of a further 4000 hours of online training was also set.

But, thanks to an overwhelming response from training providers across Britain, the combined target of 8,000 hours has been smashed by more than 50 percent (see Notes to editors).

Free training in the East Midlands is available at:

• Aston on Trent, Derbyshire, on 4 November
• Chesterfield on 11 October and 22 November
• Lincoln on 11 October and 11 November
• Northampton on 17 and 24 October
• Nottingham on 9 November
• Towcester on 18 October

The free training is aimed at those most likely to disturb the asbestos fibres as they go about their work - tradesmen such as joiners, electricians and plumbers, around 20 of whom lose their lives to asbestos-related diseases 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 - around half a million non-domestic premises still contain it.

Said Rosi Edwards, HSE's regional director:

"This training will save lives by getting tradesmen to realise that their day to day job could - completely unintentionally - expose them to asbestos. The training will help them recognise where they may come across asbestos, how to recognise it and what to do about it and prevent this hidden killer from claiming another generation of British tradesmen.

"The response has been overwhelming and has completely exceeded our expectations. There's been a real groundswell of support from a whole range of training providers.

"We expect demand for the courses to be high and urge tradesmen to go to www.hse.gov.uk and 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 literally could be a life saver."

Joanne Gordon, co-ordinator at Derbyshire Asbestos Support Team, which helps victims of asbestos related diseases and their families across the East Midlands, added:

"We are really pleased that training providers across the East Midlands have joined in with this initiative and pledged free training. Last quarter we helped 73 people diagnosed with asbestos related diseases, so it is so important that companies take up this training and protect their workforce from these terrible conditions."

Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP), the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) and the Asbestos Safety Health Environmental e-Learning Association (ASHeLA) have been inviting their members to pledge.

Those wanting to sign up to free training, classroom-based or web-based can see what has been pledged by following links on HSE's website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training-pledge

Notes to editors

1. Across Britain a total of 7,987 hours of classroom training have been offered up along with 5,570 web-based hours, equating to training for 4,020 tradesmen
2. There are four main diseases associated with inhalation of asbestos fibres. These are asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue caused by asbestos), two kinds of cancer (mesothelioma and asbestos related lung cancer), and diffuse pleural thickening (a non-malignant disease affecting the lung lining). For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asbestos.htm
3. Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 details training requirements. There are three main types:-
   1. Asbestos awareness training - for workers likely to disturb asbestos while carrying out their normal everyday work, or who may influence how work is carried out;
   2. Training for non-licensable asbestos work - for those workers undertaking planned work with asbestos which is not licensable, such as a roofer or demolition worker removing a whole asbestos cement sheet in good condition or for workers such as asbestos surveyors;
   3. Training for licensable work with asbestos - for those working with asbestos which is licensable such as removing asbestos insulation or insulating board.
4. Comments from initiative partners:
   • Christine Winter, Chair of 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.
   • Eddie Strong, UKATA Vice-Chairman:
     "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. Our members have been extremely generous in giving up their time to support such a cause, pledging 3412.5 hours of free training which equates to training for 975 tradesmen. If it will just help save one life from this horrendous disease, then it will have been well worthwhile. UKATA recognises that it is not just down to our members but also, that of other groups and independent training providers who have equally made this campaign what it is.
   • Max Lopacki from ASHEeLA:
     "We are extremely encouraged by the response to the eLearning pledges which are fast being taken up by a wide variety of trademen from the self-employed to those working for SMEs or larger organisations such as local authorities and universities. We have also had a very positive response to the foreign language courses offered. Our members are pleased to see that eLearning is helping to bridge the gap in asbestos awareness training"

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Issued on behalf of HSE by COI News & PR East Midlands