Fast facts
| Required by law? | Yes, in tiersO. Reg. 278/05, s. 19 (1) |
|---|---|
| Approved provider required? | Yes, for Type 3 work onlyO. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 (1) |
| Does it expire? | None stated in the regulationO. Reg. 278/05 |
| Can it be verified? | Yes, for Type 3 workO. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 (3) |
| How long is the training? | Set by the approved programO. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 |
| Also called | asbestos abatement worker training, asbestos awareness, Type 3 training |
| Applies to | Construction projects |
Last verified August 23, 2026 against the sources listed at the bottom of this page.
Is asbestos training required by law in Ontario?
Yes, in tiers. Every worker in a Type 1, Type 2 or Type 3 operation must receive instruction and training from a competent person on the hazards of asbestos exposure, personal hygiene and work practices, and the use, cleaning and disposal of respirators and protective clothing. Type 3 work carries a further, much stricter requirement.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 19 (1)
Does the training provider have to be government-approved?
Yes, for Type 3 work only. Every worker involved in a Type 3 operation must have successfully completed the approved Asbestos Abatement Worker Training Program, and every supervisor of such a worker must have completed the approved Asbestos Abatement Supervisor Training Program. Both are approved by the provincial ministry responsible for advanced education and skills development.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 (1)
Does asbestos training expire in Ontario?
None stated in the regulation. O. Reg. 278/05 sets no expiry date on either the Type 1 and 2 instruction or the approved Type 3 programs. The annual duty here is the asbestos work report, not a training renewal.
O. Reg. 278/05
Refresher
The regulation prescribes no refresher training. It prescribes an asbestos work report at least once every twelve months for every Type 2 and Type 3 worker, and voluntary medical surveillance through the Asbestos Workers Register.
How long is the training itself?
Set by the approved program. The regulation itself prescribes no course length. Length is fixed by the approved Asbestos Abatement Worker and Supervisor Training Programs.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 20
What has to be covered
- The hazards of asbestos exposure
- Personal hygiene and work practices
- The use, cleaning and disposal of respirators and protective clothing
- For Type 3 work, the full approved Asbestos Abatement Worker or Supervisor Training Program
How an employer proves it
Yes, for Type 3 work. A document issued by the ministry showing successful completion of an approved program is conclusive proof of that completion for the purposes of the regulation.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 (3)
What the employer has to keep
- An asbestos work report for each Type 2 and Type 3 worker, at least once every twelve months and immediately when the worker's employment ends
- The report goes to the Provincial Physician at the ministry, with a copy to the worker
What people get wrong about asbestos training
Training has to come before the work, not during it
The employer must ensure the worker or supervisor has successfully completed the required program before performing or supervising the work it relates to. There is no learning on the job for Type 3 asbestos work.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 20 (2)
There is a provincial Asbestos Workers Register
The Provincial Physician maintains a register listing every worker for whom an employer files an asbestos work report. A worker on the register may volunteer, on the Provincial Physician's recommendation, for a prescribed medical examination consisting of a medical questionnaire, chest x-rays and pulmonary function tests, with follow-up examinations at least five years apart.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 22
Building owners have their own separate training duty
The owner of a building containing asbestos must establish and maintain a training and instruction program for every worker the owner employs who may disturb that material, covering the hazards of exposure, protective equipment and clothing, personal hygiene, and the prescribed measures and procedures. This is separate from the contractor's duty.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 8
The tier decides everything
Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 are defined by the operation, not by the worker. The same person can need only competent-person instruction on Monday and an approved ministry program on Tuesday, depending on what the work is. Classify the operation first.
O. Reg. 278/05, s. 12
Related safety training requirements
Official sources
Every statement above was read from the source itself rather than a summary of it. Where Ontario law is silent, this page says so instead of repeating industry practice as if it were a legal requirement.
This is an independent summary of public information, not legal advice, and requirements change. Confirm the current requirement with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development before acting on it.