Asbestos Awareness Training Guide

Asbestos was widely used in the building trade at the beginning of the 20th century. It was thought an ideal material because of its resistance to high temperatures, its durability and its insulating properties. The fibres made from asbestos don't evaporate or dissolve in water, and it was known as a 'magic mineral'.

Asbestos was found in three types: white, brown and blue. Since 1985, blue and brown asbestos use has been banned, with white asbestos banned in 1999. Colour alone doesn't confirm which type you've found, as asbestos can be mixed with other materials that change its appearance.

The link between asbestos exposure and mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs and the lining around the lower digestive tract, was first published in 1960. Asbestos exposure can also cause a separate form of lung cancer that looks the same as lung cancer caused by smoking. By the 1960s, it was known that these diseases could affect people who didn't work directly with asbestos.

Despite this knowledge, asbestos continued to be used in the construction industry between the 1970s and 1990s.

Even today, tradespeople working on properties built or refurbished before 2000 are at risk of asbestos exposure, which continues to be a significant cause of work-related deaths in the UK.

To protect workers, the UK has introduced asbestos awareness training as part of health and safety legislation. In this guide, we'll give you an overview of what asbestos awareness training involves, who needs it, the legal obligations and compliance regulations and the training options available.

Let's get started…

Who Needs Asbestos Awareness Training?

Asbestos training is vital for any tradesperson who is likely to come into contact with asbestos due to the nature of their work. This includes the following trades:

Source: hse.gov.uk/asbestos/training

These are trades that work inside and outside properties that could possibly contain asbestos used for boarding or insulation. It's important that if found, asbestos isn't disturbed or is removed by a professional. That's why it is important to recognise asbestos so that the necessary precautions are taken.

There is also training available for trades like plumbers, electricians or carpenters who might disturb low-risk asbestos during the course of their work. This training is called Non-Licensable Works with ACMs (Asbestos-Containing Materials).

Higher-risk work, such as sprayed asbestos coatings, pipe lagging, loose-fill insulation, and most work on asbestos insulating board, must only be carried out by an HSE-licensed contractor. Lower-risk work, such as most work on asbestos cement, doesn't require a licence, provided the workers have had appropriate information, instruction and training. Licensed operatives typically evidence their competence with a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Removal of Hazardous Waste (Construction) – Licensed Asbestos.

Legal Requirements in the UK

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) set out the UK's legislation on asbestos risks. They apply in England, Scotland and Wales, while Northern Ireland has its own Control of Asbestos Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012, carrying the same duties, enforced by the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) rather than the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The HSE oversees compliance with the regulations and can apply penalties for breaches.

The regulations include the following:

• Employers who have employees who are likely to be exposed to asbestos must supply those employees with adequate information, instruction and training.
• Self-employed workers likely to be exposed to asbestos are legally required to undertake asbestos awareness training.
• In a non-domestic building, the duty to manage asbestos falls to the duty holder. This could be the owner of the building, the tenants or the organisation or individual in charge of the building's maintenance and repair.
• Before any works are carried out, the duty holder must find out if there are Asbestos-Containing Materials (ACMs) in the building. If there are, the duty holder must record the amount, condition and location of the asbestos, along with the conclusions of the assessment. Nothing is submitted to HSE — instead, a written plan must be prepared setting out how the risks will be managed, including monitoring the material, keeping it maintained, or arranging safe removal. That information must be handed out to anyone who is likely to come across the asbestos during the course of their work.
• Failing to manage asbestos risks or exposing staff to asbestos is a breach of the asbestos regulations. Breaches can attract heavy fines and prison sentences.

What the Training Covers

The asbestos awareness training course is meant to educate trades on how to avoid work that could disturb asbestos.

It isn't for trades that need education and information about work that most definitely will disturb ACMs.

If you do an asbestos awareness training course, it should include:

• Health Information
• Types of Asbestos and Its Uses
• How to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Asbestos
• Emergency Procedures

Information About Asbestos and How It Affects Your Health

There is an increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who also smoke. The latency period for asbestos-related diseases is typically 15 to 60 years between exposure and symptoms appearing, with younger workers exposed over time at greater risk. Boilermakers, laggers and shipbuilders are good examples.

An Outline of the Types of Asbestos and Its Uses

Asbestos was commonly used in insulation boards, roof sheets, and to lag pipework. But you might also find it in car brakes, vinyl floor tiles and ceilings.

How to Reduce the Risk of Exposure to Asbestos

Employers must provide protective clothing, such as overalls, gloves, and a respirator mask, to anyone likely to be exposed to asbestos. However, this equipment doesn't mean it's safe to carry on working if you suspect asbestos is present.

You'll learn about other measures such as how to inspect the area before cutting or drilling, how to safely clean up minor contamination, and when it's best to leave intact materials undisturbed.

Emergency Procedures

This section covers what you should do following an uncontrolled release of asbestos materials.

If you discover a material you believe contains asbestos, stop work straight away, put up a warning sign, and keep everyone out of the area. Report the find to whoever's in charge, and arrange for a sample to be analysed before work resumes.

If asbestos is accidentally disturbed, warn anyone who may be affected and clear the area of anyone not needed to deal with the release. Work to regain control of the situation as quickly as possible, and make sure anyone without personal protective equipment (PPE) leaves the area and is properly decontaminated. Clean up any dust and debris, decontaminate or dispose of contaminated clothing or PPE, and never use a sweeping brush, as this spreads asbestos fibres further.

Types of Training Available

Asbestos awareness training can be carried out online or at a local college or education centre in the classroom. If you want to find a course, then it is recommended that you look for course providers accredited by:

• The UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA).
• Independent Asbestos Training Providers (IATP).

The UKATA website has a 'Find a Training Provider' box. All you need to do is click on AA01 (Asbestos Awareness) and then enter your address or postcode. You can then use the sliding scale to choose how far you would be prepared to travel.

For example, if you wanted to take a training course within 5 miles of Cardiff, the website then provides you with 6 companies that provide training. You can then visit the websites of each company and view the courses they offer.

The IATP website is similar to the UKATA site. It also has a search box to find training providers. It also has a downloadable course content syllabus for asbestos awareness training with six learning outcomes.

Both organisations accredit course providers who offer:

Classroom Courses

Classroom courses tend to run for half a day with a short test at the end of the course and a certificate for those who pass. Some companies also offer group training sessions at the workplace, which can be organised by your employer.

Pros of a Classroom Course

• ✔ You get the course done in half a day.
• ✔ You can ask questions and get answers immediately.

Cons of a Classroom Course

• ✖ You will need to take time off work to attend the course.
• ✖ It might be more expensive than an online option.

E-Learning

This is one of the most popular methods of obtaining an asbestos awareness certificate. Each module of the course is available online with 24/7 access. At the end of the course, there is a short exam. If you pass the exam, you are able to download and print a certificate of asbestos awareness instantly.

Pros of an E-Learning Course

• ✔ You can study when you have the time, typically in the evening or at weekends.
• ✔ No need to lose a day's wages or holiday time.

Cons of an E-Learning Course

• ✖ You need to be motivated to get the course done quickly.
• ✖ There may not be the opportunity to ask questions, and if there is, the answers won't usually be immediate.

Cost of Asbestos Awareness Training: How Much Are Courses?

Classroom training is generally more expensive than E-Learning courses. You can expect to pay between £45 and £90 for a half-day classroom-based course.

Classroom courses run by your employer aren't as cheap as online courses. The average cost is between £300 and £700, depending on the number of course attendees.

E-courses are on average between £12 and £25, which is perfect if you are on a budget. The cheaper courses might add an extra charge for you to print the certificate. If you think you might need to take your time doing the course, make sure you have course access for at least 12 months.

There are also many free E-courses available online. For example, the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association (ARCA) offers a free asbestos awareness course online. You don't get a certificate at the end unless you want to pay the price of £10, which ARCA donates to Mesothelioma UK.

The Benefits of Asbestos Training

Apart from compliance with the legalities, asbestos awareness training will ensure that mistakes aren't made that might cost money and delay a project. A tradesperson who is aware of the risks of asbestos to health is more likely to take greater care when working in an older home, which is a benefit to the homeowner.

If you work for yourself, make sure you point out this benefit to potential customers, as it might just be the one point that makes you stand out from a competitor who doesn't think to mention it.

Why It Matters: Health, Legal and Financial Implications

The Health Risks

Asbestos fibres are extremely dangerous and cause diseases such as lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Lung Cancer: If you work with asbestos and you smoke, you have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

Mesothelioma: This form of cancer is caused by exposure to asbestos and affects the lining of the lungs or abdomen. UKATA describes asbestos as a whole as the UK's biggest workplace killer, linked to around 5,000 deaths a year, including 2,146 mesothelioma deaths recorded in Great Britain in 2024.

Asbestosis: Inhaling asbestos fibres causes scarring of the lung tissues, which leads to chest pain and shortness of breath.

The problem is that these diseases may not show up for many years, and therefore, many workers ignore the risks. When the symptoms begin to show up, it is often too late for a cure.

That's why awareness training is so important. Knowing how not to disturb asbestos or what to do should an accidental disturbance occur will help to cut the risk of lasting damage to your health.

Legalities

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 is the law, under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which legally requires employers, contractors and self-employed trades to ensure asbestos awareness training is undertaken. If training is not provided, companies and individuals can be prosecuted and fined.

A March 2025 case published on the HSE website outlines the prosecution of a roofing contractor who had disposed of asbestos-containing materials from three garage roofs stored in bags that had ripped open in front of the garages, causing asbestos-containing materials to spill out onto the nearby undergrowth and contaminate personal belongings stored in the garages.

The contractor, Stephen Wilks, trading as S Wilks Roofing, pleaded guilty at Ashton-under-Lyne Magistrates' Court to breaching regulations 11(1) and 16 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, which require planning and precautions to avoid the spread of asbestos.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 200 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £3,582.13 in costs. His name and the name of the company are published on the HSE website so any potential future customers can see that this roofer did not comply with safety regulations.

Insurance and the Effect on Future Work Prospects

Failing to comply with training requirements can also invalidate public liability insurance, employer's liability insurance and professional indemnity insurance, which all contain clauses that require compliance with Health & Safety laws.

That means if there is an accident at work and someone is injured or makes a claim for asbestos inhalation, your business won't be covered by insurance and will be responsible for any payments for legal costs and compensation. You could lose your business, your livelihood and your home.

Failure to comply with asbestos training requirements could also result in the loss of valuable work contracts. Proof of up-to-date asbestos training is often a requirement for obtaining contract work, and if you can't produce proof of training, then it is unlikely that you'll be offered the contract.

How to Stay Compliant

• Take an asbestos awareness training course.
• Keep your asbestos knowledge up to date with refresher training as needed.
• Carry out asbestos risk assessments on any older properties you intend to work on.
• Create a plan of action should you have an accidental asbestos fibre escape.

FAQs