Asbestos Awareness for Cleaning and Caretaking Staff matters because the everyday work of a cleaner regularly brings them within inches of hidden asbestos-containing materials. Cleaning and caretaking staff move through every part of older buildings and can disturb damaged ACMs or, worse, sweep up asbestos debris. This guide explains where the risk hides in your work, the tasks most likely to disturb asbestos, and how to get certified quickly.
If you work on buildings built or refurbished before 2000, asbestos awareness is not optional - it is the knowledge that keeps a routine job from becoming a lifelong health problem.
Key takeaways
- If your work as a cleaner could disturb asbestos-containing materials, your employer is legally required to provide awareness training under CAR 2006, and self-employed cleaners should hold it too.
- Commonly damaged textured coatings shedding debris and floor tiles breaking up in traffic areas, among other materials in pre-2000 buildings.
- About 45 minutes online, with an accredited certificate available the moment you pass.
- No - awareness training helps you recognise and avoid asbestos.
Asbestos Awareness Course: the key facts
| Detail | What you get |
|---|---|
| Format | 100% online Asbestos Awareness Training - phone, tablet or laptop |
| Time to complete | Around 45 minutes, start and stop whenever you like |
| Price | EUR 35 per person, with bulk pricing for teams |
| Certificate | Download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate instantly on passing |
| Accreditation | CPD certified and RoSPA approved, aligned with CAR 2006 (SI 386/2006) |
| Valid for | Refresher recommended every 12 months by the HSA |
Why Cleaning and Caretaking Staff are at risk
The biggest cleaning risk is dealing with debris from damaged ACMs - sweeping or vacuuming asbestos dust sends fibres straight into the air. Caretakers also do small repairs that can disturb materials. That is why awareness training is built into a safe approach for every cleaner working on older buildings.
Asbestos materials a cleaner meets
The specific ACMs a cleaner is most likely to encounter include:
- Damaged textured coatings shedding debris
- Floor tiles breaking up in traffic areas
- Insulating board in cupboards and plant
- Asbestos cement soffits and panels
- Debris from any damaged ACM
Ready to get certified? Complete the Asbestos Awareness Course for Cleaning and Caretaking Staff online in about 45 minutes for EUR 35 and download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass.
High-risk tasks to watch
These common tasks are the ones most likely to disturb asbestos and release fibres:
- Cleaning areas with damaged ACMs
- Small caretaking repairs and fixings
- Clearing debris and spills
- Accessing cupboards and plant areas
A real-world scenario
A caretaker sweeps up debris from a cracked floor tile in an old corridor, not realising the tiles contain asbestos. The right response is always the same: STOP, do not disturb it further, and REPORT it - as covered in what to do if you suspect asbestos.
How Cleaning and Caretaking Staff get certified
The fastest route is the online Asbestos Awareness Training - around 45 minutes, on any device, with an instant certificate you can show on your next induction. Self-employed cleaners certify themselves; firms can train whole crews with bulk training.
What this course does and does not cover
This online course builds awareness and understanding. It helps you recognise asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), understand the health risks, and follow the correct STOP - CHECK - REPORT response if you suspect asbestos during your work.
It does not authorise you to remove, survey, test, sample or deliberately disturb asbestos. Licensed asbestos removal, asbestos surveying and air testing each require separate, specialist qualifications. Employers may still need to provide task-specific training, supervision and a written risk assessment before any work near ACMs begins.
Frequently asked questions
Do Cleaning and Caretaking Staff legally need asbestos awareness training?
If your work as a cleaner could disturb asbestos-containing materials, your employer is legally required to provide awareness training under CAR 2006, and self-employed cleaners should hold it too.
What asbestos might I find as a cleaner?
Commonly damaged textured coatings shedding debris and floor tiles breaking up in traffic areas, among other materials in pre-2000 buildings.
How long does the course take?
About 45 minutes online, with an accredited certificate available the moment you pass.
Does this training let me remove asbestos?
No - awareness training helps you recognise and avoid asbestos. Removal requires separate, specialist training and, for higher-risk work, a licence.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- What Not to Do If You Find Suspected Asbestos
- Asbestos Awareness for Maintenance Workers: Stay Safe on Site
- Asbestos Emergency Procedures: Accidental Disturbance
- Asbestos Awareness Training Ireland: The Complete 2026 Guide
Start your Asbestos Awareness Training today
Join thousands of workers across Ireland who train with Irish Asbestos Awareness. Get your Asbestos Awareness Certificate online from any device, or train your whole team with bulk certificates and central reporting.
