Asbestos Awareness Course

There is no safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres! Approximately one-third of all homes built in Australia contain asbestos products. As a general rule, if your house was built before the mid-1980s, it is highly likely that it would have some asbestos-containing materials. If asbestos is disturbed, it can release dangerous fine particles of dust containing asbestos fibres.

Breathing in dust containing asbestos fibres can cause asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer that most often occurs in the lining of the lung. There is no cure. The rates of malignant mesothelioma (an incurable cancer) are expected to rise from 2012 to 2020. Asbestos awareness training is essential for any worker in construction or related industries where asbestos-containing materials may be present.

This course is designed to teach your workers to understand the hazards and risks of asbestos and how to apply safe work practices.

• All workers who may be exposed to Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM);
• Health and Safety Representatives, Safety Advisors & Officers
• Building and Construction Workers, Supervisors and Managers
• Builders, carpenters, plasterers, painters, demolishers, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning workers, plumbers, electricians, gas fitters, building maintenance workers, disaster recovery personnel, insurance assessors etc
• Emergency Services Workers – Fire Fighters, Ambulance, Police etc.

• Understanding what is Asbestos
• History and Use of Asbestos
• Types of Asbestos
• Understanding the Health Effects of Exposure to Asbestos
• Identifying Typical Sources of Asbestos
• Identifying and Understanding WHS Legislation and its Application to Asbestos
• Managing Risk of Asbestos
• Understanding what is Asbestos Containing Materials (ACM) and Asbestos Work
• Understanding Competent Person, Labelling, Warning Signs, Registers, Asbestos Management Plans
• Understanding How to Safely Remove and Dispose of Asbestos
• Identifying when and what type of Licence is required to Safely Remove Asbestos
• Identifying appropriate Personal Protective Equipment

Participants 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.
• Contact us at 1300 647 200 if you have any concerns about your level of language literacy or numeracy.

What is the most significant danger associated with asbestos?

Asbestosis is a serious scarring condition of the lung that normally occurs after heavy exposure to asbestos over many years.

What are the three health issues caused by asbestos exposure?

If you breathe asbestos fibres, you may increase the risk of several serious diseases, including asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.