The Construction Industry and Asbestos Exposure

Boilermakers

A person employed in nuclear and fossil power plants, shipyards, refineries, or chemical plants. A boilermaker’s objective is to work on (as the name suggests) boilers, pressure vessels, and other like machinery.

Carpenters

This trade mainly involves developing structures made of wood. Specific carpenters at risk include those working in framing houses, buildings, and other buildings. This also includes general contractors that work on remodels.

Cement and Concrete Finisher

Cement and concrete finishers are the ones in charge of pouring, smoothing, and finishing surfaces. This can include working on walkways, roads, curbs, and walls by use of power and hand tools. There’s always a risk of being exposed while on the job, even secondhand depending on the location, especially when working around older buildings and negligent companies.

Dredge Operator

During construction projects, sand, silt, and debris often flow downstream and can contaminate water bodies (rivers, streams, lakes). Dredge operators work to clean up the site. This process, specifically, is called dredging.

Electrician and Electrical Technician

Trades that specialize in electrical wiring of buildings and equipment. Asbestos exposure risk is high for technicians that work in older structures and buildings that may still contain asbestos. When workers have to access electrical boxes, they can be in tough-to-reach areas and unmaintained areas of a house or building, exposing the worker if they don’t have proper PPE. This can then lead to inhalation and soon, symptoms.

Equipment Operator

Many jobs fall under the title “equipment operator.” They are also known as “heavy equipment operators” if the operated machinery also falls under this category. Equipment operators drive, function, and manage all construction equipment. Like many of these other industries, secondhand inhalation risk is always a risk factor when using machinery that involves flattening or removing buildings built prior to 1980. A mesothelioma diagnosis is the only way to know for sure, but being properly equipped. is the best way to prevent yourself from being exposed.

Flooring Installer

As the name suggests, the flooring installer is the person who installs a variety of flooring and floor coverings. Flooring installers work with carpeting, ceramic tile, concrete, tile, wood flooring, and vinyl types. It’s possible that asbestos fibers could have been used in the process of creating or removing flooring.

Foreman or Construction Manager

This person develops an action plan and leads the crew in all projects. They’re often the first person on the worksite and the last person to leave and can be found on job sites directing their crew. They’re also very likely to encounter this deadly mineral as they work with all parts of the team and in all locations. The best thing for a construction manager to keep in mind is that if his crew and staff are safe, then the community at large can rest easy.

HVAC Technician

Also known as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, HVAC technicians install, service, and maintain all heating and cooling ventilation systems in building structures. This service helps control air quality and temperature.

Insulation Worker

These workers install insulation and related products (protective coverings, coatings, and finishes in mechanical systems) that go into structures to help maintain and control the temperature in buildings. Workers at significant risk would involve those that work primarily inside older places in poorly ventilated areas.

Ironworker

Crew members in this trade build and tear down structural iron and steel frames, and install iron and steel for building support and development. Ironworkers can also be known as steel erectors or structural ironworkers. Ironworkers in older buildings are the most at risk for many of the reasons we’ve already covered. Ironworkers have been linked to a high mesothelioma contraction rate between 1940 – 1980s as that was when asbestos use was highest in the industry.

Laborer

This trade can encompass several positions based on what the collective construction crew needs help with. Primarily, the laborer performs physical labor and tasks to assist other trade positions. Laborers can be tasked with cleaning up job sites and debris, carrying equipment, or moving machinery.

Mason Workers

Also known as stonemasons or marble setters and polishers, masons aptly construct structures with bricks, blocks, stone, concrete, and natural stone. These can include walls, walkways, patios, and surfaces. Compensation for Mason’s who inhaled asbestos and filed a claim can be up in the millions.

Painters

This trade can be performed on a variety of commercial and residential projects. Painters working in poorly ventilated areas inside (instead of outside) are at higher risk for dangerous levels of toxic exposure. Painters can avoid risks by avoiding any building materials that have loose fibers.

Plasterer

The worker who layers plaster on walls, moldings, or ceilings is known as a plasterer. A plasterer may also work with cement, stucco, or ornamental plaster. it’s important to consider the exposure to silica and other harmful substances that may be present during the plastering process. When mixing or applying plaster, a plasterer can be exposed to silica dust, which is created when cutting, grinding or sanding drywall, concrete or other materials. Prolonged exposure to silica dust can lead to lung cancer, silicosis and other respiratory diseases.

Plumber, Pipefitter, Steamfitter

This is the person who installs, fixes, and maintains the plumbing and draining pipe systems in buildings. Plumbers may be exposed to asbestos, or other carcinogens, as they were commonly used in insulation and pipe coatings. Inhaling these fibers can lead to lung cancer, mesothelioma, and other respiratory diseases. To minimize the risk of exposure, plumbers should wear proper protective gear and follow safety guidelines when working with materials that may contain asbestos.

Sheet Metal Worker

Sheet metal workers fabricate and install products made of metal sheets. An example is air conditioning and ventilation ducts. Sheet metal workers may also be exposed to asbestos as well as other hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and chromium. These materials can be found in metal coatings and alloys used in fabrication, and their inhalation can cause lung cancer and other health problems. Proper ventilation, personal protective equipment, and adherence to safety protocols are crucial in minimizing the risk of exposure.

Roofer

A roofer is someone that works on roof coverings. Roofers may apply weather and leak-proof materials to increase R-value and heating/cooling efficiency. Roofers may be exposed to similar hazardous materials when working with roofing materials such as asphalt, tar, and certain coatings and may need treatment. In addition, exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can also increase the risk of skin cancer, including melanoma. To protect themselves, roofers should wear protective clothing and sunscreen when working outdoors, and follow safety guidelines for handling materials that may contain carcinogens.

Welder

An employee that combines or cuts metal pieces using special tools and equipment. Welders that repair damaged structures have the highest risk of exposure to carcinogens as they often repair damaged structures, such as ships, bridges, and pipelines. This is because the materials they work with may have been previously coated or insulated with substances that contain carcinogens, which can be released into the air when the metal is heated or cut.