How to complete mandatory asbestos awareness training

Completing asbestos awareness training is a legal necessity for you and anyone you employ who works on buildings constructed before the year 2000. This training is not about removing asbestos; it’s about teaching you how to identify it and avoid disturbing it, which is a crucial, life-saving skill. Your first and most important step is to find a UKATA-approved training provider and book a course for all your site-based staff.

Why is this training mandatory?

Asbestos is a hazardous material that was widely used in UK construction until it was finally banned in 1999. If materials containing asbestos are disturbed, tiny fibres are released into the air. When inhaled, these fibres can lead to serious and often fatal lung diseases many years later. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 makes it a legal requirement for employers to provide information and training to any employee who is likely to be exposed to asbestos during their work.

Think of this not just as a box-ticking exercise, but as one of the most important pieces of health and safety training you will ever complete.

Who needs this training?

This training is mandatory for any tradesperson whose work could foreseeably disturb the fabric of a building. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Electricians, plumbers, and gas fitters
• Joiners, carpenters, and plasterers
• Painters and decorators
• General builders and demolition workers
• Roofers and floorers
• Heating and ventilation engineers

In short, if your work involves drilling, cutting, sanding, or fixing into the structure of a property built before 2000, you need to hold a valid asbestos awareness certificate.

How to get certified

Getting your certificate is a straightforward process. The training is designed to be accessible and is usually completed in half a day.

1. Find an approved provider: The most widely recognised body for this training is UKATA (the UK Asbestos Training Association). Always look for a provider who is UKATA-approved to ensure the training meets the legal standard.
2. Search for a course: Visit the official UKATA website and use their course directory to find an 'Asbestos Awareness' course. You can search for local training centres or opt for an online e-learning course for greater flexibility.
3. Book and attend the course: Book places for yourself and any relevant staff. The course will cover what asbestos is, where it might be found, its health effects, and what to do if you accidentally discover or disturb it.
4. Receive your certificate: Upon successful completion, you will be issued with a certificate. This is your formal proof of compliance.

What to do with your certificate

Keep a digital copy of your certificate and those of your staff readily available. Many principal contractors and commercial clients will ask to see proof of this training before allowing you on site. It’s also important to note the expiry date on the certificate. You are required to take a refresher course, typically every year, to ensure your knowledge remains up-to-date.