Last Updated on April 10, 2025 by Phil Collins

Asbestos awareness training remains critical for workplace safety in the UK. When you consider the widespread presence of asbestos-containing materials (ACMs) in buildings constructed before 2000 you can see why. Even though it was banned in 1999, asbestos continues to pose serious health risks, with exposure leading to nasty consequences.

Why we take pride in our asbestos awareness training courses

The main reason we provide these asbestos training courses is we want to get across the importance in understanding the health risks that come with asbestos exposure. Still, to this day it remains a leading cause of workplace related deaths in the UK, which we believe can be prevented with the correct training. Asbestos exposure can lead to death and these deaths can be linked to diseases such as mesothelioma, lung cancer and asbestosis, which often doesn’t show symptoms until years after the first exposure.

Legal Requirements

The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012, specifically Regulation 10, mandates that employers ensure their workers receive adequate asbestos awareness training if they are likely to encounter ACMs during their work. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in severe penalties, including substantial fines and even imprisonment.

Safety and Prevention

Workers with the necessary skills and equipment to identify ACMs and implement safe practices are trained in not disturbing asbestos fibres. This proactive approach reduces the potential for accidental exposure, safeguarding everyone’s health and reducing long-term healthcare needs associated with asbestos-related diseases.

Compliance and Liability

Employers who prioritise asbestos awareness training benefit from reduced liability by adhering to legal requirements and having a safer work environment. Armco are here to be your support team, providing you and your team with regular updates to your asbestos awareness training and making sure that your business remains compliant with the ever-evolving safety legislation.

Asbestos awareness training is not just a legal obligation in the UK, it is a moral obligation that protects workers and communities. If you factor in thousands of lives lost annually to asbestos-related diseases and its continued presence in numerous buildings, the correct training programs are so important for identifying risks, preventing exposure and creating a culture of safety and good health.

Published Apr 10, 2025