Why high-quality asbestos training matters more than ever
UKATA explains why high‑quality, regularly refreshed asbestos training is essential for protecting staff, maintaining compliance and safely managing the public estate
Although asbestos was banned more than 25 years ago, it remains in an estimated 1.5 million buildings nationwide, including many schools, hospitals, civic buildings and offices constructed or refurbished before 1999.
For government organisations, the challenge is no longer simply recognising that asbestos exists. The priority must now be ensuring that those responsible for managing, maintaining and upgrading public buildings are properly trained to do so safely. High-quality, up-to-date asbestos awareness training is the foundation on which effective risk management is built. Strengthening competence across facilities and estates teams is one of the most practical and impactful steps public bodies can take to safeguard staff, maintain compliance and protect the public.
Turning compliance into capability
Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 (CAR 2012) requires duty holders to identify asbestos-containing materials (ACMs), assess the risks and put appropriate management plans in place. Written records must be maintained, kept up to date and shared with anyone liable to disturb the fabric of the building.
In practice, this means that maintenance operatives, engineers, caretakers, surveyors and contractors must understand not only that asbestos may be present, but how to interpret survey data, where to access registers and what actions to take if they suspect a material contains asbestos.
Documentation alone does not prevent exposure. It is people who are properly trained and confident in their knowledge who make safe decisions on site.
As public sector estates face increasing pressure from refurbishment programmes, decarbonisation projects and reactive maintenance demands, the likelihood of encountering legacy ACMs remains high.
Even minor works such as drilling, cabling, ceiling tile replacement or pipe boxing removal can disturb asbestos if not carefully managed.
Training transforms compliance from a paper exercise into a living, operational safeguard.
Safeguarding staff and building users
The human cost of asbestos exposure remains stark. Diseases such as mesothelioma, asbestosis and asbestos-related lung cancer often develop decades after exposure, leaving individuals and families to deal with life-limiting conditions long after.
Facilities and estates teams are frequently at greatest risk due to the nature of their work. However, exposure incidents in public buildings can also affect teachers, pupils, healthcare staff, patients and visitors. In these environments, the duty to protect extends beyond employees to the wider community.
Effective asbestos awareness training enables staff to: recognise common locations and forms of ACMs; understand that asbestos is often mixed with other materials and not easily identifiable; check asbestos registers before starting work; stop work immediately if unexpected materials are encountered; and escalate concerns through the correct reporting channels.
This knowledge is not theoretical. It directly reduces the risk of fibre release and inadvertent exposure.
Moreover, regular refresher training reinforces safe behaviours. Over time, complacency can develop, particularly where asbestos is present but undisturbed. Refresher sessions provide an opportunity to revisit responsibilities and review lessons learned from enforcement cases and clarify any misunderstandings.
Addressing common gaps
Through engagement across the sector, several recurring weaknesses in asbestos training provision have emerged. These include the following.
Infrequent refreshers: some organisations treat asbestos awareness training as a one-off requirement. However, staff turnover and the natural erosion of knowledge mean refresher training should form part of a structured programme.
Generic content: training that is overly broad or disconnected from the learner’s working environment can fail to resonate. Facilities teams benefit from practical, scenario-based examples relevant to the types of buildings and materials they encounter.
Separation from management systems: asbestos awareness training must align with an organisation’s specific asbestos management plan. Staff should know where documentation is stored, how to access it and how it informs their day-to-day tasks.
Contractor oversight weaknesses: public bodies frequently rely on external contractors. It is essential that contractors provide evidence of appropriate asbestos training before commencing work, and that this is verified and recorded.
By identifying and addressing these gaps, organisations strengthen both compliance and culture.
Understanding training levels
It is vital to distinguish between asbestos awareness training and higher levels of instruction.
Asbestos awareness training is designed to provide general information on the history of asbestos use, associated health risks, typical locations within buildings and an overview of relevant legislation. It is often described as “avoidance training” because it equips individuals to recognise and avoid disturbing ACMs.
It does not qualify someone to intentionally work on or remove asbestos. Where tasks involve direct contact with ACMs, additional training such as non-licensed or licensed work training may be legally required, depending on the nature of the activity.
Clear understanding of these distinctions protects both employees and duty holders from inadvertently breaching regulations.
Practical steps for public sector organisations
Strengthening asbestos training provision does not require radical overhaul. Targeted, structured actions can deliver meaningful improvement.
1. Conduct a training needs analysis
Map roles across estates, facilities and maintenance functions. Identify who requires awareness training, who requires additional task-specific instruction and who oversees contractor compliance.
2. Implement a rolling refresher programme
Link training records to compliance monitoring systems so renewal dates are tracked and managed proactively rather than reactively.
3. Integrate training into induction processes
No employee or contractor liable to disturb building materials should commence work without appropriate instruction.
4. Reinforce learning on site
Toolbox talks, pre-start briefings and visible access to asbestos registers ensure knowledge remains active rather than theoretical.
5. Promote a culture of challenge
Staff should feel empowered to stop work and seek clarification without fear of criticism or delay-related pressure.
In a climate of constrained budgets, training may sometimes be perceived as secondary to operational priorities. In reality, it is a core risk control measure. The cost of a short awareness course is negligible compared to the financial, legal and human consequences of preventable exposure.
Leadership and accountability
Senior leaders play a decisive role in setting expectations. When asbestos training is visibly prioritised and discussed at board level, adequately funded and embedded within governance frameworks, it signals that safeguarding is a strategic concern.
Conversely, where training is treated as a minimal compliance requirement, the message filters downward.
Public sector organisations are custodians of some of the nation’s most important infrastructure. Protecting those who maintain and use these buildings requires more than policies; it requires competence.
By investing in high-quality, regularly refreshed asbestos training, government bodies can demonstrate leadership in health and safety, reinforce public trust and contribute to reducing the long-term burden of asbestos-related disease.
UKATA is dedicated to enhancing the quality and standards of asbestos training with the aim to shield workers and the public from the hazards of asbestos exposure.
The association collaborates closely with its members to guarantee that they have access to the latest information, training resources and industry updates. They provide a suite of support services to assist them in accomplishing their training objectives. Their membership encompasses a diverse array of organisations involved in asbestos training, including training providers, asbestos removal contractors, consultants and equipment suppliers.
UKATA is fervent about promoting safe and responsible working practices, committed to working with members and partners to realise a shared vision of protecting workers and the public from the hazards linked with asbestos exposure.
To find a UKATA-approved asbestos training provider near you, visit www.ukata.org.uk or for free advice call our team on 01246 824437.
