Asbestos is an extremely hazardous and harmful material. Recent statistics identify that in 2015 there were 222 deaths recorded where asbestosis was the cause. However, these figures could be inaccurate. This is due to the difficulty in identifying the cause of many lung condition related deaths.

To safeguard against asbestos you can complete Asbestos Awareness training. This article will look at statistics, the course content and also the details of the course.

Asbestos related diseases take years to develop. Therefore, many of the current cases were caused by exposure to asbestos in previous years.

Levels of asbestos exposure were particularly high in the years prior to 1980. In the era following World War Two, much of the building material contained asbestos.

Therefore, the current statistics are expected to continue at similar levels until the end of the decade. The statistics are then expected to decline due to improved safety measures and increased awareness of asbestos after 1980.

Asbestos Awareness Training– Who needs it?

Any worker that carries out work that could disturb asbestos carrying materials. Asbestos Awareness training provides information on how to avoid asbestos and situations where it may be encountered or disturbed.

A worker will need extra training if they carry out work that will directly involve dealing with asbestos. The Asbestos Awareness course does not allow the worker to work in a role that requires contact with asbestos.

Some of the job roles that will benefit from the training are below:

• Maintenance workers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Joiners
• Painters and decorators
• Plasterers
• Construction workers
• Roofers
• Shop fitters
• Gas fitters

The Course Content

The course will identify what asbestos is and how exposure can affect health. It will also provide information about the increased risk of lung cancer in asbestos workers who smoke.

The course will also make the candidate aware of how they can encounter asbestos during work. Furthermore, the course will identify emergency procedure in case of exposure to asbestos.

The course will ultimately identify methods and safe practice to avoid exposure to asbestos.

Course Details

The course lasts for half a day. You can also complete an online training course if you’d prefer. We offer a combi deal where you can combine two half-day vocational courses into one days training. This will save you time and money! We can deliver this at your venue or you can come to us.

If you want to enquire or find out more about the course give us a call on 0121 476 4731

You can also enquire here.

This article will explore the Health and Safety Awareness course content and will prepare you for what to expect on the day of your training.

What is the Health and Safety Awareness course?

The Health and Safety Awareness course is one training initiative in the range of courses that make up the CITB Site Safety Plus programme. It is suitable for anyone who currently works or who is considering working in the construction industries.

What is the purpose of the course?

The course aims to improve the understanding of health and safety in the construction industry. It will identify situations and scenarios in construction where safety could be at risk and will also provide the candidate with advice on how to keep themselves and their colleagues safe. The premise of the course is to improve health and safety standards in an often-hazardous industry.

The Health and Safety Awareness course content

The Health and Safety Awareness course takes one day to complete. The course is interactive and requires the participation of the candidate. The day culminates in a multiple choice test that the candidate must successfully complete before being awarded the Health and Safety Awareness certificate.

The course will cover areas such as:

• The responsibilities of workers concerning their own and also others safety.
• Legal requirements and liabilities.
• Hazards and the control of hazards.
• How to work together and achieve better safety standards.
• Manual Handling.
• Working at Height.
• Fire Prevention.
• Occupational Health.
• Work Equipment.

Crucially, you can study the course as the initial training requirement for a green CSCS or FISS CSCS card.

The certification and validity

Upon successful completion of the course the candidate will receive a Site Safety Plus – Health and Safety Awareness certificate. The certificate will usually be distributed a few weeks after the completion of the course.

The certificate is valid for 5 years from the completion date. Therefore, a course refresher will need to be completed before the expiry date of the certification to remain certified.

What will you need?

You will need a valid form of ID and also a good understanding of spoken and written English.

To read more about the course view our Health and Safety Awareness course page.

Alternatively, visit the CITB website.

If you want to enquire about the course give us a call on 0121 476 4731

You can also enquire here.

The Route to Blue Programme

Do your staff need to hold a Blue FISS CSCS card?
Does your workforce need to meet requirements to work on Sites and the Highways?
Do you want to greatly reduce the cost of training?

Then our ‘Route to Blue’ programme is perfect for you.

As an approved provider we have been granted government funding that will help you with the cost of training. For candidates aged 17-19 the programme is fully funded and for ages 19+ it is 75% funded!

We will work with you to devise a programme that suits your needs and also complies with all regulations.

The programme is a great way to gain a skilled and member of staff, who holds a Blue FISS CSCS card and secure the future of your business. New entrants and existing staff members can enrol on the ‘Route to Blue’ programme.

Q&A – Regular questions and concerns answered

We’ve put this programme together because of frequent concerns that many businesses have voiced. The Q&A examples below are real questions from real businesses. The answers demonstrate how our ‘Route to Blue’ programme addresses these questions and concerns.

My staff need to hold a Blue FISS card to work for clients, on construction sites and the highways. How can we ensure that we meet the needs and requirements of these clients?

We’ll work with you to understand exactly what you need. We’ll then devise a programme to support your and your clients’ needs that complies with all regulations.

My business is struggling to find staff that are trained and qualified.

Our ‘Route to Blue’ programme supports you and both your new and also existing staff. They will train on the job and quickly become the skilled member of staff you need.

We just can’t afford training. It’s expensive and will heavily impact our bottom line!

We’ve secured funding to greatly reduce the cost of training. Dependant on age this can even be up to 100% funding! However, don’t worry the minimum funding available is 75%. (Only available in England)

If you need any additional information please get in touch on 0121 476 4731 or request a call back here!

You can also submit an electronic enquiry and we will get back to you!

Get in touch and get started on the ‘Route to Blue’!

Staff training and development is an integral part of a business, and benefits both the employer and the employee. It is important to the infrastructure of industries and staff training and development can secure the future of businesses and the wider industries.

Benefits of staff training for a business.

Businesses have a duty, and often a legal obligation to train their staff. However, staff training and development should not be seen as an inconvenience and unnecessary expense, as there are many benefits of training.

Training goes hand in hand with business growth and effective performance. It can:

• Positively impact business productivity.
• Reduce staff turnover.
• Increase staff motivation and the quality of their work.
• Up-skill your existing workforce.
• Increase your competitive advantage.
• Keep pace with your rivals.
• Keep pace with the everchanging dynamics of modern day industries.

Henry Ford, founder of the Ford Motor Company said:

“The only thing worse than training your employees and having them leave is not training employees and having them stay”.

Who are we to argue? His company seems to have done alright!

One stumbling block is obviously the cost. However, increased productivity and profitability are benefits of training.

Alongside this, extensive funding is available to support businesses with the cost. For example, our apprenticeship programme is fully funded for 16 – 18 year olds and is 75% funded for ages 19+.

Benefits of training to employees

Alongside the benefits to the business, the employees also benefit from investment in training. The benefits to staff  include:

• Improved work safety practices and productivity.
• Increased motivation.
• Increased loyalty.
• Improved skill set allowing them to complete jobs more effectively.

Training employees often makes them feel valued and important in a business. This improves aspects such as; motivation, loyalty and staff retention.

Clearly, there are benefits of training to both employees and to the business. Staff training and development should be an integral part of a businesses plan.

Benefits of staff training and development for the industries

The benefits of staff training do not just extend to the businesses and the employees. It is imperative for the future of industries that training is undertaken.

As industries continue to grow there is an increasing demand for skilled and competent workers. In order to secure the future of the businesses and the industry as a whole training is crucial.

For example, the UK construction industry reports a skills shortage due to the ageing of its workers and the lack of skilled new entrants. Training is one way to counter-act this shortage and up-skill the workforce. It is important, to attract young people to the industry.

Training is one way of doing this as they can see a future in an industry where they will be valued and will continue to learn and progress throughout their careers.