Agriculture industry guide
45 min - Instant certificate
Asbestos Awareness Training for Agriculture and Farming in Ireland.
Essential Asbestos Awareness Training for farmers, farm workers and contractors. Learn how to recognise asbestos cement roof sheets, flues, water tanks and old insulation on farm buildings, and avoid disturbing them during repairs.
CAR 2006 compliant
Instant certificate
24/7 online access
CPD certified
Agriculture edition
Asbestos Awareness Training for Irish farms and outbuildings.
Built around the asbestos cement roof sheets, flues, tanks and old insulation found on barns, sheds and farmyards across Ireland.
- Recognise ACMs and follow STOP-CHECK-REPORT
- CPD certified, RoSPA approved, IATP
- Verifiable certificate valid for 3 years
Full course price
€33 · final price
45 min
Completion time
24/7
Online access anytime
HSA
Fully compliant
3 Years
Certificate validity
Agriculture focused
Asbestos Awareness Training for Irish farmers.
Asbestos cement was one of the most widely used building materials on Irish farms. For decades it was the standard choice for roof and wall sheets on barns, hay sheds, milking parlours and outbuildings, as well as for gutters, downpipes, flues and water tanks.
Many of those buildings are still in daily use, and the asbestos cement is now old, brittle and weathered. While it sits intact it poses little risk. The danger comes when it is cut, drilled, broken, power-washed or removed - all common jobs when farmers repair a roof, clear a shed or knock an old building.
Asbestos fibres are invisible and odourless, and there is no safe level of exposure. On the farm, the safest approach is to recognise asbestos cement and leave it undisturbed.
Our Asbestos Awareness Course is built around the realities of Irish farm buildings. It shows you where asbestos is found, why weathered sheets are a concern, and exactly what to do with STOP-CHECK-REPORT before you start any repair or demolition.
Farm hazards
Where asbestos hides on farm buildings.
Knowing where asbestos cement was used helps you avoid disturbing it on the farm.
Roof Sheets
Corrugated asbestos cement roof sheets on barns, sheds and parlours release fibres if cut, drilled or broken.
Wall Cladding
Asbestos cement cladding panels on the sides of older farm buildings and stores.
Gutters and Downpipes
Asbestos cement guttering and downpipes that crack and shed fibres as they weather.
Water Tanks and Flues
Old water storage tanks and flue pipes from heaters and boilers can contain asbestos.
Old Insulation
Lagging around old pipes, boilers and tanks in dairies and plant rooms can be highly friable.
Demolition and Clear-outs
Knocking or stripping old sheds is the highest-risk activity - always survey and plan first.
Why farmers need Asbestos Awareness Training
Farmers are practical people who carry out their own repairs. That hands-on approach is exactly why asbestos awareness matters - the person fixing a leaking roof sheet or clearing an old shed is often the same person most at risk of disturbing asbestos.
The diseases asbestos causes - mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening - can take decades to appear, so there is no immediate warning. A few minutes spent breaking up an old sheet today could cause serious harm many years later. Recognising the material and leaving it alone is the only safe response.
A weathered or broken asbestos cement sheet can release fibres into the air. If you suspect a material contains asbestos, do not disturb it - stop, check and report before any work continues.
High-risk jobs on the farm
The tasks most likely to disturb asbestos on a farm are repairs and demolition, not day-to-day livestock work. Take particular care with:
- Roof repairs - Replacing or patching asbestos cement roof sheets, or walking on fragile roofs.
- Cutting and drilling - Making fixings or openings in cement sheets and cladding.
- Power washing - Blasting weathered sheets, which spreads contaminated debris and fibres.
- Demolition and clear-outs - Knocking old sheds or stripping out flues, tanks and insulation.
Legal duties for farm employers
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Exposure to Asbestos Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006 and SI 589/2010), agricultural employers must:
- Identify asbestos - Know which farm buildings may contain asbestos before any work begins.
- Train your people - Provide asbestos awareness training to anyone who may disturb ACMs.
- Plan the work - Assess the risk and use safe systems of work.
- Use competent contractors - Higher-risk removal must go to trained or licensed contractors.
- Dispose correctly - Asbestos waste must be handled and disposed of through licensed routes.
Self-employed farmers should follow the same principles to protect themselves, their families and any seasonal workers they take on.
FAQs
Agricultural Asbestos Awareness questions.
Common questions from farmers and agricultural employers.
Why do farmers need Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos cement was used heavily on Irish farms, especially in roof sheets, cladding, gutters, downpipes, flues and old water tanks on barns, sheds and outbuildings. These materials are safe while intact, but break easily and release fibres when cut, drilled, broken or weathered. Awareness training helps farmers recognise these materials and avoid disturbing them during repairs or demolition.
Where is asbestos found on farm buildings?
The most common farm asbestos containing materials are asbestos cement roof and wall sheets on barns and sheds, gutters and downpipes, flues from old heaters, and water storage tanks. Older insulation around pipes and boilers can also contain asbestos. Damaged or weathered sheets are the biggest concern.
Can I complete this training during quiet periods?
Absolutely. The course is available 24/7 online and takes about 45 minutes. Many farmers complete it during winter months or quieter periods. You can pause and resume at any time - your progress saves automatically.
Can I remove asbestos cement sheets myself after this course?
No. Asbestos Awareness Training does not qualify you to remove or repair asbestos. It teaches you to recognise asbestos containing materials, avoid disturbing them and report them safely. Removing or disposing of asbestos cement should be planned carefully and, for higher-risk work, carried out by trained or licensed contractors.
Protect yourself on the farm.
Learn to recognise asbestos on your farm buildings and know exactly what to do before you repair or demolish.
Related pages
Explore more training resources.
Useful pages for farmers and agricultural workers across Ireland.
Coverage · Ireland nationwide
Asbestos Awareness Training, everywhere you work.
One CPD certified, RoSPA approved and IATP recognised Asbestos Awareness Course, aligned with the Exposure to Asbestos Regulations (SI 386/2006) - delivered online to every Irish city, every industry and every role. Instant Asbestos Awareness Certificate on passing, valid for 3 years nationwide.
Renewing? Use our fast Asbestos Awareness Refresher. Looking for IATP-recognised training? See our Asbestos Awareness IATP page. Need the basics first? Start with what asbestos actually is and the asbestos risk assessment.
Find your city
Every major Irish city has its own dedicated Asbestos Awareness Course page - the same accredited training, tuned to your local workforce.
Find your industry
Eight sector variants, from healthcare to farming, with real Irish workplace scenarios specific to your day-to-day.
Healthcare & HSE
Estates, maintenance and facilities teams in older hospitals and care homes, where lagging and asbestos insulating board are common.
Warehousing & logistics
Maintenance and fit-out crews in older industrial units with asbestos cement roofs, cladding and AIB panels.
Retail & supermarkets
Shop-fit and maintenance teams refurbishing older retail units where ACMs hide in ceilings, floors and ducts.
Construction & trades
Builders, carpenters, electricians and plumbers who can disturb hidden asbestos during refurbishment and repair.
Manufacturing
Engineering and maintenance staff working around lagging, gaskets and rope seals in older plants and factories.
Hospitality & catering
Maintenance and refurbishment teams in older hotels, pubs and kitchens where ACMs sit behind the scenes.
Office & administration
Facilities and fit-out teams in older offices with AIB ceilings, floor tiles, partitions and service ducts.
Agriculture & farming
Farmers and contractors handling asbestos cement roofs, sheds, water tanks, flues and old insulation.
Every Asbestos Awareness resource
Training, certification, refresher, online delivery and specialist guides - one accredited Irish platform, one consistent standard.
Asbestos Awareness Course
Full accredited syllabus aligned with SI 386/2006, video modules, short assessment and instant certificate - 45 minutes, any device.
Explore course
Asbestos Awareness Training
Why training matters, Irish employer duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010) (Asbestos Awareness Regulations), and what good training looks like.
Learn more
Asbestos Awareness Certificate
How the certificate is issued, how long it lasts, and how Irish employers verify it online at any time.
See certificate
Asbestos Awareness Online
Flexible online delivery on phone, tablet or desktop - the same accredited standard on any device.
Go online
Asbestos Awareness Refresher
Renew your Asbestos Awareness Cert in 45 minutes with the latest CAR 2006 and HSA guidance - verifiable for a fresh 3-year cycle.
Refresh now
Asbestos Awareness IATP
How IATP, CPD and RoSPA accreditation work together in Ireland - and what employers actually recognise for asbestos awareness.
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Popular Asbestos Awareness searches
Exact-match phrases Irish workers and employers search for - each one links to the right page on our site.
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