Asbestos association backs training by video

The United Kingdom Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) is urging workers in construction-related industries and trades to make use of their time during the Coronavirus crisis to upskill or refresh training.

And the association has approved its 200 member companies and individuals to deliver some of its approved courses by video conferencing software, including Skype, Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, UKATA members are approved to deliver the following courses by video conference:

• Asbestos Awareness
• Asbestos Awareness Refresher
• Duty to Manage – Extension to Asbestos Awareness
• Non-Licensable Refresher (Delegates must complete a Training Needs Analysis prior to the training)

The move to temporary video conference training was approved during a recent emergency board meeting.

Several measures have also been put in place with members to ensure the training delivered continues to be of a high quality. To support the delivery of courses UKATA is also developing a new, bespoke online examination system.

“These are uncertain times and we have acted swiftly to ensure that workers can access vital asbestos training and that our members can continue to deliver it,” said chief operating officer Craig Evans.

“It’s a distressing time for everyone concerned, particularly self-employed people, but we are urging people to use this enforced downtime to upskill and increase their knowledge and awareness of asbestos.”

He added: “The industry is going to have some difficult times ahead, from projects being cancelled to shortage of supplies, inevitably meaning works cannot be carried out, but the country and the industry will recover and we must all be ready to hit the ground running when that happens.”