Asbestos training sinks to lowest level in 5 years

The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) has raised concerns about the lack of asbestos training in the construction industry that has been undertaken since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Despite the re-opening of construction sites in May, the number of workers undertaking asbestos training courses continues to remain well below average.

Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, an average of 18,000 workers a month completed asbestos training.

Over the last six months (March-August), an average of 6,000 workers a month undertook asbestos training delivered by UKATA-approved providers, a fall of more than 66%.

Health & safety ‘overlooked’

Craig Evans, chief operating officer of UKATA, commented: “Our concern is health and safety training is being overlooked as construction sites push to make up for time lost during the lockdown.

“This not only increases construction workers’ risk of exposure to deadly asbestos but also the buildings’ users.

“Asbestos-related health issues, such as lung cancer and mesothelioma, are not identified immediately after exposure to asbestos. It takes between 15 years and up to 60 years before deadly asbestos-related diseases present themselves.

“The latency period of asbestos, coupled with a substantial drop in training numbers, could mean that the UK will be facing a greater amount of deaths from asbestos over the next 15 – 60 years. To reduce this risk it is important that delivery of asbestos training returns to pre-Covid levels.”

The largest single industrial killer

Deaths from asbestos exposure have increased dramatically in the last 15 years after widespread use between the 1950s and 70s.

Since 2018, there have been more than 5,000 deaths annually in the UK from asbestos-related cancers – the largest single industrial killer ever seen in the UK.

The HSE recommends that refresher training courses should be undertaken to help ensure awareness is maintained.

The asbestos regulations also make it clear that asbestos training for non-licensable and licensable asbestos works should be carried out at least annually.

To ensure asbestos training continues to be accessible during the pandemic, UKATA approved its 200-member companies and individuals to deliver asbestos courses by video conference technology.

Evans added: “It is now vitally important that all construction employers and workers ensure that all asbestos training is up-to-date.

“These are difficult times, but this is a matter of life or death.”