Asbestos awareness training is legally required for anyone whose work could reasonably expose them to asbestos-containing materials. This includes many tradespeople, maintenance workers, construction professionals, property teams and those who supervise work where asbestos may be present.
This guide has been produced by the Sirius Online training team, which provides workplace health and safety training for construction, maintenance, facilities management and property professionals across the UK.
Based on experience supporting employers with asbestos awareness training and compliance needs, this article explains who may need training, what the law requires and why role-based risk assessment matters.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require employers to provide adequate information, instruction and training to employees who are liable to be exposed to asbestos, or who supervise those employees.
What Does the Law Say About Asbestos Awareness Training?
Employers have a legal duty to provide asbestos awareness training where workers may encounter asbestos during their work.
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires employers to make sure relevant employees receive adequate information, instruction and training before they carry out work that could expose them to asbestos.
Key Answer
Asbestos awareness training is required before employees undertake work that could expose them to asbestos-containing materials.
Employers who fail to provide suitable training may face compliance issues, enforcement action, increased liability and greater risk of workplace exposure.
Who Is Legally Required to Receive Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos awareness training is required based on exposure risk, not job title alone.
If a worker may disturb the fabric of a building, access hidden areas, maintain older premises or supervise work where asbestos may be present, they may need asbestos awareness training.
Electricians
Electricians need asbestos awareness training when their work may involve older buildings or hidden building materials. Electrical work can include drilling into walls, lifting ceiling tiles, entering service voids and carrying out refurbishment tasks.
Plumbers and Heating Engineers
Plumbers and heating engineers need asbestos awareness training when working around pipework, boilers, plant rooms and older insulation. Asbestos can be found in pipe lagging, thermal insulation, gaskets, panels and heating system materials.
Builders and General Construction Workers
Builders and general construction workers often need asbestos awareness training because refurbishment, repair and alteration work can disturb asbestos-containing materials.
Carpenters and Joiners
Carpenters and joiners need asbestos awareness training when their work involves cutting, drilling, sanding or removing building materials, including doors, windows, partitions and interior fixtures.
Painters and Decorators
Painters and decorators may need asbestos awareness training when working in older properties. Surface preparation, scraping, sanding, drilling and renovation work can disturb textured coatings, boards and panels.
Maintenance Operatives and Facilities Teams
Maintenance operatives and facilities teams often need asbestos awareness training because they carry out routine repairs and building upkeep in areas such as ceiling voids, service ducts, risers, plant rooms, wall panels and floor coverings.
Roofing Contractors
Roofing contractors may need asbestos awareness training when working on older roofs, garages, commercial buildings and industrial premises where asbestos cement sheets, soffits, gutters and roofline materials may be present.
Demolition Workers
Demolition workers need asbestos awareness training because their work carries a higher chance of encountering asbestos-containing materials. Before demolition, asbestos risks should be assessed through suitable surveys and site controls.
Property and Estate Management Professionals
Property and estate management professionals may need asbestos awareness training if they manage maintenance, appoint contractors or oversee work in older buildings. Training helps them understand asbestos risks and support safer contractor management.
Who Does Not Normally Need Asbestos Awareness Training?
Workers with no foreseeable risk of asbestos exposure do not normally need asbestos awareness training.
- Office-based workers
- Retail staff
- Administrative employees
- Remote workers
- Staff who do not enter maintenance, plant, construction or refurbishment areas
Site-specific circumstances still matter. An office worker in a modern, asbestos-free building may not need training, but a facilities coordinator arranging repairs in an older property may need suitable asbestos knowledge.
Why Is Asbestos Awareness Training So Important?
Asbestos awareness training helps prevent accidental exposure by teaching workers how to recognise possible risks before work starts.
Protecting Worker Health
Asbestos exposure can cause serious long-term diseases, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. The danger comes from breathing in asbestos fibres after materials have been drilled, cut, broken or sanded.
Supporting Legal Compliance
Training helps employers meet their duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. Employers should also keep training records, review competence and make sure workers know what to do before starting work in areas where asbestos may be present.
Creating Safer Workplaces
Trained workers are more likely to spot possible asbestos-containing materials, pause work, report concerns and follow emergency procedures. This reduces risk for the worker, other trades, building occupants and the wider site team.
What Does Asbestos Awareness Training Cover?
Asbestos awareness training covers the knowledge workers need to recognise asbestos risks and avoid exposure.
Identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials
Training explains common asbestos-containing materials and where they may be found in buildings.
Health Risks Linked to Exposure
Workers learn how asbestos fibres can affect health and why exposure must be prevented.
Emergency Procedures
Training explains what to do if asbestos is suspected or accidentally disturbed.
Legal Responsibilities
Workers learn about employer duties, employee responsibilities and the importance of following safe working procedures.
Safe Working Practices
Asbestos awareness training teaches workers to avoid disturbing suspect materials and to stop work when asbestos risk has not been properly assessed.
Why Choose Sirius Online for Asbestos Awareness Training?
Sirius Online provides flexible online asbestos awareness training for workers and employers who need a clear, practical way to support compliance.
Training for Industries Affected by Asbestos
Sirius Online training is suitable for electricians, plumbers, builders, joiners, decorators, facilities teams, contractors, roofing professionals, demolition workers and property professionals.
Flexible Online Learning
Online learning allows workers to complete training from a suitable location, without travel costs or major disruption to the working day.
Useful for Employers Managing Several Workers
For employers, online asbestos awareness training helps create consistent training standards across teams. It also supports workforce compliance without pulling staff away from site for longer than needed.
Practical Workplace Content
The course is built around real workplace risks in construction, maintenance, refurbishment and property management.
Supporting Safer, Better-Informed Workforces
Sirius Online delivers asbestos awareness training through flexible online learning, practical content and a clear user experience that helps workers and employers stay compliant with confidence.
Expert Guidance on Asbestos Awareness Training Duties
The safest approach is to assess asbestos training needs by role, work activity and building risk.
Employers should consider whether workers may disturb building materials, enter older premises, supervise contractors or work in areas where asbestos could be present. Sirius Online supports organisations with online asbestos awareness training that helps workers recognise risk, follow safer procedures and maintain suitable training records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is asbestos awareness training a legal requirement?
Yes. It is legally required where workers may be exposed to asbestos during their work, or where they supervise workers who may be exposed.
Who is responsible for providing asbestos awareness training?
Employers are responsible for providing adequate information, instruction and training to employees who may be exposed to asbestos at work.
Do self-employed contractors need asbestos awareness training?
Self-employed contractors should complete asbestos awareness training if their work could bring them into contact with asbestos-containing materials.
How often should asbestos awareness training be refreshed?
Refresher training should be provided regularly. Many employers use annual refresher training as best practice.
Can asbestos awareness training be completed online?
Yes. Asbestos awareness training can be completed online where the course is suitable for the worker’s role and covers the required learning outcomes.
What happens if workers do not receive asbestos training?
Lack of training can increase exposure risk, create compliance problems, lead to enforcement action and affect site access or contractor approval.
Is asbestos awareness training enough to remove asbestos?
No. Asbestos awareness training does not qualify a person to remove asbestos. Workers carrying out asbestos work may need non-licensed or licensed asbestos training depending on the task.
Key Takeaways
- Asbestos awareness training is legally required for workers who may encounter asbestos.
- Training need is based on exposure risk, not job title alone.
- Many tradespeople, construction workers, maintenance teams, roofing contractors, demolition workers and property professionals may need training.
- Employers have legal duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
- Proper training helps reduce health risks and improve workplace safety.
- Sirius Online provides flexible online asbestos awareness training for affected sectors across the UK.
About Sirius Online
Sirius Online provides workplace training courses for businesses and individuals across the UK. Training topics include health and safety, compliance and workplace risk awareness, helping organisations support safer working environments and meet their legal responsibilities. If you are an employer or contractor, and still unsure of what you need to do, get in touch with us here and we can help you understand your obligations.