Hi guys, I've been searching the web with rather fruitless results for some information in relation to Asbestos training, specifically, I'd like to train to be able to deliver Asbestos Awareness Courses. Can anyone help with a couple of queries? What additional training would I require along with my Tech IOSH, I'm planning to start my Diploma in December but are there specific Asbestos qualifications which need to be gained? Any information anyone can provide in relation to this would be very gratefully received. Thank you valued Health & Safety Colleagues!

Louise Try << http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training.htm >> Information on British Occupational Hygiene Society [1] Independent Asbestos Training Providers [2] United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association [3] Asbestos Safety Health Environment E-Learning Association Is towards the end of the page Regards Davies 36197

Hi Louise the Asbestos Awareness Training Course does not require any specific qualification to deliver, it is a 2 or 3 hour session to the workforce. Remember it is Awareness Training; NOT training to provide sampling, surveys or working with asbestos which is at a much higher level and require a specific qualification. Why not attend an asbestos awareness course yourself before going further with this if you have doubts. You already have experience and qualifications in the Health Safety & Training field. Ensure that you are familiar with: 1. Current Asbestos Regs, ACOP & Guidance (NB some minor changes to these are in process) 2. Contents of your Asbestos Surveys 3. Your company Asbestos Standards / Rules / Policies If you want to do this for your current employer then you can take the opportunity to include any information that you have from any Asbestos surveys and any company asbestos rules. Good Luck Steve PS I have a presentation that needs updating

Yet again another situation where people think that they can take a training course and be competent to train others. When will we realise that you need experience in a situation before you can train others, all the training skills in the world are no use if you don't have an in depth knowledge of your subject.

I can't pronounce a lot of fancy words, especially medical and scientific words. I'm not thick, far from it, I'm just not good with stupidly complex words. All this talk about having to have expereince with asbestos to deliver asbestos awareness training is nonsense. You need have a good knowlegde of asbestos and competence in training and the course needs to be robust in content (mine took a lot of research and time to put it together) but I have never worked with asbestos. .....but then I have never worked in construction or manufacturing or farming or printing (I could go on and on but you get my drift) and yet I am a consultant for all those industries. Does that mean that I am lacking in competence to advise those industries?

I have to say, I'm with Clairel on this. It all boils down to what has been said on these boards many times in the past - know your limits, and understand your level of competence/ understanding of a given area.

Without a thorough (time served) understanding of the subject matter, how can one possibly respond to individual questions, scenarios etc in a 'value added' way?

Clairel, Hypothetically, if choosing to take up snake handling, I could learn about snakes via e learning, or, I could choose to receive training from an experienced snake handler.... SSSSimple choice for me!

Surely "snake handling" is somewhat different to "snake awareness" - I know what the ACOP says about "practical experience", but again surely "asbestos awareness" depending on premises etc might not require huge amounts of practical experience. Isn't all this supposed to be proportional?

Clairel If anything happens the inspector will happily state the HSE e learning is not sufficient alone. I will hold my position for any training in the context of asbestos. Without experience anyone is by definition of competence, including the HSE's, not competent in the subject. I see nothing in the acop that says any competent trainer can provide training it is that trainers must be competent,[sic in asbestos work] Bob