Asbestos Awareness training provides workers with the knowledge required to recognise asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), understand the health risks associated with asbestos exposure and follow safe work practices when asbestos may be present. The course is designed to help workers identify potential asbestos hazards and avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials.

This course is suitable for workers who may encounter asbestos during their work activities, including construction workers, tradespeople, maintenance workers, demolition workers, facility managers, property managers, supervisors and contractors.

Many employers require workers who may encounter asbestos-containing materials to complete asbestos awareness training. Training helps organisations meet their workplace health and safety obligations and ensures workers understand how to recognise and respond to asbestos hazards.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that was widely used in building and construction materials due to its strength, durability and heat-resistant properties. Although asbestos use has been banned in Australia, many older buildings still contain asbestos-containing materials.

Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are products that contain asbestos fibres. Common examples include asbestos cement sheeting, roofing products, wall cladding, fencing, vinyl floor tiles, insulation products and pipe lagging.

It is often difficult to identify asbestos by visual inspection alone. If asbestos is suspected, the material should be treated as though it contains asbestos until testing or professional assessment confirms otherwise.

If you suspect asbestos is present, stop work immediately, avoid disturbing the material, isolate the area where possible and report the issue to your supervisor or employer. Only appropriately trained and authorised persons should assess or remove asbestos-containing materials.

Exposure to airborne asbestos fibres can cause serious health conditions including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. These diseases can develop many years after exposure and there is no known safe level of asbestos exposure.

Asbestos-containing materials that are in good condition and left undisturbed generally present a lower risk. The greatest risk occurs when asbestos materials are damaged, cut, drilled, sanded, broken or otherwise disturbed, causing fibres to become airborne.

No. Asbestos Awareness training does not qualify a person to remove asbestos. The course focuses on asbestos identification, awareness and safe work practices. Separate asbestos removal training is required for workers undertaking asbestos removal activities.

Asbestos Awareness training teaches workers how to identify asbestos hazards and avoid disturbing asbestos-containing materials. Asbestos removal training provides the skills and knowledge required to safely remove asbestos-containing materials and is intended for workers carrying out licensed or non-licensed asbestos removal work.

Requirements vary between states and territories. Certain asbestos removal work may be restricted and some work must be carried out by licensed asbestos removalists. Always check the applicable regulatory requirements before attempting any asbestos removal work.

The online course is self-paced and can generally be completed within a few hours. Participants can complete the training at a time and pace that suits their schedule.

No. Asbestos Awareness is generally delivered as a non-accredited awareness course designed to provide practical knowledge of asbestos hazards and safe work practices.

Upon successful completion of the course, participants receive a Certificate of Completion confirming they have completed Asbestos Awareness training.