Plans of work and risk assessments for asbestos removal operatives

Standard details

CITB has developed this standard in discussion with industry

Duration

Minimum half day of 3 learning hours

Purpose/Scope

The purpose of training delivered against this standard is to provide candidates with the training content specified by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 for operatives doing licensed work with asbestos.

The scope of this standard covers: 

• risk assessment and the purpose of the plan of work
• who draws up the plan
• when should it be made
• format & content (suitable and sufficient)
• how the plan of work should be consulted with workforce and communicated
• how it should be followed
• problems when drawing up the plan
• interested parties
  • managers role
  • supervisors role
  • operatives role
  • analyst
  • enforcing authorities
  • client
  • other work activities
  • occupiers or owners
  • members of the public
• the use of pictures and flow charts
• hold points
• emergency procedures, including general procedures, such as the uncontrolled release of asbestos fibres into the workplace or outbreak of fire
• other work hazards, including working at height, electrical, slips, trips and falls
• useful for future contracts
• key issues with the plan of works
• importance of following the procedures, controls and preventative measures set out in the plan of work and risk assessment
• guidance notes (ALG Memo 04/12 & HSE Operational Guidance 00108)

Occupational relevance

Training delivered against this standard would be relevant to the following occupational groups:

• operative

Candidate pre-requisites

There are no candidate pre-requisites as part of this standard.

Instruction/Supervision

As a minimum, course instructors must be able to demonstrate that, in relation to this standard, they have:

• a train the trainer or instructional techniques course certificate e.g. NVQ Level 3 award in learning and development or higher
• at least 5 years relevant industrial experience
• a verifiable CV

Delivery

Delivery in an off the job environment.

All materials and equipment must be of a suitable quality and quantity for candidates to achieve learning outcomes, and must comply with relevant legislation.

The following practical equipment must be available during the training course:

• personal protective equipment (PPE) - (coveralls, disposable underwear, transit shoes);
• respiratory protective equipment RPE (full-face and ori-nasal RPE kits);
• equipment and materials for enclosure construction (staplers, tape, spray glue, polythene, craft knives, timber frames, airlock frames, vision panels, signage, negative pressure unit, smoke machine, preliminary decontamination equipment)
• equipment for controlled removal techniques (installed simulated lagged pipe, installed simulated AIB ceiling tiles / panels (horizontal and vertical), type-‘H’ vacuum cleaner, safe access equipment, waste bags, multi-needle wet strip injection machine)

The candidate/instructor ratio must not be more than 6:1 to allow training to be delivered in a safe manner and enable candidates to achieve the learning outcomes.

The following delivery methods may be used in the delivery of this standard:

• a mixture of classroom and demonstration and practice

This standard is considered to contain 51% or more theoretical learning.

 This standard is considered to be set at an intermediate level.

Assessment

For the successful completion of training, candidates must complete an end of course practical assessment and knowledge test that measures the learning outcomes and has a pass or fail criteria.

Quality assurance

Quality assurance against this standard will require initial approval of the training organisation and their content mapped to the standard. 

CITB will also conduct an approval intervention, either desk-based or centre visit, to ensure the training organisation can meet the requirements of the Training Standard. 

Approved training organisations will be required to present information on records of training and assessment upon request to CITB for desk based analysis. They will also be visited annually by the CITB quality assurance team.

Renewal/refresher

Renewal/refreshment may be required as the result of an employer TNA and should be delivered under the asbestos licenced operative refresher training standard.

Approval date

April 2019

Review cycle

Either on request or in 3 year(s) from approval date.

Learning outcomes

The candidate will be able to:

• Outline the purpose of the risk assessment and plan of work.
• Comply with organisational policies and procedures to contribute to health, safety and welfare.
• Interpret the given information relating to the work and resources when stripping and removing licensed asbestos.
• State the importance of following the procedures, controls and preventative measures set out in the risk assessment and plan of work.
• Recognise hazards associated with the workplace that have not been previously controlled and report them in accordance with organisational procedures.
• State other work hazards, including working at height, electrical, slips, trips and falls.
• Outline emergency procedures including the uncontrolled release of asbestos fibres into the workplace or outbreak of fire.

Additional information

Other organisations who work with asbestos awareness

• ACAD (Asbestos Control and Abatement Division)
• ARCA (Asbestos Removal Contractors Association
• HSE (Health and Safety Executive)
• NFDC (National Federation of Demolition Contractors)
• UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association)
• IATP (Independent Asbestos Training Providers)
• BOHS (British Occupational Hygiene Society)
• RSPH (Royal Society for Public Health)
• Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Removal of Hazardous Waste (Licensed Asbestos)