WIREDGOV

Apprentice tradesmen in the region are set to benefit from a new e-learning package to help them better understand the risks from asbestos.

Those who train or take on apprentices are getting the opportunity to find out how they can use the interactive resource, developed by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) at a free training event on Tuesday 20 March at the Dryden Centre, Evistones Road, Low Fell, Gateshead.

It will equip lecturers, trainers and employers with information about the "Introduction to Asbestos Training Package" that includes a lesson plan, power point presentation including notes for lecturers, task sheets and posters so that they can build it into training for their apprentices.

Those who take part will also be offered a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) certificate for attending the event.

During the autumn training providers across the North East donated a total of more than 1,150 hours of free face-to-face asbestos awareness training for local tradesmen, in support of HSE's Hidden Killer campaign. This month's event will help maintain momentum in raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos.

Bruno Porter, HSE Principal Inspector, said:

"This is the latest phase of HSE's Hidden Killer campaign in our bid to tackle ignorance about Britain's biggest industrial killer. I want to encourage those involved in training our workers of the future to join us to ensure they are aware of this new package to help get this important message across.

"Many young tradespeople believe that, because asbestos is no longer used in buildings, it's no longer a threat to them. But that simply isn't true. The material was widely used in domestic, commercial and industrial premises. Such buildings contain asbestos materials now and will continue to do so for many years into the future."

The event programme will include:

• a demonstration of the IT package
• a HSE Specialist Inspector in Occupational Hygiene talking about the risks from asbestos
• a presentation by the Federation of Master Builders
• a discussion on asbestos surveys from a HSE Construction Inspector; and
• an opportunity to ask questions.

Approximately 4,000 people across Britain die each year due to asbestos-related diseases and in the North East, 1,446 people died from asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma during the period from 1998 to 2008.  It is hoped that this initiative will help prevent it claiming another generation of tradesmen

The 'Introduction to Asbestos' learning package is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/learning-package/index.htm.

To find out more or to request a booking form for the free Asbestos Vocational Learning Package event, which runs from 9am until 1pm on 20 March, please contact Tina Donaldson, HSE Visiting Officer, on 0191 202 6306 or email: tina.donaldson@hse.gsi.gov.uk.

Notes to editors

1. Asbestos can be found in many buildings built or refurbished before 2000 but it only becomes dangerous when it is broken up and fibres are released into the air.   More information on managing asbestos safely is available at www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos.
2. There are four main diseases associated with inhalation of asbestos fibres. These are asbestosis (a scarring of the lung tissue caused by asbestos), two kinds of cancer (mesothelioma and asbestos-related lung cancer), and diffuse pleural thickening (a non-malignant disease affecting the lung lining). For more information visit www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/asbestos.htm

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