Asbestos - The Facts DVD
Ref: ASBESTOS1
Web Price: £99.00

Breathing asbestos fibres can lead to many potentially fatal asbestos-related diseases. This DVD is ideal for:

• Engineers
• Carpenters/Joiners
• Roofing Contractors
• Construction workers
• Plumbers
• Demolition workers
• Computer installers
• Building surveyors
• Electricians
• Gas fitters
• Shop fitters
• Telecommunication engineers

A 15 minute title that covers:

• What is asbestos?
• The main diseases caused by asbestos
• Where it can be found
• The precautions to take before you start work
• The duties of those in charge of the job and the information you should be given before starting your job
• How to protect yourself against asbestos

This pack comes complete with 10 Asbestos Training Booklets and Asbestos Assessment Forms included on the disc as a printable PDF.

Video on Demand Terms & Conditions

Firms 'should not ignore asbestos facts' The health and safety risks presented by asbestos mean firms whose employees may encounter the substance need to make sure they are adequately trained, experts have pointed out. Roger Bibbings, occupational safety manager for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, claimed that despite the use of asbestos being banned in industry and construction, deaths connected to the material are predicted to rise, which may spur into action those considering introducing asbestos assessment forms . According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), asbestos fibres are present in the UK's environment due to extensive use of the substance in buildings from the 1950s through to the mid-1980s and it can be found is places such as floor tiles, textured coating, insulating board and lagging. However, problems only arise with asbestos when the material is damaged and becomes airborne, the HSE reveals. The group explained that the main risk factor is the number of fibres which are breathed in, while the effects do not begin to show until later in life, those looking at the asbestos booklet may want to know. Highlighting a recent campaign from the HSE to increase awareness among trades such as electricians and plumbers, Mr Bibbings added: "People at work generally need to be aware of the fact that dust can be harmful to health but asbestos fibre breathed in can lead to a number of kinds of disease, not only asbestosis, which is a degeneration of the lung tissue, but a variety of cancers." The HSE also pointed out, as does the Asbestos - The Facts DVD, that three main diseases are caused by exposure: mesothelioma, which is always fatal; lung cancer, which almost always results in death; and asbestosis, which does not always kill but is debilitating. In addition, illnesses caused by exposure to the material are responsible for around 4,000 deaths each year in the UK. Steve Sadley, chief executive of the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association, also singled out the fact that 20 tradesman die each week from unknowingly having worked with the material in the past, highlighting the importance of asbestos assessment forms . In comments which could back up the need for the asbestos booklet, Mr Sadley said: "For this reason alone it is important that employers provide their employees with adequate knowledge and training about the risks of asbestos and how to recognise the material." He also revealed that employers now have a legal duty under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 to provide their workers with this information and training if they are likely to disturb asbestos-containing material while they are carrying out their jobs. Careers which Mr Sadley singled out as needing training about asbestos facts are demolition workers and those engaged in refurbishment and maintenance, while allied trades could also benefit from gaining more information as they could disturb the material in the course of their job. Mr Bibbings also highlighted the duty of the employer to deliver training, but suggested the main question is how to build this into the leadership approach - which may be solved by products such as the Asbestos - The Facts DVD. However, both experts noted the importance of only allowing specialists to handle and remove asbestos if it is discovered, as they have access to the necessary equipment, training and insurance to carry out the activity in a safe manner. The HSE also recognises the importance of contacting licensed contractors to remove the hazardous material, but offered tips for reducing the chance of exposure while carrying out routine work. According to the organisation, tradesman should use asbestos assessment forms to plan work so the material is not disturbed, as well as avoiding methods which create a lot of dust and not eating in the work area. The importance of asbestos safety was highlighted this week, when a firm was fined for exposing its staff to the substance. Lothian Heating Services was ordered to pay £8,000 after it pleaded guilty to breaching health and safety legislation when it allowed three employees to renovate St Teresa's RC Church in Edinburgh for five days before asbestos was discovered.