Asbestos Awareness Course

Asbestos remains one of the most serious hidden hazards in older buildings, and the Asbestos Awareness Course gives anyone who might come into contact with it the knowledge to recognise the risk and respond correctly. Aimed at workers and supervisors across construction and related trades, it builds a clear understanding of where asbestos might be found, why it's dangerous, and what to do if it's disturbed. It's a legal requirement under the Control of Asbestos Regulations for anyone likely to disturb asbestos-containing materials as part of their work, and many employers pair it with the CITB Health and Safety Awareness Course as part of a wider site induction programme.

Because asbestos-containing materials were used so widely in buildings constructed before 2000, the risk of accidental disturbance during routine maintenance, refurbishment or demolition work remains genuinely high. This course focuses on practical recognition rather than technical over-complication, helping delegates understand where asbestos is likely to turn up and what steps to take the moment suspicious materials are found, along with the emergency arrangements to follow if unintentional contact occurs.

Workers likely to encounter asbestos alongside other site hazards often combine it with PPE Awareness Training and Working at Height Training too, building a broader foundation of practical safety knowledge rather than treating each risk area in isolation.

Successful candidates receive a certificate of attendance following a short written test, and there are no formal entry requirements for anyone booking a place, making this an accessible starting point regardless of prior experience in the industry.

On successful completion, delegates should be able to:

• Have an increased awareness of the nature and properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the increased risk of lung cancer for asbestos workers who smoke
• Be familiar with the types, uses and likely occurrences of asbestos in buildings and, where appropriate, items of plant
• Know how to avoid the risks from asbestos by understanding where to obtain information on asbestos in premises prior to commencing work, what to do if suspicious materials are found, how to use appropriate workplace precautions including the risk assessment process, and how to undertake work activities safely and without risk to themselves or others
• Have an awareness of general health and safety legislation and asbestos-specific legislation
• Understand the procedures to follow when coming into unintentional contact with ACMs, and the appropriate emergency arrangements

This course will cover the following topics:

• History of asbestos
• Types of asbestos
• Health hazards associated with asbestos
• Products and materials
• Duty to manage, CAWR 2006
• Asbestos management options

All delegates are required to sit a short written test, with successful candidates receiving a certificate of attendance. A score of at least 11 out of 15 is needed to pass. Candidates who don't reach this score must resit the examination under exam conditions, and a further failure at that stage means resitting the entire course.

The Asbestos Awareness Course is for:

• Anyone who may be exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their work
• Those who supervise that work
• Anyone wanting a better understanding of the basic elements of asbestos in buildings before moving on to more in-depth training, as a useful stepping stone

This course is a legal requirement for the first two groups above.