Asbestos Awareness Training in Ireland is the starting point for anyone whose job could disturb hidden asbestos-containing materials (ACMs). It will not teach you to remove or sample asbestos, but it will help you recognise where asbestos hides, understand why the fibres are so dangerous, and know exactly what to do the moment you suspect it. This guide walks you through everything: the law, the risks, who needs it and how to get certified.
Asbestos was used heavily across Irish buildings from the 1950s right up to its full ban in 1999, so any property built or refurbished before 2000 may still contain it. That makes awareness training a daily safety issue for trades, maintenance teams and site staff, not a tick-box exercise.
Key takeaways
- Yes.
- Most learners finish in about 45 minutes.
- Our online course is EUR 35 per person, with reduced bulk pricing for teams.
- The HSA recommends refreshing asbestos awareness at least every 12 months, or sooner if your role or the guidance changes.
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 |
What is Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos Awareness Training is a short, focused course that gives workers the knowledge to avoid accidentally disturbing asbestos. It covers the three main asbestos types found in Ireland, the products they were used in, the diseases caused by inhaling fibres, and the STOP - CHECK - REPORT response if you uncover a suspected ACM.
It is an information and awareness course. It is not a licence to work with asbestos. If your role involves deliberately working on ACMs, you need separate, specialist training and supervision on top of awareness.
Who needs Asbestos Awareness Training in Ireland?
Under CAR 2006 (the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006, SI 386/2006), employers must give awareness training to anyone whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos. In practice that includes:
- Construction, demolition and refurbishment workers
- Electricians, plumbers, carpenters, painters and roofers
- Maintenance, caretaking and facilities staff
- Building surveyors, architects and project managers
- Anyone drilling, cutting or accessing the fabric of older buildings
Ready to get certified? Complete the Asbestos Awareness Training online Ireland online in about 45 minutes for EUR 35 and download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass.
The law behind the training
Irish employers have a clear legal duty to protect workers from asbestos. CAR 2006 and the 2010 amendment (SI 589/2010) set out the requirement to identify ACMs, assess the risk and provide adequate information, instruction and training. These rules sit alongside the wider Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005. The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is the enforcing body and provides guidance on training expectations. Recent EU changes under Directive 2023/2668 are tightening exposure limits across member states, so keeping training current matters more than ever. For the detail, read our guide on asbestos regulations in Ireland.
What the online course covers
Our Asbestos Awareness Course is delivered fully online and takes around 45 minutes. You move through clear modules on identification, health effects, legal duties and emergency response, then complete a short assessment. Pass, and your Asbestos Awareness Certificate is ready to download immediately.
How to get certified
Getting certified is simple: register, work through the modules at your own pace on any device, pass the assessment and download your certificate. Teams can be enrolled in bulk with progress tracked centrally - useful for contractors who need to evidence training across a crew. Many learners renew with an Asbestos Awareness refresher every 12 months in line with HSA guidance.
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
Is online Asbestos Awareness Training accepted in Ireland?
Yes. For general awareness, online training that meets the information and instruction requirements of CAR 2006 is widely accepted by Irish employers and main contractors. Tasks that involve actually working on asbestos require additional, specialist training.
How long does the training take?
Most learners finish in about 45 minutes. You can pause and resume on any device, so it fits around site work and shifts.
How much does Asbestos Awareness Training cost in Ireland?
Our online course is EUR 35 per person, with reduced bulk pricing for teams. The price includes the assessment and the downloadable certificate.
How often should awareness training be refreshed?
The HSA recommends refreshing asbestos awareness at least every 12 months, or sooner if your role or the guidance changes.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- Asbestos Awareness Course Ireland: What You Need to Know
- Asbestos Awareness Certificate Online Ireland: How to Get Yours
- Is Asbestos Awareness Training Required in Ireland?
- Asbestos Awareness for Construction Workers: Stay Safe on Site
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.
