Who is required to take asbestos awareness training? In the UK, anyone whose work could accidentally disturb asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), or who supervises those workers, is likely to require asbestos awareness training under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance on asbestos training explains which workers should receive appropriate information, instruction and training.
The training helps workers recognise asbestos, understand the risks, avoid disturbing it and know what action to take if they encounter suspected asbestos.
Do I Need Asbestos Awareness Training? A Quick Checklist
You are likely to need asbestos awareness training if you answer YES to any of these questions:
- Do you work on buildings that were built or refurbished before 2000?
- Does your job involve drilling, cutting, sanding or fixing into walls, ceilings or floors?
- Do you carry out maintenance, repair, installation or refurbishment work?
- Could you come into contact with insulation, textured coatings, cement products or other materials that may contain asbestos?
- Do you supervise people carrying out this type of work?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, your employer, or you if you’re self-employed, should assess whether asbestos awareness training is required for the work you carry out.
Jobs That Commonly Require Asbestos Awareness Training
Many tradespeople and maintenance professionals require asbestos awareness training because their work may disturb the fabric of older buildings.
| Job | Why asbestos awareness training is needed |
|---|---|
| Electricians | They drill into walls, ceilings and service risers where asbestos-containing materials may be present. |
| Plumbers | They work on pipework, service ducts and boiler cupboards that may contain asbestos. |
| Gas engineers | They access heating systems and associated building materials in older properties. |
| Heating engineers | They work around boilers, pipe insulation and heating systems where asbestos may be present. |
| Ventilation and air conditioning engineers | They access ductwork, plant rooms and insulation that may contain asbestos. |
| Joiners and carpenters | They cut, drill and alter building materials that could contain asbestos. |
| Painters and decorators | Preparing surfaces or removing fixtures can disturb asbestos-containing materials. |
| Builders | Repair, maintenance and refurbishment work often involves hidden asbestos-containing materials. |
| Property maintenance operatives | Their day-to-day work regularly involves the fabric of buildings where asbestos may be present. |
| Telecommunications and broadband engineers | Installing cables often requires drilling through walls and ceilings that may contain asbestos. |
| Fire and security engineers | Installing alarms, CCTV and access systems frequently involves drilling into building materials that may contain asbestos. |
| Building surveyors | They inspect older buildings where asbestos-containing materials may be present. |
This is not an exhaustive list. If your work could accidentally disturb asbestos-containing materials, asbestos awareness training may be required regardless of your job title.
Who Doesn’t Usually Need Asbestos Awareness Training?
Workers whose roles do not involve disturbing the fabric of a building do not usually require asbestos awareness training. This may include office workers, retail staff, receptionists and others whose work is unlikely to bring them into contact with asbestos-containing materials.
However, if your responsibilities change and you begin carrying out maintenance, installation or refurbishment work, asbestos awareness training and certification may then become necessary.
What Does Asbestos Awareness Training Cover?
Asbestos awareness training is designed to help workers recognise asbestos risks and avoid accidental exposure. A typical course covers:
- What asbestos is and why it was widely used.
- Where asbestos-containing materials are commonly found.
- The health risks associated with asbestos exposure.
- How to recognise situations where asbestos may be present.
- How to avoid disturbing asbestos during work.
- What to do if asbestos is suspected or accidentally disturbed.
It’s important to remember that asbestos awareness training helps workers identify and avoid asbestos risks. It does not qualify anyone to intentionally work on or remove asbestos-containing materials.
If your work could bring you into contact with asbestos, our online asbestos awareness training course provides the knowledge needed to recognise asbestos hazards, avoid accidental exposure and understand your responsibilities.
