Certified Asbestos Awareness Specialist Course (CAAS)

Course Description

OSHA's asbestos standard for general industry at 29 CFR 1910.1001(j)(7)(iv) requires employers to provide an asbestos awareness training course for employees who perform housekeeping operations in areas where an asbestos-containing material (ACM) or presumed asbestos-containing material (PACM) is present.

Required Course Elements The elements of the course must include:

The health effects of asbestos

Locations, signs of damage, and deterioration of ACM and PACM

The proper response to fiber release episodes

The standard requirements related to housekeeping

This training must be held annually and conducted so that all employees understand it.

Learning Objectives

The Asbestos Awareness training course provides students with the information they will need to identify work areas where asbestos may be present, understand the harmful effects of asbestos, describe methods to avoid asbestos exposure, and become familiar with OSHA and EPA standards designed to protect workers on the job site, among many other important topics. Additional training with site-specific protective equipment must be provided by the employer using the equipment that will be used on site prior to or at the time of initial assignment.

Who Should Attend

Students who should take this course are those who may be exposed to asbestos on the work site. This training is NOT for those workers who perform asbestos abatement activities and does not provide equipment training for workers required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) on the job site.