Member Article

National asbestos industry awards recognise excellence

Six organisations have been recognised for their commitment and innovation to asbestos training by a leading authority for asbestos training provision in the UK.

Essential Site Skills Limited, MCP Environmental LLP, Santia Asbestos Management Limited, Caerphilly County Borough Council, Asbestos Training Limited and Airborne Environmental Consultants Limited, were all recognised at the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA) Excellence Awards held recently to mark the Association’s tenth anniversary.

The awards, which were held as part of UKATA’s annual general meeting, were hosted by Olympic sporting legend Kriss Akabusi.

The awards were free to enter and open to all UKATA member companies across six categories. The winners were:

• Essential Site Skills Limited – Advertising Campaign Award • MCP Environmental LLP – Corporate Social Responsibility Award • Santia Asbestos Management Limited – Customer Service Award • Caerphilly County Borough Council – Workforce Development Award • Asbestos Training Limited – Training Initiative Award • Airborne Environmental Consultants Limited – Innovation Award

As well as organisations, two individuals were honoured at the awards in recognition of their service and dedication to the Association since 2008. UKATA’s inaugural Chairman Peter Robinson received the Chairman’s Award recognising his contribution to the Association for over 10 years.

Additionally, Professor Roger Willey received the Lifetime Achievement Award. Considered the leading authority on maritime asbestos related legal cases, the UKATA award recognised Professor Willey’s personal commitment to raising awareness of the dangers of asbestos by regularly speaking at national events and seminars.

Mesothelioma sufferer and campaigner Mavis Nye was also recognised at the awards, for her outstanding contribution to raising awareness of asbestos.

Since contracting the asbestos-related disease in 2009, Mavis has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the condition. Last year she launched the Mavis Nye Foundation which aims to support individuals affected by asbestos related cancer and fund mesothelioma research.

Already, the fund has raised £100,000 which will be used to provide grants to newly diagnosed victims of mesothelioma and reimburse their travel expenses during the search for treatment. In addition, the charity wants to support medical students to become mesothelioma doctors and offer grants to secure Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNCs) in the UK. Graham O’Mahony, Chair of UKATA explained: “It has been 10 years since UKATA was established by those in the industry who had the vision and belief that it is possible to improve and maintain higher standards for asbestos training through an Association. In that time, we have gone from strength to strength and this is in no small part to our 180 members, who have upheld best practice, innovated and helped increase awareness of the importance of training.

“Holding the awards was an excellent opportunity to not only mark 10 very successful years but also recognise the individuals and organisations that have made this possible.” Being a UKATA approved training provider demonstrates commitment to delivering the highest standards of asbestos training.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Melton .