After a surveyor dropped out, my supervisor's manager put me on an asbestos management training course in Basildon. I actually got quite excited about it. I have constantly asked (read 'nagged') for training of some description to help with my job and have always been refused, so this is a big step forwards! The course was spread over two days, the first covering the basics of what asbestos is, how its dangerous to health, and the regulations and laws. The second day dealt with the regs in detail and also covered step-by-step procedures for safe removal and air clearance.
The trainer was brilliant - I couldn't commend him highly enough. He was professional, clear and concise, while at the same time being a bit of a jack-the-lad and joshing with a couple of attendees he'd obviously met before. The industry, it would appear, it pretty small and tight-knit; everyone knows everyone!! One memorable moment was when he paused the DVD as the words 'The Analyst' appeared letter by letter, and it paused on 'The Anal'...
It was all pretty interesting stuff and generated good conversations! It was also a great opportunity to network and gain insight into how other people work and how they are a part of the industry. I was surprised at all the managers there who had no idea what asbestos was and were only on the course because of the new law out last year that says all dutyholders are responsible for any suspected asbestos within the framework of their buildings. The law was out April 2004... and they are attending a course in June 2005. I was shocked! My workplace started carrying out extensive property research back in January 2003 so we were ready when the law came into force. It was nice to broadcast how far ahead we were from other local authorities. It gives us a good name, expecially important since we've had some bad press recently.
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