Your Guide to OSHA Safety Courses On Asbestos Awareness

Written by Tanya Gonzalez | edited by Nate Bortz

Asbestos, a material once widely used in construction, has been identified as a significant health hazard. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires workers and employers to be informed about the dangers of asbestos exposure, particularly those involved in construction, maintenance and general industry sectors.

Understanding the risks and proper handling of asbestos is crucial for ensuring a safe workplace. One effective way to gain this knowledge is by completing an asbestos awareness and safety program. There are several types of courses available, each of which focuses on specific industry safety needs.

In this article, we’ll explore the importance of safety training, the different courses offered and how the informational content provided in the programs can help prevent asbestos-related incidents at a jobsite.

Understanding Asbestos and Its Dangers

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral known for its heat resistance and durability. For decades, it was popularly used in the construction, shipbuilding and automotive industries. The material was often included in insulation, fireproofing, pipe, tile and cement products throughout the United States.

It wasn’t until the late 1980s that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) first banned most asbestos-laden products due to the mineral’s potential health hazards. Despite the EPA’s mandate, it wasn’t entirely prohibited, and some manufacturers continued to include the mineral in their production materials.

Fortunately, the EPA announced a comprehensive ban on March 18, 2024. However, some materials and structures built before the initial ban still contain the carcinogen. Furthermore, several countries, including China, Russia and India, continue to use asbestos in their products. Workers in the United States who come into contact with such foreign-made materials may be exposed to the carcinogen inadvertently.

While asbestos poses little threat when intact, fibers can become airborne when disturbed and cause serious health complications if inhaled. Long-term exposure can lead to severe illnesses, including lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.

According to the World Health Organization, a substantial proportion of global construction industry workers are exposed at work and over 200,000 die each year from asbestos-related diseases. As a result, anyone who works with or around the material must exercise extreme caution, wear protective HAZMAT gear and use OSHA-authorized equipment to ensure proper disposal.

Why Asbestos Awareness Courses Are Important

Awareness training is essential for both employers and employees. OSHA requires workers in specific roles, specifically professionals employed in construction and manufacturing industries, to be properly trained. Employers must also offer training to workers who may encounter the hazardous material.

These training programs help employers meet OSHA and EPA compliance standards, which are critical to avoiding legal penalties, preventing costly incidents, reducing potential lawsuits and creating a more secure working environment.

However, the training isn’t just about meeting legal requirements — it’s about creating a safe workplace for staff and any person who may be exposed to asbestos at a facility or when using materials containing the mineral. Workers who understand the risks, the materials they may encounter and the proper safety protocols to follow when handling the mineral are better equipped to identify and avoid hazards. This, in turn, creates a safer workplace overall.

Who Should Get Certified?

Awareness courses are designed for workers who may be exposed to asbestos at their jobsite. These employees may include:

• Construction workers
• Custodial staff (including school custodians)
• Handymen and maintenance workers
• Emergency response personnel
• Anyone who may encounter the mineral at work
• Supervisors and managers overseeing environments where asbestos is present

What the Training Programs Cover

As a general rule, all asbestos awareness certification programs educate participants on the basics of the mineral’s use (past and present), regulatory compliance, workplace safety standards and employer-employee responsibilities. However, the type of training a worker should enroll in depends on the nature of their occupation.

OSHA Education Center offers two training options: the Asbestos Awareness for General Industry Certificate Course and the Asbestos Awareness for Construction Certificate Course. Each course offers a comprehensive introduction to the mineral, with special attention placed on industry-specific safety standards. The General Industry Course, for example, is geared toward professionals who may be exposed to asbestos while performing regular job-related duties. The Construction-specific Course is tailored to workers who are extremely likely to encounter asbestos. This program includes a wider scope of safety protocols that must be adhered to, since construction workers are at higher risk of disturbing the mineral while building or demolishing structures or working with contaminated materials.

Upon completion, workers will be better equipped to avoid asbestos-related hazards and know how to properly adhere to federal regulations, including OSHA's general industry standard for asbestos exposure (29 CFR 1910.1001).

While neither course certifies workers for asbestos removal procedures, they provide the foundational knowledge to recognize hazards and take appropriate action. Workers who are tasked with extraction or likely to disturb the mineral when performing regular job duties must take a more specialized course, such as asbestos abatement training.

The Convenience of Online Training

Online asbestos awareness training is a convenient option for busy workers and employers. This flexible format allows students to learn the material at their own pace and obtain certification without disrupting their work schedules.

After participants complete their respective course, they will receive a certificate verifying their understanding of asbestos hazards and awareness of the regulations and precautions needed to prevent exposure. This certification is an essential part of workplace safety programs, ensuring that staff are informed and prepared to handle asbestos-related risks.

Keeping the Workplace Safe Through Asbestos Awareness Education

Asbestos certification is essential for maintaining workplace safety and protecting the health of employees. By completing an awareness course, workers, supervisors and business owners can learn how to prevent accidental exposure and responsibly mitigate asbestos-related risks.