The goal of this initiative is to increase awareness through asbestos awareness training for construction trade employees to help lessen exposure and risk of acquiring an asbestos-related disease.

Any approved asbestos training provider can provide asbestos awareness training as well.

Please also visit the Calendar of MIOSHA Training Programs to view currently scheduled Asbestos and Lead Awareness (4 hour class) Training Courses scheduled by the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division of MIOSHA. To request an Asbestos and Lead Awareness Training Course from the CET Division, please complete the Request For Consultative Assistance Form.

You may also wish to contact one of the following:

AKT Peerless Environmental and Energy Services
Contact: James Fox
115 West Allegan, Suite 900
Lansing, Michigan 48933
Phone: 517.482.9227
E-mail: foxcj@aktpeerless.com 
On and off-site classes are available
Call to schedule an Asbestos Awareness Course

Home Builders Association of Greater Kalamazoo
Contact: Emily Lubbers, Member Services & Events Director
5700 West Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone: 269.375.4225
E-mail: elubbers@hbagk.org 
Cost: Member-$35.00/Non-Member-$45.00
Call to schedule an Asbestos Awareness Course

CAM SAFETY
Contact: Joseph Forgue, Safety Director
43636 Woodward Avenue
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: 248.972.1141
E-mail: forgue@cam-online.com 
Call to schedule an Asbestos Awareness Course

Quat, Inc.
Contact: Barb Smith, Instructor
P.O. Box 697
Atlanta, MI 49709
Phone: 866.203.1992
Fax 989.785.5596
Call to schedule an Asbestos Awareness Course

For your information, click Asbestos Awareness Training Outline to get a copy of an outline that may be used to conduct Asbestos Awareness Training. Please contact the Asbestos Program at 517.322.1320 for information about who would be qualified to conduct this training.

Since this initiative started, we have received several phone calls with questions. Following are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Q. How often do I need to attend asbestos awareness training? 

A. Asbestos awareness training needs to be completed annually.

Q. Is there a course planned for the Detroit area? 

A. Yes, please see the links above for the Asbestos Awareness Training that is currently scheduled with the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division.

Q. Do I need asbestos awareness training if there are no employees? 

A. No, although it is recommended. Please call the Asbestos Program for details at 517.322.1320.

Q. What is the cost of the course? 

A. Consultants determine their own pricing. However, the associations work with the department are sponsoring training sessions at no charge or up to $25.00.

Q. Are accredited trainers necessary? 

A. No, however, the training should be conducted by someone knowledgeable of the subject matter. Please contact the Asbestos Program for details at 517.322.1320.

Q. What if I only work in new construction? 

A. If you are working in new construction, then the training may not be necessary. However, if you occasionally work in older buildings, it would be to your advantage to receive the appropriate asbestos awareness training.

Q. Who needs the training? 

A. Anyone that is working in maintenance or custodial activities who may come in contact with asbestos-containing material would need asbestos awareness training. This would include employees such as plumbers, mechanical system workers, elevator repair workers, HVAC workers, construction site clean-up workers, electricians, etc. If a company's work activities require employees to actually disturb asbestos-containing material, additional training, work practices, and engineering controls are required.

Q. Are the Asbestos Awareness Training Courses offered in Spanish? 

A. The department does not currently offer the courses in Spanish. However, there may be consultants or other trainers who offer asbestos awareness training in different languages.

Q. Who pays for the training? 

A. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure that their employees are properly trained at no cost to the employee.

Q. Is the training mandatory? 

A. The training is mandatory for employees involved in maintenance, repair, and custodial activities who have a potential to contact or disturb asbestos-containing material.

Q. What regulations require this training? 

A. The OSHA Asbestos Standard for Construction, 29 CFR 1926.1101, and the OSHA Asbestos Standard for General Industry, 29 CFR 1910.1001.

Q. Is this training something new? 

A. No, the OSHA Asbestos Standards have been around for years. However, because of the illnesses resulting from the disturbance of asbestos-containing material, the department initiated this campaign to inform contractors and companies of their responsibility. It is hoped that this initiative will help minimize airborne asbestos exposure to workers and the general public at the work site.