Mesothelioma : Workers At Risk

Workers At Risk

Workers At Risk - Asbestos exposure is a serious hazard for many different types of workers. Several industries have utilized and still rely heavily on asbestos during manufacturing, building, and/or processing, putting workers at risk for developing mesothelioma. Many public buildings also contain dangerous levels of asbestos which can threaten the health of workers in offices, schools, hospitals and other buildings. Also at risk, are those working in demolition and asbestos removal, as they are regularly exposed to airborne asbestos fibers while on the job.

Jobs At Highest Risk For Asbestos Exposure

Historically workers at highest risk for asbestos exposure are those who have jobs involving prolonged exposure to large quantities of asbestos. Asbestos has been used to create thousands of industrial and commercial products over the years, putting the lives of workers who use and create these products in jeopardy. Asbestos has played, and in some instances still plays, a key role in the textile, construction, military, refinery, railroad, automotive and shipbuilding industries, affecting thousands of workers throughout the world. Statistically the types of workers at highest risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos related diseases include:

• Asbestos Workers
• Asbestos Miners
• Automotive Mechanics
• Automotive Manufacturers
• Boilermakers
• Carpenters
• Cement Workers
• Chemical Plant Workers
• Caulkers
• Construction Workers
• Crane Operators
• Custodians/Janitors
• Demolition Workers
• Drywall Installers
• Electricians
• Elevator Mechanics
• Engineers
• Flooring Installers
• General Contractors
• HVAC Workers
• Home Renovators
• Industrial Engineers
• Insulators
• Iron Workers
• Longshoremen
• Machinists
• Maintenance Workers
• Masons
• Mechanical Engineers
• Military Workers
• Oil Refinery Workers
• Painters
• Pipecoverers
• Pipefitters
• Plasterers
• Plumbers
• Utility Workers
• Power Plant Workers
• Railroad Workers
• Roofers
• School Teachers and Employees
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Shipyard Workers
• Steamfitters
• Steel Workers
• Telephone Installers
• Tile Workers
• Welders

Workers in other jobs and industries may also be affected by asbestos exposure, as any exposure to the dangerous material can cause serious health problems including mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, it is important to check for a history of asbestos exposure. Any party responsible for the victim’s exposure to asbestos may be held liable and financially responsible for covering medical costs and other losses.

Protecting Workers

It was not until 1972 that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) began creating regulations to protect workers exposed to asbestos. Though scientific evidence dating back to the 1930’s indicated a strong tie between exposure to asbestos and serious illness, financial business interests prevented the appropriate preventative actions from being taken in a timely manner.

Currently OSHA regulations outline permissible levels of employee exposure and provide guidelines for monitoring levels of exposure, providing protective gear and following through with appropriate preventative measures. All companies in the United States must comply with OSHA’s asbestos exposure regulations or risk government penalties and costly civil lawsuits from exposed employees.

Negligent Employers

Companies that do not protect their workers in accordance with the OSHA guidelines can be sued by employees that have been diagnosed with an asbestos related disease. Negligently exposing workers to asbestos puts them at grave risk, causing irreparable physical harm, emotional damage and financial strain. Even companies that were exposing workers to asbestos before the OSHA guidelines were created can be liable for the harm they caused if it can be proven that the company concealed knowledge of workers exposure to unsafe amounts of asbestos.

Tweet