Asbestos Awareness Course (Category A)

Duration 2 hours

Last audited 29th February 2024

CPD Approved RoSPA Approved IATP Approved Mesothelioma UK Logo
Asbestos Awareness (Category A)
For me
For teams
  • 100% online training

  • Start when you like

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

  • Instant assessment and result

  • 1 learner per course

  • Train teams of all sizes

  • Bulk discounts starting at 10% off 10 courses

  • Learn on any device (desktop, mobile or tablet)

£25 +VAT

include vat

Includes a 10% discount for 10+ courses

Asbestos is an extremely harmful substance that can cause serious consequences to the health of anyone who disturbs or damages it. Historic exposure to airborne asbestos fibres is the single largest cause of death to workers in the UK. For this reason, all workers who may come across asbestos or asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) must be trained so that they can work safely. This includes accidental discovery of asbestos and accidental damage to asbestos and ACMs.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the dangers of working with asbestos. By taking our training, you will understand how to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012). It’s essential to understand what asbestos is and where you may encounter it, the dangers associated with asbestos exposure and what to do if you discover asbestos. This knowledge will help you or your team to stay safe around asbestos.

100% online training

Access anywhere

Same day digital certificate

Printed certificate posted next working day

Full audio voiceover

Unlimited assessment attempts

Written in compliance with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the supporting Approved Code of Practice

Developed by health and safety professionals

Approved by IATP - widely accepted equivalent to UKATA

Accredited by CPD and assured by RoSPA Qualifications

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Recognise the serious health effects of exposure to asbestos.
  • Recognise the different types and uses of asbestos and where it is now most likely to be present.
  • Explain why asbestos and asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) pose a serious risk to health.
  • Describe the general control measures that need to be in place to control the risk of accidental exposure to asbestos fibres from ACMs.
  • Explain the key steps to take in the event of discovery of suspect materials or the accidental disturbance of ACMs.


Training you can trust

IATP Certification

Whilst our course is approved by IATP our certificates do not display the IATP logo. If you require a certificate with the IATP logo printed on it please let us know and we will send you a digital copy on request.

Course in action

Why take this course?

Every year in the UK over 5,000 people die from asbestos-related diseases. The risk of serious ill health is increased when workers who may potentially disturb asbestos during their work have not received the correct level of information, instruction and training to enable them to carry out their work safely and without risk to themselves or others.

Employers have a legal responsibility to protect their employees from getting hurt or ill through work activities and/or the work environment. Failure to comply with your duties and responsibilities as an employer may result in action being taken against you by the HSE or other enforcement agencies. By taking our Asbestos Awareness Category A training course, you will learn how to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.

Employees, whose work could accidentally disturb asbestos, may be at risk of ill health if the risks are not managed effectively. Employers must provide employees with information, instruction, and training suitable to the work that they are carrying out. This will ensure they understand the controls in place and know how to avoid disturbing asbestos during their work, helping to protect the health and safety of themselves and others. By taking our Asbestos Awareness Category A training course, employees will learn about the serious ill-health effects that asbestos exposure can have, so they recognise the importance of following training. The course will explain the common asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) that are in many types of buildings, and how to avoid disturbing these during work activities.

  • Course Content
  • Assessment
  • Suitable for

Module 1: The Risks from Asbestos

This module explores what asbestos looks like, where it can be found, and why asbestos is so dangerous to health. This includes information on asbestos-related diseases and friability, along with covering how people can be exposed to asbestos.

Module 2: Managing and Controlling the Risk of Exposure

This module explains the main requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012), asbestos risk assessments and how to raise safety concerns.

Module 3: Discovery or Accidental Disturbance of Asbestos

This module covers the appropriate steps to take if asbestos or ACMs are suspected, discovered or accidentally disturbed during work. It also explains emergency procedures.

After completing the four modules, you will be invited to take the course assessment. This is made up of 15 questions and will test the knowledge you have gained from your training. The questions are multiple choice and are marked automatically, so you will instantly know whether you have passed. The pass mark for the assessment is 80% and you can take it as many times as you need to with no extra charge.

Our accredited Asbestos Awareness (Category A) course is designed for anybody who may accidentally encounter asbestos as part of their work. This includes the following job roles:

  • Electricians
  • Heating engineers
  • Ventilation engineers
  • Carpenters and joiners
  • Roofers
  • Plasterers
  • Construction workers
  • Demolition workers
  • Plumbers
  • Painters and decorators
  • General maintenance workers

The HSE recognises online training as a viable learning method for Asbestos Awareness training. However, Asbestos Awareness training alone does not allow you to work with asbestos or conduct asbestos removal. Workers who plan to carry out work that will disturb asbestos or ACMs require a higher level of training, in addition to Asbestos Awareness.

Frequently asked questions

Can this training course help me apply for SSIP accreditations like CHAS and SMAS?

Yes, our Asbestos Awareness (Category A) course can act as evidence of industry-related training for accreditation applications, such as CHAS. It covers the requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the supporting Approved Code of Practice, which will help you understand how to fulfil the legal duties they set out. Knowledge of these topics form part of the training requirements set out by accreditation assessment bodies, so you must be able to demonstrate evidence of compliance in order for your application to be successful. Our course will contribute to the evidence you must provide during your application, to show that you have received the relevant training.


Please note that it will be down to each individual accreditation body to decide if our courses are sufficient for the training requirements of your specific business. This evidence only forms one part of your overall application process. It is up to you to prove you are fulfilling your legal duties and to supply sufficient evidence for everything the accrediting body requires in order for your application to be successful.


Is this Asbestos Training accredited?

Yes, our Asbestos Awareness course has been accredited by CPD and the IATP. It is also assured by RoSPA Qualifications.


Is this course UKATA accredited?

No, our course has not been accredited by UKATA, but it does follow the same syllabus as any UKATA accredited course. Instead of UKATA accreditation, it is accredited by IATP - a not-for-profit organisation working directly with the HSE.


Does this course qualify me to remove asbestos?

No. This is an Asbestos Awareness Category A course that teaches you how to recognise common asbestos containing materials and what to do to avoid disturbing asbestos, but does not qualify you to remove it.


What does Category A mean?

Category A Asbestos Training is for workers who may potentially be exposed to asbestos in the course of their work but who are required to avoid any work that may disturb asbestos containing materials (ACMs). If your work involves activities that will disturb asbestos, you will need a higher category of training than this course provides.


Course reviews