What is Asbestos Awareness Training, and why does everyone working in older buildings keep being told to do it? In short, it is a course that teaches you to recognise asbestos, understand its dangers and respond safely - so you never disturb it by accident. This guide explains it simply.
It is the foundation of working safely around one of the most dangerous materials still hidden in Irish buildings.
Key takeaways
- No.
- Around 45 minutes online.
- Anyone whose work could disturb asbestos-containing materials in older buildings.
- Yes, an accredited certificate is issued the moment you pass the assessment.
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 |
The simple definition
Asbestos Awareness Training is information and instruction that helps workers avoid disturbing asbestos. It is not training to handle or remove asbestos - it is training to recognise it and stay clear of it.
What it teaches
- What asbestos is and the three main types
- Where ACMs are commonly found in buildings
- The health risks of inhaling fibres
- The legal duties around asbestos
- The STOP - CHECK - REPORT response
Ready to get certified? Complete the Start Asbestos Awareness Training online in about 45 minutes for EUR 35 and download your Asbestos Awareness Certificate the moment you pass.
Who it is for
Anyone who could disturb ACMs - trades, maintenance, demolition, refurbishment and survey staff. If you open up the fabric of a pre-2000 building, it is for you.
How to take it
The easiest route is the online Asbestos Awareness Training, about 45 minutes with an instant certificate. For the Ireland-specific detail, read Asbestos Awareness Training Ireland.
Why it matters so much
Asbestos is unusual among workplace hazards because it is invisible, odourless and slow to harm. You cannot see, smell or feel the fibres, and the diseases they cause - asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma - often appear twenty to forty years after exposure, when it is far too late to undo. That long delay is exactly why awareness training matters: it replaces a dangerous false sense of safety with the knowledge to stop before damage is done. A single uncontrolled disturbance of an asbestos-containing material can release fibres that no one notices at the time, which is why recognising and avoiding ACMs in the first place is the whole point of the course.
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 awareness training the same as removal training?
No. Awareness teaches you to recognise and avoid asbestos; removal is a separate, licensed activity with its own training.
How long does it take?
Around 45 minutes online.
Who needs it?
Anyone whose work could disturb asbestos-containing materials in older buildings.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes, an accredited certificate is issued the moment you pass the assessment.
Related Asbestos Awareness guides
- What Is an Asbestos Awareness Course?
- Asbestos Awareness Training Ireland: The Complete 2026 Guide
- Is Asbestos Awareness Training Required in Ireland?
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.
