Asbestos is still present in many older Irish buildings, and disturbing it unknowingly can lead to fatal disease decades later - awareness training is the first line of defence. If you are arranging a asbestos awareness course in Wexford, County Wexford, this guide explains exactly what the training covers, who needs it and how your team can get certified online today.
Our Asbestos Awareness Course is fully online, self-paced and CPD certified. It takes about 60 minutes, finishes with a short assessment, and gives you a downloadable certificate the same day - no travel, no classroom day, and no waiting for the post.
Who needs Asbestos Awareness training
The Asbestos Awareness Course is designed for construction, maintenance, electrical, plumbing, demolition and refurbishment workers in older buildings. In Ireland, employers have a clear duty to make sure anyone exposed to these risks is properly trained and competent - and that includes supervisors and managers, not just frontline staff.
Because the course is online and self-paced, it fits around real working life. One person can certify in an afternoon, or a whole team can be brought up to the same standard without anyone leaving the workplace.
What the Asbestos Awareness Course covers
The course builds practical, job-ready knowledge from the ground up. By the end you will understand:
- What asbestos is and where it is found
- The serious health risks and diseases it causes
- How to recognise likely asbestos-containing materials
- What to do if you discover or disturb asbestos
- The asbestos register and safe systems of work
- The limits of awareness training versus licensed removal
Everything is explained in clear, plain English with real workplace examples, so the learning sticks and people can apply it straight away.
Why Asbestos Awareness training matters
When training is skipped, the same avoidable problems show up again and again. The risks our Asbestos Awareness Course is built to prevent include:
- Damaged asbestos cement and tiles
- Work in pre-2000 buildings without checks
- Disturbing old insulation or lagging
- Spreading fibres on clothing and tools
The worst outcome is rarely dramatic equipment failure - it is usually breathing in fibres that cause fatal disease years later. Proper training is the simplest, cheapest way to stop that happening, and it gives staff the confidence to do the job safely.
The law in Ireland
This area is governed by the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010, sitting under the general duties in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007. Together they require employers to assess risks, put controls in place, and make sure staff are trained and competent for the work they do.
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) enforces these duties and can request training records during an inspection or after an incident. An accredited Asbestos Awareness Course with a dated certificate is a straightforward way to show you are meeting your obligations.
Asbestos Awareness Course in Wexford
Workplaces across Wexford and County Wexford carry exactly the same duties under Irish health and safety law as anywhere else in the country. Whether you are a small business in the town centre or a larger employer on the outskirts, the requirement to train your people is the same.
The good news for employers in Wexford is that there is no need to travel or book a venue. Our Asbestos Awareness Course is delivered fully online, so your team can complete it from the workplace or from home and download a certificate that is valid right across Ireland.
How the online course works
- Enrol online in a couple of minutes - one learner or a whole team.
- Learn at your own pace on any phone, tablet or computer. The Asbestos Awareness Course takes about 60 minutes.
- Pass the short assessment at the end to confirm your understanding.
- Download your certificate the same day - CPD certified and ready for your records.
It really is that simple. No classroom, no waiting, and no disruption to your working week.
Frequently asked questions about asbestos awareness training
Will this help me meet Irish health and safety law?
Yes. Completing an accredited Asbestos Awareness Course is a clear, recorded way to show you are meeting your duties under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Exposure to Asbestos) Regulations 2006 and 2010 and the wider 2005 Act, which is exactly what the HSA looks for.
How long is the certificate valid?
There is no single fixed legal expiry, but refresher training every two to three years is good practice - and sooner if the work, equipment or risks change. Your certificate is dated so you always know when a refresher is due.
Is the Asbestos Awareness Course done fully online?
Yes. The Asbestos Awareness Course is delivered entirely online and is self-paced, so you can complete it on any device, at work or at home, with no need to attend a classroom.
Can I do the Asbestos Awareness Course in Wexford?
Yes. Because the course is fully online, anyone in Wexford and across County Wexford can complete it without travelling. The certificate is recognised right across Ireland.
Is this Asbestos Awareness Course suitable for my whole team?
Absolutely. You can enrol one person or a whole team. Online delivery means everyone trains when it suits them, and you keep all the certificates together as evidence of compliance.
Other safety courses you may need
Most Irish workplaces need more than one type of safety training. Alongside the Asbestos Awareness Course, these accredited online courses are popular with employers like you:
- Fire Warden / Fire Marshal Course - for appointed staff in offices, hotels, shops, care homes, schools, factories and any occupied premises
- Fire Extinguisher Course - for all staff, fire wardens and anyone who may need to tackle a small fire before evacuating
- Emergency First Aid Course - for appointed workplace first aiders and any staff who want the confidence to help in an emergency
You can explore every course on the Online Safety Courses homepage and certify your team across multiple topics in one place.
Get certified today
Ready to get started? Enrol on the Asbestos Awareness Course now, train at your own pace, and download your CPD-certified certificate the same day. It is the simplest step you can take towards a safer, fully compliant workplace.