Asbestos Awareness E-Learning

Module 1: Introduction to Asbestos
• What is asbestos?
• Properties and characteristics of asbestos
• Why asbestos was widely used
• Historical uses of asbestos
• Common industries and occupations associated with asbestos
• Asbestos-containing materials (ACMs)
• Why asbestos remains a workplace concern
• Importance of asbestos awareness

Module 2: Types of Asbestos
• Overview of asbestos types
• Chrysotile (white asbestos)
• Amosite (brown asbestos)
• Crocidolite (blue asbestos)
• Common characteristics of asbestos fibres
• Where different asbestos types may have been used
• Understanding asbestos-containing materials

Module 3: Health Risks Associated with Asbestos
• How asbestos exposure occurs
• Inhalation of asbestos fibres
• Why asbestos fibres are hazardous
• Short-term and long-term exposure considerations
• Asbestos-related diseases
• Asbestosis
• Mesothelioma
• Lung cancer
• Other asbestos-related health effects
• Importance of preventing exposure

Module 4: Where Asbestos May Be Found
• Asbestos in older buildings
• Building materials that may contain asbestos
• Roofing and external materials
• Insulation materials
• Cement products
• Floor tiles and flooring materials
• Ceiling materials
• Wall and partition materials
• Pipe insulation
• Electrical and fire-resistant materials
• Plant and equipment
• Importance of checking asbestos information before work begins

Module 5: Identifying Asbestos-Containing Materials
• Recognising materials that may contain asbestos
• Understanding visual identification limitations
• Why asbestos cannot always be identified by appearance alone
• Asbestos surveys and registers
• Labelling and warning signs
• Checking available asbestos information
• When specialist assessment may be required
• Importance of never assuming a material is asbestos-free
Important: Visual identification alone cannot reliably confirm whether a material contains asbestos. Where necessary, appropriate assessment and sampling must be carried out by competent persons.

Module 6: Asbestos Risk Assessment
• Understanding asbestos-related risks
• Identifying potential sources of exposure
• Assessing the likelihood of exposure
• Identifying who may be at risk
• Considering the condition of materials
• Assessing planned work activities
• Control measures
• Importance of asbestos surveys and information
• Reviewing and updating risk assessments

Module 7: Preventing Asbestos Exposure
• Principles of exposure prevention
• Avoiding disturbance of asbestos-containing materials
• Following workplace procedures
• Access restrictions and controlled areas
• Appropriate signage and warnings
• Use of competent contractors
• Personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) awareness
• Good housekeeping practices
• Prohibited or unsafe work practices
• Importance of following the control plan

Module 8: Working Around Asbestos
• What to do before starting work
• Checking asbestos registers and available information
• Understanding the asbestos management plan
• Safe working procedures
• Preventing damage to ACMs
• Avoiding drilling, cutting, sanding or disturbing suspect materials
• Managing maintenance activities
• Responsibilities of employees and contractors
• When to stop work
• When specialist advice is required

Module 9: Accidental Disturbance & Emergency Procedures
• What to do if asbestos is suspected
• What to do if an ACM is accidentally damaged
• Stop-work procedures
• Preventing further exposure
• Restricting access to affected areas
• Reporting incidents
• Informing supervisors or responsible persons
• Dealing with potential contamination
• Importance of following emergency procedures
• Specialist assessment and clean-up requirements

Module 10: Asbestos Management & Workplace Responsibilities
• The importance of an asbestos management system
• Asbestos registers
• Asbestos surveys
• Management plans
• Employee responsibilities
• Employer responsibilities
• Contractor responsibilities
• Communication of asbestos risks
• Training and information requirements
• Monitoring and review
• Maintaining appropriate records

Final Assessment
Assessment Structure
• Multiple-choice assessment
• 25 questions
• Questions covering the key principles of asbestos awareness, risks, identification, prevention and workplace responsibilities

Pass Mark
70%

This course is suitable for individuals who may encounter asbestos-containing materials through their work, including:

• Employees working in older buildings
• Maintenance personnel
• Facilities Management staff
• Construction workers
• Contractors
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Carpenters
• Painters and decorators
• Building maintenance personnel
• Property managers
• Supervisors
• Site managers
• Facilities managers
• Employers and business owners
• Individuals responsible for workplace safety

The course is particularly relevant to individuals whose work could bring them into contact with buildings, structures, equipment or materials that may contain asbestos.

Protecting Workers
Awareness of asbestos risks helps workers recognise potential hazards and avoid unnecessary exposure.

Preventing Exposure
Understanding where asbestos may be found helps employees take appropriate precautions before beginning work.

Supporting Compliance
Appropriate asbestos awareness training supports organisations in managing workplace risks and meeting relevant health and safety responsibilities.

Reducing Workplace Risk
Clear procedures and informed employees can reduce the likelihood of accidental disturbance of asbestos-containing materials.

Promoting Safety Awareness
Effective asbestos awareness helps create a workplace culture where employees understand when to stop work and seek appropriate advice.

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand what asbestos is and why it was widely used
• Recognise the main types of asbestos
• Understand the health risks associated with asbestos exposure
• Identify locations and materials where asbestos may potentially be found
• Understand the limitations of visual identification
• Recognise the importance of asbestos surveys and registers
• Understand basic asbestos-related risk assessment principles
• Identify ways to prevent accidental exposure
• Understand appropriate workplace control measures
• Recognise unsafe activities that may disturb ACMs
• Understand what to do if asbestos is suspected or accidentally disturbed
• Understand employee, employer and contractor responsibilities
• Support a safer approach to working in environments where asbestos may be present

Self-Paced Online Learning
• Interactive e-learning modules
• Knowledge checks throughout
• Practical workplace scenarios
• Multiple-choice final assessment
• Flexible online access

Delivery Method
Online E-Learning
Learners can complete the course remotely at a time that suits them.

Failure Handling
If unsuccessful, learners may:
• Review the course modules
• Revisit key learning areas
• Retake the assessment up to 3 attempts

The course can introduce learners to the Irish legal and regulatory framework surrounding asbestos and workplace safety, including relevant requirements concerning:

• Health and safety at work
• Management of workplace risks
• Asbestos-containing materials
• Employer responsibilities
• Employee responsibilities
• Information, instruction and training
• Risk assessment
• Safe systems of work
• Management of asbestos in workplaces

For an Irish version of the course, the specific legislation and guidance should be checked against the current requirements of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) before publication, particularly where the course makes claims about legal duties or specific asbestos work categories.

Samson Training delivers professional workplace training focused on practical awareness, risk reduction and organisational compliance.

Our approach emphasises:

• Practical asbestos awareness
• Workplace risk reduction
• Hazard identification
• Safe working practices
• Compliance-focused learning
• Employee responsibilities
• Prevention of accidental exposure
• Safety culture and continuous improvement

The course is designed to help organisations ensure that relevant employees understand the risks associated with asbestos and the importance of preventing exposure.

What is Asbestos Awareness Training?
Asbestos Awareness Training provides learners with knowledge of asbestos, where it may be encountered, the health risks associated with exposure and the precautions required to prevent accidental exposure.

Who should complete Asbestos Awareness Training?
The course is suitable for anyone whose work could bring them into contact with asbestos-containing materials, particularly maintenance, construction, facilities, property and contractor personnel.

Does this course allow me to remove asbestos?
No. Asbestos Awareness Training is an awareness course. It does not qualify a learner to remove, repair or carry out licensed or specialist asbestos work.

Can asbestos be identified by looking at it?
Not reliably. Many asbestos-containing materials cannot be confirmed through visual inspection alone. Appropriate asbestos information, surveys or specialist assessment may be required.

What should I do if I discover suspected asbestos?
Stop work, avoid disturbing the material, prevent unnecessary access to the area and report the situation through the appropriate workplace procedure.

Can this course be completed online?
Yes. The training is designed for self-paced online learning and can be completed remotely.

Is Asbestos Awareness Training relevant to maintenance workers?
Yes. Maintenance and building-related activities can potentially disturb asbestos-containing materials, particularly in older buildings. Awareness training helps workers recognise potential risks and understand when work should stop.

Does the course cover asbestos removal?
No. The focus is on awareness, prevention and risk reduction, not asbestos removal or specialist asbestos-handling techniques.