UKATA Announces CPD UKATA announces membership of CPD Certification Service UKATA announces its membership of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Certification Service. Once the formal launch takes place later this year, UKATA’s existing CPD training courses and events will become eligible for CPD points. UKATA introduced its own CPD framework in July 2014, bringing the Association’s training mechanics and standards in line with the Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. While very successful and similar to other industry CPD, becoming a member of the Certification Service was the logical next step. “As CPD represents the commitment of professionals towards the development of their personal skills and proficiency throughout their careers, it is something UKATA has been working on for several years now,” said General Manager Craig Evans. “Our UKATA CPD has proved a success since inception and membership of the Certification Service is the culmination of a lot of hard work.” Viewing learning as a conscious and proactive process rather than passive and reactive is essential for training in health and safety issues and asbestos is no exception. Asbestos training can involve a lot of vocational or practical learning, which makes CPD ideal. Health and safety training must be accessible, of benefit to many people and capable of being applied effectively in the everyday work environment. “The initial qualification is merely the tip of the iceberg,” added Craig. “The key is the recognition of safety standards and new training methods resulting in occupational competency in everyone who undertakes CPD. Our long
term aim is an improvement in overall asbestos safety and practice, the bottom line of which must lead to a reduction in the numbers of asbestos related deaths.” Asbestos remains the biggest single cause of work related deaths in the UK and around 5,000 people die of asbestos related illnesses each year. Yet asbestos can be handled and removed safely by those who have received proper training and CPD is an essential component of such instruction. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and ACoP place a legal duty on employers to provide asbestos awareness training to any employee likely to be exposed to asbestos as part of their work. Exemption applies only where the employer can demonstrate that work will only be carried out in or on buildings free of asbestos containing materials (ACMs). UKATA has become a leading authority on all categories of training, not least asbestos awareness and CPD has become a key component. “Complacency can be lethal when it comes to asbestos and CPD is important because it improves training and learning by encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone,” added Craig. “We are currently sending our training syllabi through the certification process and the official launch will follow a little later this year as soon as this procedure is complete.” Once live, all certificates produced will have CPD hours available. To enquire about CPD titles available, see https:// cpduk.co.uk/directory/profile/ukata-uk-asbestostraining-association.
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