Thames Laboratories have issued a warning to employers about the importance of asbestos awareness training, which is now a legal requirement in certain situations.

Among the changes made in the updated Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 was the inclusion, within Regulation 10, of a requirement for specified groups to receive asbestos awareness training. Furthermore this may impact on Regulation 4, where Duty Holders may be responsible for ensuring that visiting contractors are properly trained.

John Richards of Thames Laboratories comments:

"Asbestos Awareness Training is vital for employers, property owners, facilities managers and all those responsible for health and safety within their organisation. Recent prosecutions and publicity from the government indicates that training is a crucial part of complying with the new regulations. Employers in at-risk environments ignore health and safety training at their peril."

Thames Laboratories' Asbestos Awareness Training is in association with the Royal Society for Promotion of Health, and we are able to offer an externally examined Asbestos Awareness Training certificate.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1) Thames Laboratories is one of the UK's leading asbestos consultancies and has been providing a full range of surveying, management, and testing services since 1991. Thames Laboratories has offices in Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire and Wakefield and employs 23 full-time staff. For more information contact:

Thames Laboratories
The Granary
Brook Farm
Thrapston Road
Ellington
Cambridgeshire PE28 0AE

T: 0800 085 2348
Web: www.thameslabs.co.uk

2) John Richards has more than 20 years' professional experience in asbestos management, and is an internationally recognised figure in the asbestos abatement sector.

John is available for media comment and public speaking engagements.