Construction workers are one of the highest at-risk groups in terms of exposure to asbestos. All buildings constructed between the early 1920s and the late 1980s are presumed to harbor asbestos and products that contain asbestos in walls, floors, ceilings, insulation, pipes, HVAC, boiler rooms, and more. It is estimated that more than 1 million construction workers are exposed every year to materials that contain asbestos.
Absent proper asbestos abatement protections, construction workers came into contact with asbestos during original construction and subsequent maintenance, remodeling or demolition of these buildings. Workers unknowingly also placed family members in danger by exposing them to asbestos fibers that were carried home on work clothes or on a worker’s body.
Exposure to even a fractional amount of asbestos — during construction, repairs, demolition, alteration, or maintenance — can result in serious health problems, including the risk of developing asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, or other related cancers.
The symptoms of health problems resulting from exposure to asbestos may not appear for 10 to 50 years after the actual exposure occurs. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest pain, a chronic cough, nausea, and weight loss.
Starting in the 1970s, the government developed regulations that were designed to protect construction workers from harmful health risks associated with the materials involved in asbestos construction. Today, most construction sites where asbestos is known to be present should be monitored daily for levels of asbestos in the work environment. However, companies often do not follow these rules and put construction workers at risk.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established rules for controlled zones at construction sites where asbestos is present. For their own protection, workers are required to follow safety precautions, including wearing protective respiratory equipment and clothing. Employers are also required to provide decontamination areas for construction workers at sites where asbestos is present. At sites where an employee is exposed to greater amounts of asbestos, employers are required to provide routine medical examinations for workers.
A total of 25 states, including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have OSHA-approved state plans and have adopted their own standards and enforcement policies. For the most part, these states adopt standards that are identical to federal OSHA rules. However, some states have adopted different standards or may have different enforcement policies.
In addition, OSHA rules stipulate that if you are working in an area that contains asbestos, your employer must pay for special training that covers the dangers of asbestos and what precautions to take.
Construction workers who are often at risk of exposure to asbestos include:
If you or a loved one developed mesothelioma or other severe ailments after being exposed to asbestos at work, you could be entitled to financial compensation. A skilled attorney could discuss construction worker asbestos exposure lawsuits with you during an initial consultation and help you understand your options for legal recourse. Call today to learn more.
