UKATA is proud to announce its new partnership with The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS).
The British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) was founded in 1947 and is an established international membership organisation and charity committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects. The society brings together those working within academia, practitioners implementing soil science in industry and all those working with, or with an interest in soils.
Research on soils and enhanced understanding and engagement with soils is essential for agricultural, landscaping, construction, remediation, conservation, and archaeological projects, as well as policy direction on critical topics such as climate change. Its members are employed by both private and public sector institutions including academic universities, conservation charities, construction companies and agri-environmental consultancies.
Speaking of the new partnership UKATA’s Senior Operations Manager, Debbie Nixon said, “It has been a pleasure to work alongside Natalie Coles, BSSS Operations & Business Development Manager to forge this agreement, allowing us to collaborate with an organisation committed to the study of soils. Following our first meeting at The Contamination Expo earlier this year, we knew we could form a mutually beneficial collaboration, and I look forward to seeing how our partnership evolves”.
Natalie commented, “We are delighted to welcome UKATA as a new corporate partner. At BSSS, part of our strategy is to educate and inspire the next generation of soil scientists through knowledge exchange and engagement. This partnership is an excellent way to promote the importance of soil within the asbestos industry and enhance professional development through members’ knowledge and skills to handle asbestos-related risks effectively”.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities announced earlier in 2023, that a £60m fund would be made available to councils to bring neglected urban areas back into use. Disused and unloved brownfield sites across England will be regenerated to deliver thousands of new homes and jobs. This government position means asbestos in soils courses are a necessity. Personnel need asbestos in soils training to undertake their roles safely, coupled with an understanding of the key asbestos regulations and how they fit the broader context of health and safety legislation.
BSSS recognises the importance of education and training quality and availability to soil science as a profession. Two key aspects of its long-term strategy are supporting and encouraging the education of soil science and ensuring high standards of professional practice for those working with soils. To help reach these aims, the Society run training courses, under the banner of Working with Soils, and also promote courses from other providers where the content has been judged to be robust.
UKATA currently offer two major courses focused on asbestos in soils, designed for individuals involved in the development of brownfield sites, which are crucial in addressing the housing crisis: ‘Asbestos Awareness in Soil and Made Ground’ and ‘Management of Asbestos in Soil and Made Ground’.
For further information regarding the training courses provided by both UKATA and BSSS, please visit https://www.ukata.org.uk/training/training-course-portfolio/ and https://soils.org.uk/education/soil-training/ respectively.
UKATA, a leading association, is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources, and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants, and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.
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Published on Monday 27th November 2023