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Should Employers Follow Asbestos Awareness Training with Dust Management and Silica Control Training?

Home » Should Employers Follow Asbestos Awareness Training with Dust Management and Silica Control Training?
dust management in construction course

Protecting Your Workforce Beyond Asbestos Awareness

Should Employers Follow Asbestos Awareness Training with Dust Management and Silica Control Training?

As an employer in construction, you already know how critical Asbestos Awareness training is. It’s often one of the first mandatory health and safety course your team completes — safeguarding them against one of the most dangerous materials still present in many UK buildings constructed before 2000.

But asbestos isn’t the only respiratory threat on site. Everyday activities such as cutting, drilling, sanding, and grinding release construction dust — including respirable crystalline silica (RCS), now a major enforcement focus for the HSE.

So the question is:

If your team has completed Asbestos Awareness, should you follow this with training specifically for dust management and silica control?

Why Dust Training is Essential

  • A hidden but deadly risk
    HSE figures show dust exposure causes hundreds of deaths every year. Silica dust is directly linked to lung cancer, silicosis, and and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Broader than asbestos
    Dust hazards don’t stop at silica — cutting wood, plasterboard, and cement all release harmful particles.
  • Your legal duty under COSHH
    The Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations 2002 require you to assess, control, and monitor dust exposure. Training demonstrates compliance if the HSE visits your site.

Building on Asbestos Awareness

Asbestos Awareness provides employees with a good foundation in recognising hazardous airborne materials and understanding why control measures are vital.

Dust Management in Construction training builds on this by teaching your workforce how to:

  • Identify health hazards with common construction dusts including Silica and wood dusts.
  • Identify dust hazards across common construction tasks
  • Implement effective dust suppression techniques (e.g., water suppression, on-tool extraction)
  • Correctly select and maintain respiratory protective equipment (RPE)
  • Monitor and record exposure levels to satisfy regulatory requirements
  • Work to HSE standards for managing construction dust

The Role of RPE Training

Dust control measures are most effective when combined with the correct use of respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

Even where employers provide the right masks and filters, issues often arise because:

  • Workers are not trained in the correct fitting and daily checks
  • RPE is used inconsistently or incorrectly on site
  • Equipment is not maintained, cleaned, or replaced as required

We therefore recommend pairing Dust Management & Silica Control training with dedicated RPE training. This ensures your workforce not only understands the risk but can competently protect themselves every day.

Benefits for Employers

  • Compliance – Demonstrates duty of care and COSHH compliance
  • Reduced risk – Protects workforce health and reduces long-term liability
  • Client confidence – Shows commitment to high standards of safety and welfare
  • Workforce competence – Ensures training translates into safe on-site behaviors

Recommended Pathway for Employers

  1. UKATA Asbestos Awareness (Category A) – baseline awareness of asbestos risks.
  2. Dust Management & Silica Control Training – specific training for the other major airborne hazard on sites.
  3. RPE Training – practical competency training on correct selection, fitting, and daily use of respiratory protection.

Key Takeaway

  • Asbestos Awareness is an essential starting point, but it does not cover all respiratory risks.
  • Following it with Dust Management & Silica Control training, supported by RPE training, ensures your workforce is fully protected and your business remains compliant with HSE requirements.
Book Training for Your Workforce

At Workforce Skills Support, we provide a comprehensive suite of courses to protect your workforce:

Contact us today to discuss a tailored package for your business. Call us on 01623 287830.

Frequently asked questions
Do construction workers need training beyond Asbestos Awareness?

Yes. While Asbestos Awareness protects against asbestos, workers also face hazards from dust such as silica, wood, plasterboard, and cement dust. Additional training in Dust Management & Silica Control is essential for full respiratory safety.

What is Dust Management & Silica Control Training?

This training teaches construction workers to identify dust hazards, implement suppression techniques, use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) correctly, and comply with HSE standards and COSHH regulations.

Why is silica dust dangerous on construction sites?

Silica dust can cause serious lung diseases, including silicosis, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a major focus for HSE enforcement due to its long-term health risks.

How does RPE training help with dust exposure?

RPE training ensures workers know how to select, fit, maintain, and use masks and filters properly. Correct RPE use significantly reduces inhalation of harmful construction dusts.

What are the legal requirements for managing dust on construction sites?

Under COSHH regulations, employers must assess, control, and monitor exposure to hazardous substances, including dust. Providing Dust Management & Silica Control Training demonstrates compliance during HSE inspections.

What are the benefits of dust and RPE training for employers?

Ensures legal compliance with COSHH
Protects workforce health and safety
Reduces long-term liability
Boosts client confidence in your safety standards
Improves on-site workforce competence

What is the recommended training pathway for construction teams?

Asbestos Awareness Training – foundation course for asbestos risks
Dust Management & Silica Control Training – addresses other airborne hazards
RPE Training – practical competency in selecting, fitting, and using respiratory protection

Can these trainings be booked together as a package?

Yes. Workforce Skills Support offers tailored training packages combining Asbestos Awareness, Dust Management & Silica Control, and RPE Training to protect your workforce and ensure compliance.

Are there funding options for construction health and safety training?

Yes. The CITB Short Qualification Grant helps employers reduce costs for approved short courses, including dust and asbestos training.

How can I book Dust Management & Silica Control Training?

Contact Workforce Skills Support at 01623 287830 to discuss a tailored training package for your business.

You might also be interested in

CITB Short Qualification Grant – Find out how you can claim funding support for approved short qualifications to reduce training costs.

Statement – Clarification on course duration for the Level 2 Award in Asbestos Awareness – Clear guidance on course delivery timescales, funding, and why this regulated qualification stands above CPD alternatives.

ARCA AMI Skills Card – Industry-recognised card for asbestos professionals, proving competence and access to asbestos removal sites.

ACAD Skills Card – The official asbestos card from ACAD, supporting competence recognition and site access for asbestos workers.