Do I need asbestos training?
If you are asking this question, the answer is probably yes. What training depends on the type of work you are doing though. Have a read of this blog to learn more. We are covering asbestos related work, asbestos removal work and asbestos assessors. Please note, this is specific to Aotearoa New Zealand - advice may be different if you are in another country.
Asbestos related work
Who need this? Electricians, gas fitters, plumbers, facilities management, maintenance workers, lift engineers, demolition workers, builders, geotechnical engineers, civil engineers, contaminated land workers, structural engineers, earthworks, excavator operators
What training? Asbestos awareness training - a good course will be around 4 hours long, but there are shorter courses available if you don’t need full awareness training.
What do you need to learn? What asbestos is, the health effects, what asbestos containing materials look like, where you are likely to find asbestos containing materials, the relevant regulations for asbestos related work, personal and respiratory protective equipment, emergency procedures and control measures.
When? Ideally, as soon as you start in one of these industries. Prevention is better than cure after all (not to mention, there are no cures for asbestos related disease). Refresher training is also advised, especially if internal or external audits highlight a training need or you have had an incident.
Who can deliver this training? Anyone with suitable knowledge and experience. Does that sound a bit vague? We make sure your trainer is qualified.
Our training manager, Alannah has 10 years working in the UK and NZ as a qualified asbestos surveyor, assessor and lab analyst, she can answer your questions. She also has the experience of the rest of the team to draw from if she isn’t sure.
Our advice? Read reviews and testimonials before you choose who to deliver your training. Speak to the trainer to see if you like their communication style. Ask if the session will cover scenarios or materials you will be coming across. Perhaps consider commissioning a course just for your organisation so it can be tailored to your needs.
Don’t feel like you need a full asbestos awareness course, we offer some shorter courses that may cover what you need. Check out the Training page to see what else we offer.
Asbestos Removal Work
This is split into unlicensed asbestos removal and licenced asbestos removal.
Unlicensed Asbestos Removals
Who need this? Anyone who wants to remove 10m2 or less of non-friable asbestos containing material. Check out this post we recently shared to learn what friability means. We also have a post scheduled on our social media platforms to explain more about this type of asbestos removal in the near future.
What training? Asbestos awareness training with a focus on removing small amounts of non-friable asbestos containing materials safely and what control measures are needed. This is a half day course. The NZQA unit standard 29765 Remove Non-Friable Asbestos would also be appropriate. More details are below.
What do you need to learn? What asbestos is, the health effects, what asbestos containing materials look like, where you are likely to find asbestos containing materials, the relevant regulations for asbestos removal work, personal and respiratory protective equipment for asbestos removal, emergency procedures and control measures.
When? Before you start carrying out any unlicensed asbestos removal.
Who can deliver this training? Anyone with suitable knowledge and experience. Again, that sounds a bit vague and so you will be looking for someone with a proven track record delivering this training. Have you met Alannah? You should meet Alannah!
Licensed Asbestos Removals
Who need this? Anyone who wants to remove more than 10m2 of non-friable asbestos containing material and/or any amount of friable asbestos containing material. Check out this post we recently shared to learn what licensing means.
What training? NZQA unit standard 29765 Remove Non-Friable Asbestos for Class B work and/or 29766 Remove Friable Asbestos for Class A work or equivalent (read the Worksafe licensing page for more options). It is important you have the right unit standard for the class of asbestos you will be removing. If you will be removing both Class A and B materials, you will need both unit standards. Asbestos removal supervisors also need to complete NZQA unit standard 29867 Supervise Asbestos Removal in addition to the other unit standards.
What do you need to learn? What asbestos is, the health effects, what asbestos containing materials look like, how to plan for removals, how to set up the removal site, how to prepare the removal area, removal control measures, decontamination procedures and waste procedures. We have to show evidence for all the outcomes specified in the unit standards (you can download the unit standards from the NZQA website).
When? Before you start carrying out any asbestos removal work, at least within the first month of starting removing non-friable asbestos.
Who can deliver this training? An NZQA Assessor working under a training establishment who have consent to assess NZQA standards. We work with Besafe Training Ltd as an approved subcontractor and our Training Consultant, Alannah, holds all the necessary qualifications and experience to deliver the sessions.
Asbestos Assessors
Who need this? Anyone who wants to apply for a Worksafe Independent Asbestos Assessor Licence to provide clearance inspections for the removal of friable asbestos containing materials (Class A). Check out this post we recently shared to learn what this means.
What training? NZQA unit standard 29768 Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal or equivalent (read the Worksafe licensing page for more options).
What do you need to learn? How to carry out clearance inspections and air monitoring as part of the removal of friable asbestos containing materials (you can download the unit standards from the NZQA website).
When? Before you apply for your licence from Worksafe.
Who can deliver this training? An NZQA Assessor working under a training establishment who have consent to assess NZQA standards. We work with Besafe Training Ltd as an approved subcontractor and our Training Consultant, Alannah, holds all the necessary qualifications and experience to deliver the sessions.
We hope you found this useful. Please get in touch if you have any questions, especially if that question is “can I book some asbestos training”! You can use the details below or contact Alannah directly - 0272248990 or alannah@sqn.co.nz