Please refer to the region-specific information provided. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us at courses@pinchin.com.
Yes. If you are disturbing or removing asbestos, worker training is required under Section 19 or Section 20 of Ontario Regulation 278/05 (O. Reg 278/05).
Asbestos work is classified as Type 1, Type 2, or Type 3 under Section 12 of Ontario Regulation 278/05 (O. Reg 278/05).
Training is required under O. Reg 278/05 for the type of work you’ll be performing.
No. We offer Type 1 and 2 asbestos worker training as a combined course. Type 1-only training is not offered separately.
There are no prerequisites required to take Type 1 and 2 asbestos worker training.
No. Type 1 and 2 asbestos worker training are not required as prerequisites for 253W Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Worker (AAW) training. These topics will be covered as part of the course.
There are no prerequisites required for participants enrolling in the 253W Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Worker (AAW) course. However, your employer must be registered as a Signing Authority with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development (MLITSD) prior to the course and must register you for the training using the appropriate MLITSD paperwork.
To become a certified Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Worker (AAW):
Prior to taking 253S Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Supervisor (AAS) training, you must have:
To become a certified Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Supervisor (AAS), you must:
Be certified as a Type 3 Asbestos Abatement Worker (AAW)
Take the MLITSD AAS exam at an Ontario College and receive a passing grade
Yes. No matter what harmful substance you use in the workplace, you need to have training on that harmful substance as per Section 21 of the Alberta OHS Code. Additional requirements are listed in Section 37 of the Code.
Asbestos work is classified as Low, Moderate, or High Risk work as per the Alberta Asbestos Abatement Manual. Training needs to be appropriate for the level of work that you are doing. If, at any time, you would be entering and/or working in a High Risk situation, you need the government certification training as per Section 37 of the Alberta OHS Code.
No. But you still need training appropriate to the work being conducted. Our Asbestos Awareness Course is often taken by those not needing the full 2-day government certification, but if there is a need for respiratory protection, we generally recommend taking the 2-day course even if not needing it
There are no prerequisites required to take asbestos worker training.
To become a certified Asbestos Abatement Worker (AAW):
Pinchin has a wide variety of asbestos awareness courses, from 1-hour simple general awareness sessions up to the full government certification courses. While the government certification course must be taken in-person, our other courses can be provided virtually. Additionally, with the exception of the government certification course, Pinchin can customize the sessions to meet specific company needs for a fee.
Yes. All workers (maintenance, custodial staff and people of all trades) and supervisors of workers who will work with or near asbestos, must receive training in keeping with the potential hazard of their work before they do the work.
Effective June 1, 2027, all workers performing asbestos inventories or abatement work must hold a valid, specific asbestos certificate and carry it with them at all times on the job.
Yes, effective June 1, 2027, anyone doing any type of asbestos abatement work will either need to take the Safe Work Endorsed Asbestos Abatement Course or successfully challenge the exam.
There are no prerequisites required to take asbestos worker training.
1. Who needs an Asbestos Certificate?
Anyone in BC who performs asbestos abatement, defined by WorkSafeBC as
The level of certification you need depends on the type of asbestos work you will be doing.
Level 1 Foundational Awareness: Anyone to transports and or disposes of asbestos materials
Level 2 Asbestos Safety: Anyone who performs abatement work
Level 3: Asbestos Safety Leader: : Anyone who plans, oversees, and manages asbestos abatement sites
Level S Surveyor Safety: Anyone who performs asbestos surveys
2. What are the prerequisites for each level:
Level 1: None
Level 2: Level 1 (unless the course combines both levels)
Level 3: Level 2
Level S; Level 1 (unless the course combines both levels)
Re-certification of any level: Must hold a valid certificate for that level, and must not have expired more than 12 months.
3. What courses does Pinchin Offer?
Pinchin is a WorkSafeBC-approved training provider for Asbestos Certification.We currently offer group training courses to employers looking for groups of 5-15 for Level 2, and groups of 3-10 for Level 3.
We offer Refresher Training for Level 2 and Level 3 when signing up for a Recertification Exam Sitting. See our upcoming sessions for open enrolment dates.
For group requests and pricing, please contact Nadia Slakov at nslakov@pinchin.com for more information.
We do not offer Level S Certification Training to the public.
4. Do I need asbestos certification training if I'm only disturbing a small amount of asbestos?
You do not need a certificate if the asbestos work you do involves limited disturbance and handling of asbestos-containing materials when it is necessary to perform work in your trade (e.g., electrician, plumber, flooring contractor, painter, roofer, HVAC technician, elevator technician).
You must still have training that satisfies section 6.11 of the OHS (adequately instructed and trained the hazards of asbestos, the means of identifying asbestos materials at the worksite, the work procedures to be followed, the correct use of the required PPE, and operations of the required engineering controls, and the purpose and significance of any required health monitoring).
Pinchin offers a 1 day Asbestos Disturbance Training Course in an in-person group delivery format with classroom and practical learning.
For more information please contact Nadia Slakov at nslakov@pinchin.com
5. Do you have other types of asbestos training?
Pinchin offers a variety of awareness training courses, from 2 hour session that can be in person or online, or 3 hours including a quiz. We can provide awareness training on other hazardous materials such as lead paint, lead products, mercury, PCBs, ODS, and mould.
We offer a 1 day Asbestos Disturbance Training Course with half day classroom session and a half day hands-on practical session. This is targeted to employers and institutions whose employees may perform limited disturbance and handling of asbestos, limited to what is necessary to perform work in your trade (e.g. electrician, plumber, painter, HVAC tech, carpentry).
Have a question about our courses or webinars?
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