Article 14

United Kingdom

Employers shall provide appropriate training for all workers who are, or are likely to be, exposed to dust from asbestos or materials containing asbestos. Such training must be provided at regular intervals and at no cost to the workers.

The content of the training must be easily understandable for workers. It must enable them to acquire the necessary knowledge and skills in terms of prevention and safety, particularly as regards:

(a)

the properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the synergistic effect of smoking;

(b)

the types of products or materials likely to contain asbestos;

(c)

the operations that could result in asbestos exposure and the importance of preventive controls to minimise exposure;

(d)

safe work practices, controls and protective equipment;

(e)

the appropriate role, choice, selection, limitations and proper use of respiratory equipment;

(f)

emergency procedures;

(g)

decontamination procedures;

(h)

waste disposal;

(i)

medical surveillance requirements.

Practical guidelines for the training of asbestos removal workers shall be developed at Community level.