If you work in construction, maintenance or any trade that touches older buildings in the UK, asbestos awareness training is one of the first courses you should have. Asbestos is invisible in the air, has no smell and causes no immediate pain, yet it can be hidden in walls, ceilings, pipework and roofs on the sites you work on every week.
This guide explains who needs asbestos awareness training under HSE guidance, what it covers, what to do if you suspect asbestos and what employers must put in place. It is written for both site workers and the employers and site managers responsible for keeping their teams safe.
Why asbestos is still a risk on UK sites
Asbestos was widely used in British buildings for insulation, fire protection and strength until it was fully banned in the late 1990s. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), it can be found in any building built before the year 2000.
Undisturbed and in good condition, it poses little risk. The danger comes when it is drilled, cut, sanded or demolished, releasing fibres that can be breathed in. Asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis often appear decades later. HSE estimates asbestos still causes around 5,000 deaths a year, and its July 2026 figures show 2,146 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2024.
Where you might find asbestos
- ceiling tiles, partition walls and wall panels;
- pipe lagging, boilers and heating systems;
- asbestos cement roofing, gutters and downpipes;
- floor tiles and the adhesive beneath them;
- textured coatings and older decorative finishes;
- fire doors and panels around electrical or ventilation equipment.
You cannot tell by looking whether a material contains asbestos. Before work starts, ask the client or building manager for asbestos information, such as the asbestos register or survey report.
Who needs asbestos awareness training?
Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, every employer must ensure that anyone liable to disturb asbestos during their normal work, and anyone who supervises them, receives the right level of information, instruction and training. HSE’s examples include:
- construction, demolition and general maintenance workers;
- electricians, plumbers, joiners and gas fitters;
- painters and decorators, plasterers and roofers;
- heating and ventilation engineers, alarm installers and telecoms or data installers;
- architects and building surveyors.
The list is not exhaustive. If your job involves drilling, cutting or stripping out materials in pre-2000 buildings, the training applies to you.
What the training covers, and what it doesn’t
Asbestos awareness is designed to help workers and supervisors avoid work that could disturb asbestos. You will learn about its properties and health effects, the materials where it is commonly found, how to check for asbestos information before starting a job, and what to do in an emergency.
Crucially, HSE is clear that awareness training does not prepare you to work with asbestos-containing materials. Work that disturbs asbestos requires further training for non-licensable work, and most higher-risk work must be carried out by licensed contractors.
What to do if you suspect asbestos
- Stop work immediately and do not touch the material further.
- Do not sweep up dust or use an ordinary vacuum cleaner.
- Tell your supervisor or site manager straight away.
- Keep colleagues away from the area.
- Only restart once the material has been checked and you have clear instructions.
What employers need to do
- Identify which roles may encounter asbestos and train them before their first job.
- Request asbestos information from the client before work begins.
- Keep accurate training records for every worker, for example in a training matrix.
- Provide refreshers as needed. HSE says there is no legal requirement to repeat a full awareness course every 12 months, but some form of refresher should be given when necessary.
HSE recognises e-learning as a valid delivery method for asbestos awareness, provided it meets Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the Approved Code of Practice L143. Always check the latest guidance on hse.gov.uk.
How Rafidin Education helps
Our Asbestos Awareness course sits in the Health & Safety category, alongside other site-ready courses such as Working Safely, Fire Marshal, Health & Safety Essentials and Fire Safety. To understand evacuation roles on site, read our guide to fire marshal duties in the UK.
- CPD-accredited courses that employers recognise;
- bilingual content in English and Romanian, ideal for mixed teams;
- fully online and self-paced, so you can learn around your shifts;
- certificate available as soon as you finish;
- 1:1 consultancy to plan your next career step.
For employers: we offer B2B training for whole teams, with online access and clear completion records. It works especially well for multilingual workforces. Get in touch and we will suggest a package that fits your team.
Please note: CSCS cards and CITB qualifications are issued through their official bodies; Rafidin does not issue them.
Safe sites start with the right knowledge. Book your asbestos awareness training today and browse all Rafidin Education courses.
Frequently asked questions
Is asbestos awareness training a legal requirement?
Employers must provide suitable information, instruction and training to anyone liable to disturb asbestos in their normal work. For most construction and maintenance trades, that means asbestos awareness training before starting work.
Can I work on asbestos after an awareness course?
No. Awareness training teaches you to avoid asbestos and respond correctly. Work that disturbs asbestos needs further training, and higher-risk work must be done by licensed contractors.
How often should asbestos awareness training be refreshed?
HSE does not require a full course every year, but some form of refresher should be given when needed. Many employers choose an annual refresher as good practice.
