BFFF supports Asbestos Awareness Week is taking place next week 1-7 April. We remind our members occupying buildings built before 2000 have a legal duty to manage and monitor asbestos risks.

Older manufacturing facilities may house multiple asbestos containing materials (ACMs). Asbestos was widely used in buildings and in some equipment between 1950 and 1980; however, any building built or refurbished before 2000 could contain an ACM.

Asbestos can be found in: pipe lagging, insulation board, asbestos cement products such as profiled roof sheets and wall panels, floor coverings and asbestos sprayed coatings. ACMs such as gaskets and rope seals can also be found within old plant and equipment such as industrial ovens and pipework.

Asbestos exposures caused by poor planning and risk management can have substantial human costs for victims and their families. Asbestos-related diseases remain the highest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain, these often fatal diseases, typically take decades for symptoms to occur following exposure.

There is a legal duty to manage asbestos and failing to do so can result in penalties ranging from fines to prison sentences. The implications of an asbestos incident can also be far reaching in terms of reputation, staff morale, attracting new staff and overall costs.

According to HSE data, there have been more than 100 asbestos-related prosecution cases brought in the past five years, relating to 150 breaches of the law.

For more information on managing asbestos, please contact simonbrentnall@bfff.co.uk

Mentor Training, the UK’s leading material handling training provider, is returning to the Health & Safety Event this year, to showcase a revolutionary training solution that benefits learners and businesses alike by blending face-to-face and online learning.

 

With the UK witnessing around 1,300 serious injuries per year from accidents involving forklift trucks, Mentor emphasise that those working on and around workplace transport absolutely must understand the risks involved to be able to keep themselves and others safe.

 

To help businesses more easily equip their teams with the essential skills and knowledge, Mentor are returning to the NEC event to introduce an innovative new training solution, which makes visiting their stand a must for attendees.

 

At this year’s show, after extensive testing and trials, Mentor will formally launch their newly-developed blended learning courses for forklift operators. These mix traditional face-to-face practical lessons with online theory modules, providing real cost and time-saving benefits for the businesses involved. As a provider who can offer the complete blended learning package, including both theory and practical elements, they are playing a vital role in the delivery of this game-changing solution to UK businesses.

 

Adam Smith, Mentor’s Commercial Director, explains, “This industry-leading training allows delegates to cut down on face-to-face training hours, using flexible e-learning modules instead that can be completed at their own pace, where and when they wish, around their other commitments. Not only this, it provides cost savings by utilising less instructor-led training days and reducing disruption to operations, as well as having the ability to be directly integrated into a business’ learner management system.”

 

Adam continues, “The great thing about our blended learning options is that they meet the same standards as our in-person courses, with full accreditation provided by the Association of Industrial Truck Trainers (AITT). Not only that, we have also undertaken a comprehensive two year trial of blended learning within a national business, ensuring that the training successfully fulfilled customer needs. With robust quality measures like these in place, customers can be confident that this alternative learning format offers them the same assurance of standards as traditional training, for full compliance.”

 

The event provides visitors with solutions like this and much more, with the three-day exhibition also offering networking opportunities and a full seminar programme. With multiple theatres hosting talks from industry experts, the event is a key fixture in the calendar for anyone responsible for running a safe and efficient workplace.

 

Adam summarises, “The event is the perfect environment to connect with other likeminded people, that view safety as a priority. We believe blended learning can play a huge part in shaping the future of our sector and therefore urge visitors to come and find out more at the show.”

 

The Health and Safety Event takes place at the NEC Birmingham from 8^th-10^th April. If you’re responsible for forklift safety on site, pay Mentor a visit at stand 3/G72 to find out how their latest training solutions can help you keep your operations safe, compliant and productive.

 

To register for your free pass to the exhibition, click here.