In the course of adding new wiring or rewiring a building, electricians are at risk of coming into contact with old asbestos insulation on wires. In addition, when upgrading the wiring in older buildings, electricians often have to breach walls that may contain asbestos insulation or asbestos-containing drywall material.
Electricians are often given on-the-job training by their employer on asbestos recognition and precautions to take to ensure safety. Masks with ventilators are often standard operating equipment to avoid asbestos inhalation. Sometimes, state or city regulations require formal asbestos education in a classroom in order to perform certain occupations, and employers are responsible for providing this training.
In order to legally inspect for, handle and remove asbestos, electricians must go through a federally and locally recognized asbestos training program.This is often given on the job by the employer, using a training program that is accredited by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA maintains an online list of these programs organized by state. Certification often requires annual refresher courses available online.