ATaC adds Full Decontamination to Analyst Qualification

Today ATaC announced that all candidates taking the RSPH Level 3 Award in Air Monitoring and Clearance Procedures with the Association will undertake full decontamination.

Association supports industry following HSE report findings

Today ATaC announced that all candidates taking the RSPH Level 3 Award in Air Monitoring and Clearance Procedures with the Association will undertake full decontamination.

A key finding of the “Asbestos Analysts Inspection Programme 2014/2015”, commissioned by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), highlighted that analysts’ decontamination procedures were poor, due to no written procedures and no practical training provided. Some analysts were not following procedures putting themselves at risk, by wearing domestic clothes underneath overalls, were unshaven, and unsure how to use a DCU for decontamination.

When delivering the RSPH Level 3 Award in Air Monitoring and Clearance Procedures, ATaC, has always used an actual DCU so all candidates are familiar with the unit and are walked through the decontamination procedure.

Following the recent report findings, ATaC has taken immediate action by enhancing the decontamination content of this qualification. Now all candidates will undertake full decontamination. This means that candidates, as well as being taught when to use a DCU and the decontamination procedure, will now physically go through the full decontamination process, including showering.

“When we heard this finding from the HSE report, we looked at how we could further support the industry. When we deliver the RSPH qualification we cover all these findings, however we thought we could take it a step further by including full decontamination,” stated Stephen Platkiw, ATaC Manager. “This enhancement will increase the analysts’ competency and safety.”

“This is a very positive move by ATaC, as it will support the health and safety of analysts, and the professionalism of the analytical industry,” commented Richard Burton, Director of Qualifications at The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH).

For further information please visit the RSPH Level 3 Award in Air Monitoring and Clearance Procedures qualification webpage.