Asbestos awareness means knowing that asbestos is a serious hazard in many older buildings, that it is dangerous when it is damaged or disturbed, and that you must stop and report anything you suspect rather than work on it. Asbestos fibres can cause fatal lung diseases, often many years after the exposure (general knowledge). This guide explains the basics for site workers and points to HSE for detail. It does not describe removal methods, because removal is specialist work.
Key takeaways
- Asbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that was widely used in buildings, and it can still be present in older premises.
- The danger comes from breathing in fibres released when asbestos materials are damaged, disturbed or broken up.
- You cannot identify asbestos by looking at it (general knowledge), so suspect material must be treated as asbestos until a competent person says otherwise.
- The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 require employers to protect workers and require those who manage non-domestic premises to manage the asbestos in them.
- If you suspect asbestos, stop work, keep others away and report it to your supervisor or site manager.
- Regulation 8(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires a licence before licensable work, and licensable work is work where exposure is not sporadic and of low intensity, or involves asbestos coating (regulation 2(1)), so never attempt to remove material yourself.
What asbestos is and why it matters
Asbestos is the name for several naturally occurring minerals made of very fine fibres. They were valued for strength, heat resistance and insulation, and were used across a wide range of building products for many years. The fibres are microscopic. When a material containing asbestos is drilled, cut, sanded, broken or otherwise disturbed, fibres can be released into the air and breathed in.
Once inside the lungs, the fibres can cause serious illness. The diseases linked to asbestos include mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening (general knowledge, not from the HSE landing page). These conditions usually take a long time to appear, so someone exposed today may not feel unwell for many years. That delay is why awareness matters: the harm cannot be seen or felt at the time.
Asbestos that is in good condition and left undisturbed is much less likely to put anyone at risk. The risk rises when work is carried out without knowing it is there. That is the situation awareness training is designed to prevent.
Where you may meet it
Asbestos is a concern mainly in buildings that are not new. Refurbishment, maintenance, repair and demolition work are the main ways site workers disturb it. HSE publishes guidance on the types of product that can contain asbestos, and you should look at its asbestos pages for the full list rather than relying on a short list from memory.
Because you cannot tell by sight whether a material contains asbestos, the safe approach is not to guess. Typical situations where you should pause and check include:
- Drilling, cutting or fixing into ceilings, walls, boards or panels in an older building.
- Removing old linings, coverings, pipes, boxing or insulation.
- Working in service ducts, boiler rooms, risers and roof spaces where old materials remain.
- Demolition or strip-out where no survey result is available to you.
If the work could disturb a material you cannot identify, ask to see the asbestos information for the building before you start.
The legal picture in plain English
The Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 set out the main duties. In plain English the key ideas are:
- Employers must protect people. Employers whose workers could disturb asbestos must assess the risk, prevent or reduce exposure as far as they can, and make sure workers are properly informed, instructed and trained.
- There is a duty to manage asbestos in non-domestic premises. Those responsible for maintaining such premises must find out whether asbestos is present, assess its condition, keep a record and make a plan to manage it. They also have to give the information to anyone likely to disturb it. The duty is aimed at premises such as workplaces and the shared parts of residential blocks. HSE explains who it applies to.
- Some work needs a licence. Regulation 8(1) of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2012 requires a licence before licensable work. Do not assume a task is minor. The decision belongs to a competent person.
- Training is required. Anyone whose work could disturb asbestos needs suitable information, instruction and training. Asbestos awareness training is the entry level for this.
Details such as the type of survey needed before refurbishment or demolition, and the rules for notifying work, are set out by HSE. Check the official asbestos pages for current requirements, because the rules for each kind of work differ.
What to do if you suspect asbestos
Treat anything you cannot identify with caution. The steps are simple, and they are the same in every workplace.
- Stop work straight away. Do not carry on drilling, cutting or breaking the material.
- Do not disturb it further. Do not brush, sweep, vacuum or pick up debris. Leave things as they are.
- Keep other people away. Tell anyone nearby and, if you can, restrict access to the area.
- Report it. Tell your supervisor or site manager at once so that a competent person can assess the situation.
- Wait for advice. Do not restart work in the area until you have been told it is safe to do so.
- Report any exposure. If you think you may have disturbed material or breathed in dust, tell your supervisor and make sure the incident is recorded.
If you are reading this because a job is about to start and you are not sure, ask for the asbestos survey or register for the building before work begins.
Quick reference: do and do not
| Do | Do not |
|---|---|
| Ask for the asbestos information for the building before work starts | Assume a material is safe because it looks like something else |
| Stop and report anything you cannot identify | Carry on working to finish the job |
| Keep other people away from a suspect area | Sweep, brush or vacuum suspect debris |
| Attend asbestos awareness training and refresh it as required | Try to remove material yourself |
| Follow the instructions of the competent person on site | Move or bag suspect material to tidy up |
| Tell your supervisor if you think you were exposed | Keep quiet because it feels embarrassing |
Practice check
These are original practice questions written for this site. They are not official CITB questions and do not predict your result. This site is independent and not affiliated with CSCS or CITB. To see how the real test is laid out, visit the operatives test format page.
Question 1. You are drilling into an old ceiling board and notice dust that looks different from what you expected. You are not sure what the board is. What should you do?
- A. Carry on, but drill more slowly
- B. Sweep up the dust and carry on
- C. Stop work, keep others away and report it to your supervisor
- D. Wet the dust and continue with a mask
Correct answer: C. If you suspect asbestos you stop, avoid disturbing it further and report it so a competent person can assess it.
Question 2. Why is asbestos so hazardous to health?
- A. Fibres released when it is disturbed can be breathed in and cause serious lung disease, often many years later
- B. It gives off a strong smell that causes headaches
- C. It makes tools slip in the hand
- D. It only affects people who touch it
Correct answer: A. The danger comes from fibres in the air, and diseases usually appear long after exposure.
FAQ
Can I tell if a material contains asbestos by looking at it?
No. Materials containing asbestos can look the same as materials that do not, so appearance is not a reliable guide. Only a competent person, usually with sampling and analysis, can confirm it. Until then, treat the material as suspect and do not disturb it.
Do I need asbestos awareness training?
If your work could disturb asbestos, the regulations require suitable information, instruction and training. Awareness training is the standard starting point, and your employer should arrange it. Check the HSE asbestos pages for what is expected for your type of work.
Who is responsible for managing asbestos in a building?
For non-domestic premises, the duty to manage sits with the person or organisation responsible for maintaining the building. They must find out whether asbestos is present, assess it and share that information with people who may disturb it. HSE sets out who counts as the dutyholder in different situations.
Can I remove a small piece of asbestos myself?
You should not. Whether work needs a licensed contractor depends on the type of material and the work involved, and that is a decision for a competent person. Stop and report anything suspect and let the right people deal with it.
Sources
Independent guide, not affiliated with, authorised by, approved by or endorsed by CSCS or CITB. Last updated 2026-10-08.