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Health & Safety Courses

Asbestos Awareness Training Online (Category A)

This course raises awareness of where asbestos is found, the serious health risks it presents, and the legal responsibilities that apply — helping to protect workers in buildings constructed or refurbished before 2000.

⏱ Around 30 mins CPD certified RoSPA approved Instant certificate
Accredited byRoSPA approvedCPD certified
Asbestos warning label on asbestos-containing material in an older building
  • LevelCategory A awareness
  • FormatOnline
  • DurationAround 30 mins
  • Modules12 modules
  • AssessmentMultiple-choice exam
  • Pass mark75% · free unlimited retakes
  • CertificateInstant digital certificate
  • AccreditationCPD · RoSPA

What is the Asbestos Awareness Course?

The Online Asbestos Awareness Training Course is designed to help employees and employers understand the risks associated with asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) and how to avoid disturbing them during day-to-day work activities.

Suitable for UK workplaces where employees may encounter asbestos during their normal work, this Category A asbestos awareness course covers identification of ACMs, relevant legislation, Duty Holder responsibilities, and what to do if asbestos is suspected or disturbed. It applies to a wide range of trades and occupations and supports organisations in meeting their legal duty to provide adequate asbestos awareness training under Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

The course is delivered fully online, allowing learners to complete training at their own pace. Upon successful completion, learners receive a digital Asbestos Awareness Certificate, accredited by CPD, providing recognised evidence of training.

There are no formal entry requirements for this course. No prior asbestos training is required.

Asbestos is the single greatest cause of work-related deaths in the UK, responsible for around 5,000 fatalities every year. Over twenty tradespeople die every week from asbestos-related diseases, and many of these deaths result from accidental disturbance by workers who had no idea asbestos was present.

What you'll learn

By the end of this asbestos awareness training you'll be able to:

  • What asbestos is and why it remains a significant risk in UK buildings
  • The three main types of asbestos and how to recognise them
  • Where asbestos-containing materials are commonly found
  • Why asbestos is dangerous and how fibres cause serious illness
  • Legal duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
  • The role and responsibilities of the Duty Holder
  • How asbestos is managed through surveys and risk assessments
  • What employees must do if they suspect or accidentally disturb asbestos
  • The difference between licensed and non-licensed asbestos work
  • Employer and employee responsibilities for asbestos management

Training you can trust

This asbestos awareness training course is CPD accredited, ensuring it meets recognised standards for quality and relevance. It is developed in line with UK legislation and HSE guidance, making it suitable for Category A asbestos awareness training across a wide range of job roles and industries.

Training material is delivered through structured modules with clear explanations, practical examples, and defined learning outcomes — all online and self-paced, so you can complete it on any device in around 30 minutes.

Course content

This course is delivered through twelve structured modules, each focusing on a key area of asbestos awareness. You can work through the modules at your own pace and revisit any topic as often as you need.

1. Introduction to Asbestos

This opening module explains what asbestos is, why it was so widely used in UK construction, and how it became one of the country's most significant occupational health hazards. You will gain a clear understanding of the naturally occurring fibre and the historical context behind asbestos awareness training, setting the foundation for everything that follows.

2. Types of Asbestos and How to Identify Them

Here you will learn about the different types of asbestos, including chrysotile, amosite and crocidolite, and the visual and material clues that may indicate its presence. Because asbestos cannot always be identified with confidence by sight alone, this module also explains why suspect materials should be treated as asbestos until proven otherwise and tested by a competent professional.

3. Where Asbestos is Found in Buildings

This module looks at the many places asbestos-containing materials may be hidden in older buildings, from ceiling tiles, insulation and pipe lagging to floor tiles, sprayed coatings and cement products. Knowing the common locations helps you stay alert during everyday work and recognise when you may be at risk of disturbing asbestos.

4. Health Risks and Routes of Exposure

You will explore the serious health conditions linked to asbestos exposure, including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma, and understand how inhaling airborne fibres causes long-term harm. This module explains why there is often a long delay between exposure and illness, reinforcing the importance of preventing exposure in the first place.

5. Who is at Risk

This section identifies the trades and roles most likely to encounter asbestos, such as builders, electricians, plumbers, joiners and maintenance workers. By recognising whether your own work puts you at risk, you can take the right precautions and understand why asbestos awareness training is essential before working on or in older premises.

6. The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and Legal Responsibilities

This module sets out the key duties under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, the main legislation governing asbestos in the UK. You will learn how the law protects workers and the public, and understand the legal responsibilities placed on employers, employees and duty holders to manage asbestos safely.

7. Duty Holder Responsibilities and Asbestos Surveys

Here you will learn about the duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises and the role of the duty holder in keeping people safe. The module also covers the purpose of asbestos surveys, including how they identify the location and condition of asbestos-containing materials to inform a clear management plan.

8. Assessing and Managing the Risk

This module explains how the risk from asbestos is assessed and how an asbestos register and management plan are used to keep materials safe and undisturbed. You will understand why well-maintained asbestos in good condition is often safest left in place and monitored, rather than removed without proper planning.

9. Licensed and Non-Licensed Asbestos Work

You will learn the important distinction between licensed, notifiable non-licensed and non-licensed asbestos work, and why higher-risk tasks must only be carried out by suitably licensed contractors. This module helps you recognise the limits of your own role and understand when specialist support is legally required.

10. What Employees Should Do if Asbestos is Found or Disturbed

This practical module guides you through the correct steps to take if you discover or accidentally disturb suspected asbestos. You will learn to stop work immediately, prevent others from entering the area and report the issue without delay, helping to protect yourself and your colleagues from harmful exposure.

11. Emergency Arrangements

Here you will cover the emergency procedures that should be in place in case of an uncontrolled asbestos release or accidental disturbance. The module explains how prompt, well-rehearsed responses limit the spread of fibres and reduce the risk to everyone on site while specialist help is arranged.

12. Final Assessment

The course concludes with a final assessment to confirm your understanding of the key principles of asbestos awareness. Successfully completing this assessment demonstrates that you have absorbed the essential knowledge needed to work more safely around asbestos and helps evidence your training for compliance purposes.

Assessment & certificate

To earn your Asbestos Awareness Certificate, you'll complete a multiple-choice final assessment with a pass mark of 75%. Retakes are included at no extra cost, so if you're not successful first time you can take the assessment again, as many times as you need.

As soon as you pass, you'll receive an instant digital Asbestos Awareness Certificate confirming CPD accreditation. It can be downloaded, printed, or stored electronically as part of your training records. Employers purchasing for teams can track completions through the online platform. The certificate has no fixed expiry date, but the HSE recommends refreshing asbestos awareness training annually.

Who is this course for?

This Category A asbestos awareness course is suitable for anyone who may encounter asbestos during their normal work, including:

  • Employees working in buildings built or refurbished before 2000
  • Construction, maintenance, and facilities management staff
  • Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other tradespeople
  • Housing association and local authority workers
  • New starters and annual refresher training
  • Employers meeting their legal training obligations under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012

Need to cover other workplace risks too? Take a look at our COSHH Training, Working at Height Course and Manual Handling Training — or browse all Health & Safety Courses.

For employers & managers

Training your team

Buy, assign and manage asbestos awareness training across your whole team — all from one place.

Buy in bulk and save

Discounts apply automatically at checkout and scale with your order. Mix and match different courses across your team — the discount applies to your whole basket.

Assign seats your way

Buy the seats you need now and assign them to staff whenever it suits — add team members by email and they'll get their own login.

Track progress in real time

A simple manager dashboard shows who has started, who's in progress and who has passed — so you can follow up before an inspection.

Certificates and audit records

Download every team member's certificate from one account and export a training record for inspections or internal audits.

Flexible payment

Pay by card for instant access, or get in touch about invoicing and purchase orders for larger team orders.

UK-based support

Our team is on hand to help with enrolments, dashboards and invoicing. Call 0800 852 7229.

Talk to us about team training

..Bulk pricing & team discounts

Bigger orders = bigger discounts

The more seats you buy, the more you save — and discounts apply across your whole order, including mixed courses.

10+seats10% off
50+seats20% off
100+seats30% off
500+seats40% off

Discounts are applied automatically at checkout based on your total quantity.

Why train with us

Genuinely accreditedCPD certified and RoSPA approved.
Meets Category A standardDeveloped in line with UK legislation and HSE guidance.
Engaging contentStructured modules with clear explanations and practical examples — no prior knowledge needed.
Learn anywhereFully online and self-paced, on any device.
Risk-freeFree unlimited retakes if you don't pass first time.
Instant certificateDownload your digital certificate the moment you pass.
Frequently asked questions

Asbestos Awareness course FAQs

Do the course credits expire?

No — your course credits never expire until they're used. Buy now and assign them to staff whenever you're ready.

What is asbestos awareness training?

Asbestos awareness training is designed to help workers recognise where asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) are likely to be found, understand the serious health risks associated with asbestos exposure, and know what to do if they suspect asbestos is present or have accidentally disturbed it. It does not train workers to remove or work with asbestos — it is awareness-only training aimed at preventing accidental disturbance in the first place.

Is asbestos awareness training a legal requirement?

Yes. Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 places a legal duty on employers to provide adequate information, instruction, and training to any employee who may be exposed to asbestos, or who supervises such employees. This applies to a wide range of workers — not just those in the construction industry. If your employees work in any building constructed or refurbished before 2000, this training is a legal requirement.

What is a Category A asbestos course?

Category A refers to asbestos awareness training — the entry-level tier under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012. It is intended for workers who may accidentally come into contact with asbestos during their normal activities but who are not expected to work directly with it. This includes tradespeople such as electricians, plumbers, and joiners, as well as facilities staff, maintenance workers, and anyone regularly working in older buildings. This course meets the Category A standard.

Does this course meet the requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012?

Yes. The course covers all the subject areas outlined in the HSE's guidance on asbestos awareness training, including the properties of asbestos, where it is found, the health risks it presents, how to recognise ACMs, relevant legislation, and what action to take if asbestos is found or disturbed. Employers are required to ensure training is "adequate and appropriate" for the role — this course is designed to meet that standard for Category A workers.

Does the course need to be UKATA accredited to be legally valid?

No. There is no legal requirement for asbestos awareness training to be delivered by a UKATA (UK Asbestos Training Association) or IATP-accredited provider. The law requires that training is adequate and appropriate — it does not specify which organisation must approve it. UKATA accreditation is a quality mark that some clients and principal contractors choose to mandate on specific sites or contracts, but this is a commercial requirement rather than a legal one. For the vast majority of employers and employees, a well-structured course that covers the correct content and provides evidence of completion is fully sufficient.

Is CPD accreditation enough?

For most workplaces, yes. CPD accreditation confirms that the course has been independently reviewed and meets recognised standards for structured learning. Combined with a completion certificate and training records, this provides credible, documented evidence that your legal training obligation has been met. If the adequacy of training were ever questioned — by an HSE inspector, an insurer, or following an incident — your defence rests on the content covered and the records you hold, not on which body accredited the course. This course covers all the subject matter required for Category A asbestos awareness training.

Who should complete this course?

Anyone who works in a building built or refurbished before 2000 and whose work could disturb the fabric of the building should complete this course. This includes — but is not limited to — electricians, plumbers, gas engineers, plasterers, joiners, decorators, HVAC engineers, facilities managers, caretakers, housing maintenance staff, and school or public sector workers. If in doubt, it is better to train than not to — the consequences of accidental asbestos exposure are severe and irreversible.

Can I complete the course online?

Yes. The course is delivered entirely online. There are no scheduled sessions to book — you can start immediately after purchase and complete the training at a time and pace that suits you. This makes it ideal for inducting new starters quickly or rolling out refresher training across a team without disrupting operations.

How long does the course take?

The course takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. There are no time restrictions — you can pause and return to the course at any point, making it straightforward to fit around a busy working day.

Will I receive a certificate, and does it expire?

Yes. Upon successfully passing the final assessment, you will receive an instant digital Asbestos Awareness Certificate confirming CPD accreditation, which can be downloaded, printed, or stored electronically as part of your training records. The certificate itself does not have a fixed expiry date, but the HSE recommends that asbestos awareness training is refreshed annually so workers maintain up-to-date knowledge and demonstrate ongoing compliance. At £14 per learner, annual refresher training is a straightforward and cost-effective way to stay compliant.

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Instant access, learn at your own pace, and download your CPD-accredited Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass — from just £14 per learner.

Asbestos Awareness Training (Category A) CPD & RoSPA accredited · instant certificate
£14.00