Guidance · Reviewed October 2026
Who needs asbestos training, the three levels HSE describes, what each should cover, how often to refresh it and how to choose a course. Checked against HSE guidance and the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012.
The short answer
Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires employers to give adequate information, instruction and training to every employee who is, or is liable to be, exposed to asbestos. The level depends on the work: asbestos awareness for people who could disturb it by accident, non-licensable work training for people who deliberately work on lower-risk materials, and licensable work training for employees of HSE-licensed contractors.
Why asbestos training matters
HSE describes asbestos as the greatest cause of work-related deaths in Great Britain, with around 5,000 deaths a year from diseases including mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis.
Any building built or refurbished before 2000 could contain asbestos, and it cannot reliably be identified by eye. The people most at risk are those who work on the fabric of buildings and may disturb it without realising. Training is how they learn to recognise the risk and stop before they create it.
The three levels of asbestos training
HSE describes three types of training. Choose by the work people actually do, not by their job title.
Asbestos awareness
For workers and supervisors whose work could disturb the fabric of a building. HSE says it is intended to give them the information they need to avoid work that may disturb asbestos. It does not prepare anyone to work on asbestos.
Non-licensable work
For workers whose job requires them to disturb asbestos-containing materials, such as drilling holes in asbestos materials or working on asbestos cement, under controlled conditions and without a licence.
Licensable work
Most work with higher-risk materials must be carried out by HSE-licensed contractors. Their employees need full training, face-fit testing for respiratory protective equipment and medical surveillance before starting.
Awareness is not permission to work on asbestos
Asbestos awareness training teaches people to recognise and avoid asbestos. Anyone whose work will deliberately disturb asbestos-containing materials needs non-licensable or licensable work training, plus the right equipment and controls.
Which training do you need?
| If you need to… | Usual route |
|---|---|
| Work in older buildings, as a tradesperson, maintenance worker or supervisor, without disturbing asbestos | Asbestos awareness course (classroom) or online |
| Keep awareness knowledge current | Asbestos awareness refresher |
| Carry out non-licensed work, such as drilling or removing asbestos cement under controlled conditions | Asbestos non-licensed operative course, then the annual refresher |
| Manage asbestos in buildings you are responsible for | Duty to manage asbestos (classroom) or online, plus the refresher |
| Remove higher-risk asbestos | Employment with an HSE-licensed contractor. See asbestos removal |
| Survey buildings for asbestos | BOHS P402, plus field experience. See asbestos surveys |
Who needs asbestos awareness training?
Anyone whose work could disturb the fabric of a building built or refurbished before 2000. That commonly includes:
Electricians
Plumbers and gas fitters
Heating and ventilation engineers
Joiners and carpenters
Plasterers
Painters and decorators
Roofers
General maintenance staff
Demolition and construction workers
Fire and burglar alarm installers
Telecoms and data cabling engineers
Shopfitters
Architects and building surveyors
Supervisors and site managers
Duty holders and facilities managers also need training aimed at managing asbestos, rather than at hands-on work. See the duty to manage asbestos.
What asbestos awareness training covers
A good awareness course should cover:
- the properties of asbestos and its effects on health, including the much greater risk of lung cancer for people who smoke and are exposed to asbestos
- the types of asbestos, how they were used and where they are likely to be found in buildings
- how to avoid the risks from asbestos, and why you should never start work if you suspect it is present
- what to do in an emergency, such as an accidental disturbance
- the duties of employers, employees and duty holders under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012
Non-licensable work training goes further, covering safe working methods, control measures, respiratory protective equipment, decontamination and how to package and dispose of asbestos waste.
How often should asbestos training be refreshed?
| Training | What HSE says |
|---|---|
| Asbestos awareness | There is no legal requirement to repeat a full formal awareness course every 12 months. Many employers still use a regular refresher to keep knowledge current. |
| Non-licensable and licensable work | Refresher training should be provided every year, or more often if work methods change. |
How to choose an asbestos training course
Match the level to the work
Awareness for people who must avoid asbestos, non-licensable training for people who work on it. Managers need a course aimed at the duty to manage.
Check it reflects the 2012 regulations
Course content should be based on the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and HSE’s current guidance, not older rules.
Classroom, online or on site
Practical non-licensable training needs hands-on elements. For larger groups, on-site training can be more convenient than sending everyone out.
Compare value, not just price
Check what is included, the trainer’s experience in your industry and the certificate you receive. Compare providers on our asbestos courses page.
Asbestos training questions
Is asbestos training a legal requirement?
Yes. Regulation 10 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires every employer to give adequate information, instruction and training to any employee who is, or is liable to be, exposed to asbestos, and to their supervisors.
Does asbestos awareness training let me work on asbestos?
No. Awareness training is about recognising and avoiding asbestos. Work that deliberately disturbs asbestos-containing materials needs non-licensable work training at least, and higher-risk work must be done by an HSE-licensed contractor.
Does asbestos awareness training need renewing every year?
HSE says there is no legal requirement to repeat a full formal awareness course every 12 months, although refreshing knowledge regularly is good practice. Non-licensable and licensable work training should be refreshed every year, or more often if work methods change.
Who needs asbestos training?
Anyone liable to be exposed to asbestos through their work, which includes most trades that work on the fabric of buildings built or refurbished before 2000, their supervisors, and the people who manage asbestos in those buildings.
Related Guidance
Related Courses
Accident Reporting and Near Miss training
Environmental Management courses
Reviewed October 2026 against HSE asbestos training guidance, the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 and the Approved Code of Practice L143. Envico is an independent training intermediary and is not affiliated with the HSE.