Asbestos Awareness
Help your team recognize potential asbestos-containing materials, understand asbestos exposure hazards, and know what to do before suspect material is disturbed. This approximately four-hour in-person course is offered as private group training for construction, renovation, maintenance, property-management, and contractor teams.
Recognize Asbestos Hazards Before Disturbing the Material
Asbestos Awareness training gives participants the foundational knowledge needed to recognize where asbestos-containing material, or ACM, may be encountered, understand why disturbing asbestos can be dangerous, and know what to do when suspected asbestos is identified.
Asbestos was historically used in many building and construction products, including insulation, fireproofing, ceiling and flooring materials, cement products, plaster, textured finishes, and other older building materials. Workers cannot reliably determine whether a material contains asbestos simply by looking at it.
When asbestos-containing material is disturbed, hazardous fibres can become airborne and may be inhaled. Work such as cutting, drilling, sanding, grinding, breaking, renovation, demolition, or maintenance can create exposure risks when asbestos-containing material is present.
Ontario's O. Reg. 278/05 classifies asbestos operations as Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. This course introduces those classifications at an awareness level so participants understand that asbestos work is regulated and that the required measures and procedures depend on the work being performed.
If suspected asbestos-containing material is encountered, the key response is to stop disturbing the material, stop the affected work, and follow the workplace's asbestos procedures so the material and required controls can be assessed before work continues.
Our Asbestos Awareness course is general awareness training. It does not automatically qualify workers to remove asbestos, perform asbestos abatement, perform every Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 operation, or satisfy the additional prescribed training requirements that apply to Type 3 asbestos work.
Course Topics and Learning Outcomes
Build the practical awareness needed to recognize potential asbestos hazards, understand how exposure can occur, and respond appropriately when suspect materials are encountered at work.
Recognize Asbestos Hazards
Understand what asbestos is, why airborne fibres are hazardous, and why exposure must be controlled.
Identify Suspect Materials
Recognize common building materials and work situations where asbestos-containing material may be encountered.
Understand Exposure Risks
Understand how disturbing asbestos-containing materials can release fibres and create an inhalation hazard.
Understand Ontario Work Classifications
Recognize that asbestos work is classified as Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 and that different controls apply depending on the work being performed.
Respond to Suspected Asbestos
Know when to stop work, avoid further disturbance, and report suspected asbestos through the appropriate workplace process.
Understand Training Limits
Understand the difference between general asbestos awareness and the specific instruction, procedures, and training required to perform regulated asbestos operations.
Who This Course Is For
This course is intended for workers, supervisors, contractors, and building personnel whose normal duties may bring them into contact with or accidentally disturb suspected asbestos-containing material, particularly during work in existing or older buildings.
- Construction Workers
- Renovation & Demolition Workers
- Building Maintenance Personnel
- Electricians
- Plumbers & Mechanical Trades
- HVAC Technicians
- Property & Facility-Management Staff
- Supervisors & Contractors Working in Existing Buildings
Training Your Team?
Asbestos Awareness is offered as private group training for workplaces, crews, contractors, and organizations. Contact us to discuss your group, training needs, and scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers about who this training is for, how private group training works, what to do when suspect asbestos is found, the limits of awareness training, and StartSafe certificate validity.
Should I take Asbestos Awareness training?
This course is useful for workers, supervisors, contractors, and building personnel who may encounter or accidentally disturb suspected asbestos-containing material during construction, renovation, maintenance, demolition, or repair work.
How do I arrange Asbestos Awareness training?
Asbestos Awareness is currently offered as private group training only, with a maximum of 12 participants. Use the Request Group Training option to tell us about your group and scheduling needs.
Does Asbestos Awareness training qualify me to remove asbestos?
No. This is general awareness training and does not qualify a worker to perform asbestos removal or abatement. Regulated asbestos operations require specific instruction and training, and Type 3 workers and supervisors have additional prescribed training requirements.
What should I do if I think I’ve found asbestos at work?
Stop disturbing the material, stop the affected work, and notify the appropriate supervisor or employer. The material and required work procedures should be assessed before the work continues.
How long is my StartSafe certificate valid?
StartSafe's Asbestos Awareness certificate of completion is valid for 1 year under our internal course standard. Ontario does not establish a universal one-year expiry period for general asbestos-awareness training.
Related Training & Fit Testing
Explore additional training and fit-testing services related to respiratory protection, hazardous products, and foundational workplace safety.
