At Utilities Training – North West Training Centre, Accrington
Protecting people from asbestos exposure is critical in the utilities and construction sectors. Our Smart Awards SA007 Asbestos Awareness course gives your team the essential knowledge they need to recognise asbestos risks and work safely around asbestos-containing materials (ACMs).
Delivered at our North West Training Centre in Accrington, Lancashire – Unit 2, Link Place, Link Lane, BB5 1AE – this accredited course is ideal for individuals and companies working across utilities, telecoms and construction.
What is SA007 Asbestos Awareness?
SA007 is a Smart Awards–accredited asbestos awareness qualification that provides learners with a solid foundation in all key aspects of asbestos awareness. It’s designed for people who may encounter asbestos or ACMs during their day-to-day work, helping them understand the hazards, legal duties and safe working practices.
On successful completion, delegates receive a Smart Awards SA007 Asbestos Awareness certificate, valid for 3 years.
Who Should Attend?
This course is suitable for anyone in the utilities, telecoms or construction industries who may come across asbestos as part of their role, including:
- Civils and utilities operatives
- Telecoms engineers and contractors
- Maintenance and repair teams
- Supervisors and site managers
- Contractors working on refurbishments or upgrades
- Anyone planning to work in the utilities or construction sector
There are no formal entry requirements. Delegates must be 16+ with a basic level of literacy to complete the assessment.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the course, delegates will be able to:
- Recognise the health hazards of asbestos – including long-term conditions such as asbestosis, mesothelioma and lung cancer.
- Identify common types and uses of asbestos and where it may be found in buildings and infrastructure.
- Understand the legal framework surrounding asbestos, including employers’ and employees’ responsibilities.
- Identify typical hazards and risks associated with asbestos and ACMs in the workplace.
- Apply prevention and control measures to minimise the risk of exposure.
- Know what to do in an emergency, including accidental disturbance or suspected exposure.
This is an awareness-level course – it does not qualify delegates to remove or work directly with licensed asbestos.
Course Format & Assessment
- Duration: Typically half a day (0.5 day) of classroom-based training.
- Location: North West Training Centre, Unit 2 Link Place, Link Lane, Accrington, BB5 1AE.
- Delivery: Tutor-led, with presentations, case studies and discussions tailored to utilities and construction work.
- Assessment: A theory assessment made up of multiple-choice questions to confirm understanding of key topics.
- Certification: Smart Awards SA007 Asbestos Awareness certificate, valid for 3 years, after which a refresher is recommended/required.
Why Choose Utilities Training in the North West?
Utilities Training is a specialist provider delivering training for the Utilities, Construction and Health & Safety sectors, accredited by awarding bodies such as Smart Awards, CITB, Highfield, CABWI, City & Guilds, IPAF, EUSR and more.
When you choose our North West Training Centre in Accrington, you benefit from:
- Experienced industry trainers with decades of experience in telecoms, utilities and construction.
- A CITB Approved Training Organisation (ATO) status, supporting funded training where applicable.
- Modern classrooms and practical training spaces tailored to real-world utilities environments.
- Flexible dates, including options for on-site and private courses for larger groups.
North West Training Centre – Venue Details
Address
Utilities Training – North West Training Centre
Unit 2, Link Place
Link Lane
Accrington
BB5 1AE
The centre serves organisations across the North West and nationally, making it ideal for companies with regional or UK-wide operations.
How to Book
To check dates, prices and availability for SA007 Asbestos Awareness at our North West Training Centre:
- Visit the All Training or Upcoming Training section on the Utilities Training website, or
- Contact the team on 01254 369 620 or via the published email address for booking and group enquiries.
You can also request private or on-site delivery for teams, subject to numbers and facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions – SA007 Asbestos Awareness
1. How long does the SA007 course take?
SA007 Asbestos Awareness is typically delivered as a half-day classroom course, making it easy to fit around operational schedules while still covering all essential topics.
2. Is this course accredited?
Yes. The course is fully accredited by Smart Awards as SA007 Asbestos Awareness, aligned with relevant National Occupational Standards (NOS) for asbestos awareness.
3. How long is the certificate valid for?
Your Smart Awards SA007 certificate is valid for 3 years. After that, you’ll need to attend a refresher course to keep your knowledge current and maintain evidence of training.
4. Does this qualify me to remove asbestos?
No. SA007 is an asbestos awareness qualification only.
It teaches you how to recognise asbestos, understand the risks, and know what to do if you encounter it, but it does not qualify you to remove or work directly with licensed asbestos. Specialist additional training and licensing are required for asbestos removal work under UK regulations.
5. Who is the course suitable for?
The course is ideal for anyone working in or entering the utilities, telecoms or construction sectors who may come across ACMs – for example, civils operatives, telecoms engineers, supervisors, maintenance staff and contractors. No previous asbestos training is required.
6. Are there any entry requirements?
Yes, but they’re minimal:
- You must be 16 or over.
- You should have a basic level of literacy to understand the course content and complete the multiple-choice assessment.
There are no academic prerequisites, and access is not restricted based on prior qualifications or experience.
7. How is the course assessed?
At the end of the course you’ll complete a short theory assessment made up of multiple-choice questions. This is designed to confirm that you’ve understood the key concepts around asbestos hazards, legal duties and safe procedures.
8. What should I bring with me?
Typically, you’ll need:
- Photographic ID (such as a driving licence or passport) for registration and certification.
- A pen/notebook if you like to take notes.
Comfortable workwear is usually fine; there is no practical asbestos handling on this awareness course.
9. Can you deliver SA007 on our site?
Yes. Utilities Training can deliver courses at customer premises or remote sites where suitable facilities are available, as well as at the North West Training Centre in Accrington. This is particularly useful for larger groups or site-specific training.
10. Does this help us meet our legal duties?
SA007 supports employers in meeting their duty under UK legislation (such as the Control of Asbestos Regulations) to provide appropriate information, instruction and training to those who may be exposed to asbestos at work. However, each employer is responsible for ensuring that the training provided is suitable for the specific tasks their employees undertake and for arranging any further role-specific or licensed work training where required.
11. I have dyslexia or other learning needs – can you support me?
Utilities Training promotes fairness, equal opportunities and reasonable adjustments wherever possible. If you have any additional learning needs, let the team know in advance so arrangements can be made to support you during the course and assessment.