The Top Benefits of Completing Asbestos Training Online

Asbestos is found in a lot of older building materials, from insulation to floor tiles to joint compound. While legal usage is far more limited now than it was before 1980, asbestos exposure is still a real concern for construction workers and can lead to serious respiratory issues.

As a protective measure, many construction workers need to complete asbestos training. This prepares them to identify and handle asbestos in a way that will minimize their exposure.

Should you complete asbestos training online? The short answer is yes. Read on to learn the benefits of taking an asbestos safety course online.

Learn to Identify Asbestos

When you're working on construction projects where the asbestos health risks are high, knowledge is power. Knowing how to identify asbestos can ensure that you and your crew don't interact with asbestos without the proper equipment and procedures.

Visual Identification

The first step is improving your ability to visually identify asbestos. This is easier said than done because there are many different types of asbestos and it's often mixed into other materials. Asbestos is easiest to identify when it has a fluffy appearance and is white, brown, or blue-gray in color.

Property Age

As you learn more about asbestos, it will become second nature to assess the age of a property you're working on. You're more likely to come into contact with asbestos in unsafe forms in properties built before 1980. When you know you're working on an older building, you'll want to take extra precautions.

Professional Testing

Asbestos training will prepare you to spot the signs of asbestos and, more importantly, the signs that your exposure risk is high. For example, some damaged or broken building materials can increase your risk of asbestos exposure, particularly in older buildings.

Oftentimes, the only way to know for sure that you're dealing with asbestos is to partner with professional testers. Online training will give you a better sense of when it's time to call in a professional to assess the asbestos levels on your construction site.

Study Proper Safety Measures

Because we now know that prolonged exposure to asbestos can cause serious respiratory problems, OSHA has created asbestos regulationsfor construction sites. Failing to meet these regulations doesn't just put your crew at risk. It also creates serious liabilities for your construction company.

In some cases, you may need to provide your crew with PPE including respirators. In others, you may need to hire professionals to:

• Encapsulate the asbestos
• Enclose the asbestos
• Remove the asbestos

Online asbestos training doesn't certify you to take care of these kinds of jobs yourself. However, it does equip you to recognize when it's time to bring in outside help.

Recognize Permissible Exposure Limits

If you're new to construction, you may be wondering why any buildings would still contain asbestos, and the answer is twofold. The first reason is that asbestos removal from older properties is slow work that is still happening today. The second reason is that not all forms of asbestos present an immediate, inherent risk.

Your risk of developing asbestos-related health problems varies based on factors like:

• The type of asbestos you interact with
• The duration of time spent around asbestos
• The amount of asbestos in your construction site

For example, if you're working with materials that contain bonded asbestos, like undamaged tiles, your risk is low. If you're working with airborne asbestos without the proper PPE, your risk increases. One of the most important parts of asbestos awareness is recognizing permissible asbestos exposure limits and not exceeding them.

Create Confidence in Workplace Safety Practices

Construction is often considered a dangerous field, but it doesn't have to be. Your crew depends on you to mitigate unnecessary risks, and that includes asbestos exposure.

In order to ensure asbestos safety on construction sites, you need to:

• Recognize the risks
• Identify probable sources of asbestos
• Proceed with caution and use proper safety equipment (e.g., respirators)
• Call for asbestos testing and removal as needed

Asbestos training online prepares you for working with asbestos in the safest way possible, creating confidence at every site.

Meet Legal Requirements

Depending on your job title, you may need to complete asbestos training to meet legal requirements. While you may not need to become certified in asbestos removal, basic asbestos certification ensures that you have the basic knowledge to practice asbestos safety.

Getting this certification will enhance your personal safety and the safety of those you work with. It may also qualify you for new roles and jobs you were previously unqualified for. If you need or want asbestos safety certification, completing your training online is a great way to meet those requirements.

Complete Your Training on Your Own Time

In-person training requires you to commute to a specific location and set aside designated hours to learn and complete coursework. One of the biggest benefits of online asbestos training is that you can complete it on your own time.

Having the ability to set your own schedule for your training course means that you don't have to take time away from work or family. As long as you have internet access and a quiet place to learn, you can complete our online asbestos training.

Our training course takes a minimum of two hours. You can log off and log back in as needed. This is also a great option to meet your annual recertification requirements as well.

Sign Up for Asbestos Training Online

If you work in the construction industry, it's likely that you're going to encounter asbestos at some point in your career. Many construction professionals must get asbestos safety certified. Even if you don't, taking an online asbestos construction safety course is a great way to ensure your safety on the job.

Compliance Training Online has the highest ratings and industry trust of any online training provider. Over 31,600 companies, government agencies, and universities use our online courses. We've been committed to our up-to-date, flexible training programs since 2008. To learn about all courses available, check out our online course catalog or contact us today.