Asbestos Awareness IATP: independently approved asbestos training.

What is IATP and why does it matter?

IATP stands for Independent Asbestos Training Providers. It is a recognised membership and approval body, made up of asbestos training organisations, that sets and checks standards for asbestos training. When you see a course described as IATP approved, it means the syllabus, learning outcomes and assessment have been reviewed against an asbestos-specific benchmark - not simply written and signed off by the provider alone.

That independent approval matters because asbestos is the single biggest cause of work-related deaths in Ireland and the UK. The fibres are invisible and odourless, there is no safe level of exposure, and the diseases they cause can take decades to appear. With stakes that high, you want training that has been checked by people who understand asbestos - which is exactly what IATP approval provides.

Who should take IATP approved Asbestos Awareness Training?

Asbestos Awareness Training is for anyone whose work could disturb the fabric of a building, plant or structure built or refurbished before the year 2000. The following groups benefit most from our IATP approved Asbestos Awareness Course:

• Construction and demolition workers - Drilling, cutting, stripping out and demolishing older buildings
• Maintenance and refurbishment workers - Contractors working on the fabric of older premises
• Electricians, plumbers and heating engineers - Working in risers, ceiling voids and around old pipe lagging
• Carpenters, joiners, painters and decorators - Disturbing insulating board, textured coatings and old fixtures
• Roofers and cabling installers - Handling asbestos cement sheets, cladding, flues and panels
• Facilities, caretaking and housing maintenance staff - Managing and maintaining older buildings
• Surveyors, architects and building managers - Inspecting older properties before works begin

IATP approval is your sign that an asbestos course has been independently checked. Paired with CPD accreditation, RoSPA approval and CAR 2006 compliance, it is everything an employer needs to see.

What our IATP approved course covers

Our online Asbestos Awareness Course covers all the essential knowledge needed to recognise asbestos, avoid disturbing it and report it safely:

1. What asbestos is - The types of asbestos, how it was used and why the fibres are so dangerous
2. Health risks - Mesothelioma, asbestos-related lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural disease, and why there is no safe level of exposure
3. Identifying ACMs - Where asbestos is commonly found, from lagging and insulating board to cement and floor tiles
4. The asbestos register and survey - How to check what is present before any work starts
5. STOP-CHECK-REPORT - Exactly what to do, and what not to do, if you find or suspect asbestos
6. PPE and RPE basics - The role of FFP3 masks, Type 5 coveralls and decontamination
7. Legal duties - Your rights and your employer's duties under Irish asbestos law
8. Assessment - A short online test to confirm your understanding, with an instant certificate

Employer recognition

Our certificates are accepted by employers throughout Ireland because the course is IATP approved, CPD accredited, RoSPA approved and CAR 2006 compliant, meeting HSA expectations for asbestos awareness information, instruction and training. The certificate shows that the holder has:

• Completed comprehensive, independently approved Asbestos Awareness Training
• Passed an assessment demonstrating understanding
• Received certification from an approved provider
• Met their legal training obligation under Irish asbestos law

Each certificate includes a unique verification code that employers can check to confirm authenticity and validity.

How IATP approval works alongside other accreditations

Quality asbestos training is usually backed by more than one independent mark. Understanding what each one means helps you see why our course is trusted:

IATP - Independent Asbestos Training Providers

IATP is asbestos-specific. Its approval focuses entirely on whether asbestos training content is accurate, current and fit for purpose. Because it is dedicated to asbestos, IATP approval carries real weight with employers, contractors and recruitment agencies who want confidence in the subject matter.

CPD - Continuing Professional Development

CPD accreditation confirms the course represents genuine, structured learning that can count towards your professional development hours. For safety officers, supervisors and many trades, CPD-recognised training is a valued addition to your record.

RoSPA - Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

RoSPA is an internationally recognised safety organisation that reviews and approves training programmes. RoSPA approval signals that the course meets rigorous standards for health and safety education and is respected across Ireland and the UK.

IATP approval and the law in Ireland

In Ireland, the legal requirement for asbestos awareness training comes from the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 (SI 386/2006, SI 589/2010), enforced by the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). Employers must ensure that anyone liable to disturb asbestos containing materials receives adequate information, instruction and training.

IATP approval does not replace these legal duties - it supports them. By choosing an IATP approved, CAR 2006 compliant course, you meet your legal obligation and have independent assurance that the content is genuinely fit for purpose. It is the best of both: legal compliance and trusted quality.

Choosing IATP approved Asbestos Awareness Training

When comparing asbestos awareness courses, look for these signs of quality:

1. IATP approved - Independent, asbestos-specific approval of the course content
2. CAR 2006 compliant - Meets the requirements set out in Irish asbestos regulations
3. Additional accreditation - CPD accreditation and RoSPA approval add further assurance
4. Verifiable certificate - A unique code employers can check online
5. Clear limits - The course should be honest that awareness training does not permit removal or higher-risk work

Our Asbestos Awareness Course meets every one of these criteria. It is the right choice for the vast majority of Asbestos Awareness Training needs in Ireland, giving you independently approved, legally compliant training that employers trust.