What This Course Covers

What is Asbestos Awareness Training?

Asbestos awareness training is designed to provide individuals with the fundamental understanding required to work safely in environments where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) might be present. Its primary purpose is not to train you to remove asbestos, but to equip you with the ability to:

• Recognise common materials that may contain asbestos.
• Understand the dangers associated with asbestos exposure.
• Know what to do if you suspect you have found asbestos or if it is accidentally disturbed.

Ultimately, this training aims to prevent accidental disturbance of ACMs, which is the main way people are exposed to harmful asbestos fibres. By understanding the risks and proper procedures, you safeguard your own health and contribute to a safer workplace.

Why Asbestos Awareness Matters: A Costly Oversight

Imagine a maintenance worker, John, tasked with installing new cabling in an old office building. He notices some old pipe insulation that looks a bit worn but thinks nothing of it, assuming it's just regular fibreglass. Without checking the asbestos register or having awareness training, he drills directly into the insulation to secure a bracket. This action releases a cloud of invisible asbestos fibres into the air.

John has now potentially exposed himself and others in the vicinity to a serious health risk. His lack of asbestos awareness meant he couldn't recognise the potential ACM and didn't follow the critical step of checking for asbestos information. This single oversight could lead to long-term health consequences for John and significant clean-up costs and legal issues for his employer.

Asbestos Awareness in Action: A Proactive Approach

Consider Sarah, a plumber working in a similar older building. Before beginning her work, she recalls her asbestos awareness training. Her first step is to consult the building's asbestos register, which clearly indicates the presence of asbestos pipe lagging in the area where she needs to work. The register also specifies that this particular lagging is in good condition and should not be disturbed.

Armed with this knowledge, Sarah adjusts her work plan. Instead of drilling into the wall near the pipe, she finds an alternative routing for her pipes that completely avoids the ACM. She also informs her supervisor about the identified asbestos and her adjusted plan, ensuring everyone is aware and the material remains undisturbed.

Sarah's asbestos awareness allowed her to identify a potential hazard, access critical information, and modify her approach to prevent exposure. This proactive behaviour protects her health, her colleagues, and ensures compliance with safety regulations.