Asbestos At Work: Jobs That Commonly Expose

There is a great deal of misunderstanding about the dangers and number of incidents of overexposure to asbestos at work. Many employees hear stories of employees who face a battle with cancer as a result of exposure to asbestos on the job and they believe that all such employees are in danger. The truth is, everyone is exposed to trace levels of asbestos through their home and workplace, but the vast majority of it is harmless. On the other hand, there are situations in which thousands of workers have contracted cancer and other diseases as a result of dangerous exposure to this substance. A proper amount of understanding and care, not panic, is required.

Dangers of Asbestos at Work

Statistics indicate that over 1.3 million workers are exposed to asbestos every day on the job. Thousands of people are diagnosed with dangerous diseases, including lung cancer and mesothelioma, because of overexposure. It is wise for anyone in an asbestos-related industry to be vigilant and follow the safety precautions set down by their employer and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to protect themselves from this hazard. In order to know whether it is necessary for them to be cautious in this area, they should know which industries have more than minimal exposure to asbestos. Some of the most common industries include:

Construction industries – including renovation, insulation installation, roofing, and cooling and heating equipment repair

Textile industries – including paper mills

Shipbuilding

Mining

Auto repair

Manufacturing industries – of products containing asbestos

Janitorial services - in buildings containing asbestos

Dangers of Asbestos

People in these industries need to be especially careful to following the safety measures required by their employer and OSHA. Even then, there may be instances of dangerous exposure that may cause illness, and even death, as much as 40 years in the future from such illnesses as:

Mesothelioma (cancer that invades the lining of the chest and abdomen)

Lung cancer

Gastrointestinal cancer

Colorectal cancer

Asbestosis (lung inflammation that may result in difficulty breathing, coughing, and permanent lung damage)

Calcification and thickening in the lining of the chest cavity

These dangers may not appear for decades, which is why those at risk for such illnesses should be prepared to take legal steps if such injury occurs. They have the right at that point to file a claim for compensation from one of two sources:

An employer, (or their insurance company or asbestos victim’s compensation fund) that did not provide sufficient safety from asbestos exposure

A product supplier whose equipment did not provide sufficient protection from asbestos exposure

All states have statutes of limitations on such claims, so it is important to begin the process as soon as possible after the illness has been diagnosed.

Getting Legal Help with Asbestos Exposure on the Job

Someone who has just discovered they contracted lung cancer through dangerous exposure to asbestos on the job has the right to compensation. They should contact an attorney who has experience with asbestos cases to represent them in their claim for medical expenses, pain and suffering, loss of income, or any other losses they incur as a result of their disease. A skilled attorney can often settle these cases out of court, providing compensation that is swift and appropriate for their losses.

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