UKATA offers support to HSE's new Asbestos Behaviour Campaign
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The UK Asbestos Training Association Ltd (UKATA) has offered its support to a new ‘Asbestos Behaviour Change’ campaign from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which aims to raise awareness of issues relating to asbestos amongst trades people and the general public.
By building on the latest research, the new campaign will reinforce the ‘Hidden Killer’ campaign and is expected to include new ‘safety kits’, a regional radio advertising campaign, plus partnership marketing alongside businesses to help encourage attitude change amongst trades people and the public.
In preparation for the campaign, UKATA is also raising awareness of the release of the guidance document by the Retail Asbestos Working Group (RAWG), who has set up their own campaign to promote the continuous improvement of asbestos management in the retail sector.
Next steps will include audience testing of the materials for the information kit and securing support from partners, associations and trade bodies like UKATA before a date is set for the new campaign to ‘go live’.
“The UK Asbestos Training Association Ltd welcomes the announcement of this latest campaign planned by the HSE,” said Terry Barker, CEO of UKATA. “Recent prosecutions have shown that not all tradespeople are getting the message on the continuing dangers from asbestos so anything more we can do to get the message across via commercial partners could be an important step forward.”
Asbestos remains a hidden killer, as diseases relating to it can take up to 60 years to develop and there is no cure. Over 4,500 people are dying every year as a result of breathing in asbestos fibres and asbestos remains the biggest single cause of work related deaths in the UK, so ongoing campaigns by the HSE and RAWG are important additions to the work of training associations like UKATA.
“The RAWG document is another significant initiative and in offering guidance to retailers and contractors regarding their duties with regard to the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR) we are supported in the on-going fight against unnecessary asbestos exposure,” added Terry. “We will be offering our support as the campaign is rolled-out in the weeks and months ahead and by offering our own practical advice and assistance to those who feel they need additional information, instruction and training on the correct safety procedures when dealing with asbestos.”
UKATA is a leading authority in asbestos training in the UK, a privileged position that has only been achieved by hard work, dedication and a focus on Quality and Standards that is second to none.
From a standing start, UKATA now has over 160 fee paying Members with many more membership applications pending and with ‘green-shoots’ in the economy, demand for Training and Consultancy services offered by Members will increase further. UKATA is always keen to talk to prospective Members who are 100% committed to the highest professional standards. For further information on UKATA, visit www.ukata.org.uk