Asbestos Awareness Training

The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 requires that a business must ensure, they provide any information, training, instruction or supervision that is necessary to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from their work.

Asbestos Awareness training is one of these topics where a worker may work on or near to asbestos containing material. Asbestos exposure can be dangerous to workers and others when released into the air and breathed in.

This is one of the courses from our suite of health and safety courses we have on offer being delivered by one of our safety consultants. Training is a key element of the businesses safety management system

Asbestos Awareness Training Overview

This Asbestos Awareness training is a non-accredited introductory course designed to provide an awareness and overview of asbestos, how to identify it and how it should be managed.

For workers in the Australian Capital Territory, WorkSafe ACT mandates that you must complete a specific awareness course called “10675NAT Course in Asbestos Awareness”.

A person conducting a business or undertaking must ensure that any worker who the person conducting a business or undertaking reasonably believes will work near or with asbestos or asbestos containing material must complete training in asbestos awareness.

There is no definition of what ‘reasonably believes’ means, however it is commonly used in legislation. It is based on what is reasonable in the circumstances.

When in doubt whether a worker may work with asbestos or be exposed to asbestos fibers, it is better to ensure the worker is trained in asbestos awareness.

You cannot tell whether building materials contain asbestos just by looking at them. Asbestos awareness training is provided by a Safety Consultant who is familiar with the uses of Asbestos in Australia.

Participants will be taken through various locations or items that may contain asbestos making this training essential for any worker in construction or related industries where asbestos containing material may be present.

If you need to work in environments where asbestos may be present, attending this course will assist you to identify materials likely to contain asbestos.

The Safety Consultant will discuss the safety requirements for working with both friable and non-friable asbestos.

If you are researching more information on training in this topic please consider the Australian Government Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency as an accredited source.

Asbestos was a common material used in homes built or renovated before 1987. At least 1 in 3 Australian homes contained asbestos including brick, weatherboard, fibro and clad homes.

With asbestos deemed a hazardous material, it is important that awareness of what asbestos looks like and where it was used is communicated effectively.

There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres and if disturbed can release dangerous fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres.

This training is especially helpful to Health and Safety Representatives to better understand the legislation so that they can assist Management to develop strategies to protect workers.

Course Inclusions

We supply all equipment necessary for you to undertake training, with face-to-face training conducted by experienced Safety Consultants.

Each Trainee Must

• Be at least 16 years of age.

• Have at least a Year 10 level of numeracy, literacy and communication skills.

• Have the ability to read and write English.

A List Of Probable Businesses To Complete Asbestos Awareness Training..

• Workers who enter ceiling cavities
• Insulation installers
• Pest spray operators
• Air-conditioning installers
• Maintenance and repair workers
• Solar panel providers
• Electricians
• Plumbers
• Carpenters and joiners
• Plasterers
• Painters and decorators
• Gas fitters
• Demolition workers
• Floor finishers
• Emergency services workers
• Building and construction workers in general

Asbestos Awareness Course Outline

• Identifying relevant OHS/WHS legislation that applies to asbestos.
• Explaining what asbestos is and where is it has commonly been used.
• Identifying likely asbestos containing material.
• Knowing health effects of exposure to asbestos.
• Identifying when a license is required when removing asbestos.
• Describing the safety requirements of working with asbestos.

Who Needs Asbestos Awareness Training?

Asbestos awareness training is mandatory for anyone whose normal work duties present a reasonable likelihood of disturbing or coming into contact with asbestos.

Examples include:

• workers who enter ceiling cavities (such as insulation installers; pest spray operators; air-conditioning installers; maintenance and repair workers; solar panel providers)

• electricians; plumbers; carpenters and joiners; plasterers; painters and decorators; gas fitters; demolition workers; floor finishers
• emergency services workers
• building and construction workers.

What Is Covered In This Asbestos Awareness Training?

Asbestos awareness training gives workers and supervisors the knowledge they need to identify and work safely with asbestos or asbestos containing material.

The purpose of asbestos awareness training is to ensure workers understand where asbestos might be found and what steps to take to stay safe.

This Asbestos Awareness Training provides Information On:

• identification, safe handling and appropriate control measures
• asbestos containing materials (ACMs)
• naturally occurring asbestos
• loose fill asbestos (raw asbestos crushed into a fine state and installed as insulation).

Do I need To Provide Asbestos Awareness Training?

If you are an employer or business (or other PCBU), you are responsible for

• giving workers appropriate information and instruction about the risks and controls necessary to do their work safely.
• determining the right training for each worker.

The Following Units Of Competency Are Available Through A Registered Training Organisation (RTO):

• CPCCDE3014A Remove non-friable asbestos
• CPCCDE3015A Remove friable asbestos
• CPCCBC4051A Supervise asbestos removal.

This Asbestos Awareness training is for workers carrying out asbestos-related work (non-removal) as they must be trained in identifying asbestos and safe handling and suitable control measures for working with asbestos.