Asbestos Awareness

The HSE states that in the UK, there were 138 workers killed in work-related accidents in 2023/24. That’s 138 people who went to work to do their job but never made it home. If these horrific accident rates continue, it means that every seven years, approximately 1000 people will die through work-related accidents. After 36 years, 5000 people will have died. Yet, in the UK, asbestos still kills around 5,000 workers each year.

At HSEDocs, we've got you covered with a diverse array of online health and safety training courses. Whether it's an online Manual Handling Course, a Food Safety Level 2 Course, a Working at Height Online Course, an Asbestos Awareness Course, or an online Diversity Training Course, we have the course that suits your needs.

The hallmark of online training is the unparalleled flexibility and convenience it brings to the table for employers, their workforce, and individual learners. This mode of learning allows users to access educational content and resources from any location, provided there is internet connectivity. Such a model is a departure from the rigid timetables of traditional in-person training sessions, granting learners the autonomy to engage with material at times that suit their personal and professional lives.

Asbestos is a fibrous mineral that was widely used in several industries, as well as in domestic and commercial products in the past. It was popular because of its ability to resist heat, electricity, and chemical damage and its sound-absorption qualities. Asbestos was highly versatile and extracted from open-cast quarries. Even today, asbestos is considered superior to many synthetic products.

Asbestos awareness training has become increasingly important in the past few decades, leading to the development of comprehensive training courses on the subject. This is due to the many health risks associated with asbestos exposure, including lung disease and cancer. It is crucial to understand and mitigate these risks for both personal safety and public health.

Used in the construction industry since the beginning of industrialisation, Asbestos is not a new phenomenon for most people. In fact, its use has a very long and detailed history across many different buildings and construction sites globally. However, as this material increased in popularity, the complications and health issues surrounding asbestos exposure were eventually discovered.

In UK buildings constructed before 2000, there is a high probability that some materials used would contain asbestos, This is because asbestos wasn’t completely banned in the UK until 1999, and is also the reason many people book asbestos awareness courses. Even if your employer doesn’t insist that you need asbestos awareness training, it’s always a good idea to book and take an online course if you work in older housing stock. And the good news is that to book an asbestos awareness course is as easy as crossing the street.

Asbestos is a mineral that was once commonly used in building materials such as insulation, roofing shingles and floor tiles. This means that there is a good chance your house may contain some form of asbestos if it was built before 1999. However, asbestos is very difficult to identify, especially if you have no idea what you are looking for. In this article, HSE Docs will show you how to identify the different types of asbestos and find out whether it has an odour.

If you work in construction, property development or are looking to deal with asbestos in your home, you might have encountered signs of asbestos throughout the property. If this is the case, you are right to show concern. Asbestos is a dangerous substance. So, why is asbestos dangerous, who needs asbestos training?

Asbestos is a building material which was outlawed by UK regulators after researchers and medical officials found that those who worked with it later became seriously ill.  What was first called ‘the world's most wonderful mineral’ later caused mass public harm and, despite its incredibly useful properties, is now synonymous with a long list of respiratory illnesses and cancers.