Asbestos awareness training and removal courses cover the information needed to safely identify harmful asbestos fibres. With the awareness course, employees learn how to detect the fibres in various construction materials. The removal courses give workers the skills needed to minimise exposure during the removal process.
Exposure to asbestos increases the risk of various illnesses, including lung cancer and asbestosis. If you work in a field that includes a risk of exposure, you may need to complete one of these courses. Here is what you should know about the awareness course and asbestos removal courses in Adelaide.
Do You Need a License for Asbestos Removal in Adelaide?
You may need a license depending on the type of material and the quantity. For example, you do not require a license to remove less than 10 square metres of non-friable asbestos. However, if the material exceeds 10 square metres, you need to complete the CPCCDE3014A Remove Non-Friable Asbestos Course.
A license is required to remove any amount of friable asbestos-containing material. Friable products include materials that easily crumble into fine dust, increasing the risk of exposure. Non-friable products come from a bonding compound, such as cement, and contain less harmful materials and less risk of exposure.
An asbestos removal contractor also requires these licenses. The goal of the training is to help prevent asbestos-related illnesses, including mesothelioma. Approximately 700 people die each year from this disease. Overall, the number of annual deaths linked to asbestos is about 4,000.
Those that face the biggest risk of exposure include home renovators and workers in the construction industry. Homes built before 1990 are likely to still contain some friable materials. Asbestos was commonly used for pipe lagging, sprayed insulation, boiler insulation, and fire-retardant material on steelwork.
How Do You Get an Asbestos Removal License in Adelaide?
To get a removal license, you need to complete the required training. As mentioned, there are two types of licensed asbestos courses— friable and non-friable. In some cases, you may need to complete training for both.
After the completion of the course, you need to complete an assessment demonstrating your knowledge of the course curriculum. You then receive a statement of attainment as a proof that you have completed the unit of competency for the removal of friable or non-friable materials.
The statement remains valid for three years. After the three-year period, you need to retake the initial program. There are no refresher courses for asbestos removal in Adelaide.
These programs require prior learning. You need to complete construction induction training prior to enrolling. Construction induction training is also called white card training and covers the basic hazards of working on a construction site.
How Many Levels of Training Are There for Asbestos Removal?
Multiple levels of training exist. If you need to supervise removal or conduct an assessment, you may need to complete additional training. Currently, AlertForce offers the following courses:
- Awareness training
- CPCCDDE3014A—Remove non-friable products
- CPCCDE3015A—Friable asbestos removal
- CPCBC4051A—Supervise removal
- CPCCBC5014A—Conduct asbestos assessment associated with removal
Awareness training is the lowest level and does not grant you a license to remove the material. This nationally recognised training program is a general online awareness course intended for those that may face exposure to asbestos-containing materials, but do not need to remove it.
Supervise removal and conduct assessment courses are also available. The CPCCDE4008 course covers the information needed to supervise the removal of asbestos-containing material (ACM). It includes steps for planning and supervising, along with preparing the work area and worksite.
CPCCBC5014A provides training for visually inspecting the work area and using measuring devices to monitor airborne fibres in the workplace. It includes planning for monitoring and the selection of air-monitoring equipment. These steps are required for the removal of any ACMs.
How Long Does Asbestos Training Take in Adelaide?
The duration of the training program depends on the course. The supervise removal and two removal courses last for one full day. At most training organisations, the course is scheduled for 8 am to 4 pm, with a break in the middle for lunch.
The conduct assessment associated with removal course lasts two days. These courses involve face-to-face training. However, the awareness course is offered online. It is a self-paced course available nationally.
How Much Does Asbestos Training Cost in Adelaide?
As with the duration of the training, the cost varies depending on the course and the training organisation. AlertForce offers several different courses, including asbestos awareness online training, class B removal course, supervise removal course, and conduct asbestos assessment course.
The class B course costs $297 for those in Adelaide. The supervise removal course costs $327 while the assessment course costs $997. PCBUs may enrol up to five employees in the awareness course for free.
