Construction Workers and Asbestos: Risks and Prevention
Construction workers face a heightened risk of occupational asbestos exposure, increasing their susceptibility to developing mesothelioma or other asbestos-related diseases. The presence of asbestos in construction materials, such as paint, ceiling tiles, floor tiles, plaster, roof shingles, and drywall, poses a threat to individuals who work with and around these materials.
Various trades within the construction industry are particularly at risk, including bricklayers, crane operators, carpenters, demolition and maintenance crews, home renovators, insulation workers, laborers, pipefitters, plasterers, plumbers, masonry workers, roofers, tile setters, and more.
Asbestos dust has the potential to rapidly spread across job sites, exposing many individuals in a short period. The toxic dust can also adhere to clothing, hair, and tools, posing a risk to construction workers’ families. This secondary exposure risk may lead to the development of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
Products used by construction workers that may contain asbestos include but are not limited to:
- Steam line pipe covering
- Block insulation
- Asbestos fibers
- Gunning refractories
- Blankets
- Tape
- Gloves
- Jackets
- Gaskets
- Packing
- Asbestos rope
- Large electrical motors
- Insulated pumps
- Insulated valves
- Large fans/blowers
- Heat treat furnaces
- Boilers
- Overhead crane electrical brake systems
- Asbestos insulation/lining
- Fireproofing spray
- Compressors
- Chico X Powder
- Asbestos coated cable
- Micarta board
- Bakelite panels
- Circuit breakers
- Switches
- Electrical boxes
- Welding rods
- Gunning refractory
- Transite pipe
- Water heater
- Bondstrand pipe
- Chemtite pipe
- Steam traps
- Residential furnaces
- Oakum rope
- Pipe joint compound
- Millboard
- Asbestos furnace cement
- Crane brakes
- Millboard
- Asbestos roofing felts
- Asbestos roofing shingles
- Roofing coating
- Transite siding
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Endorsed by Plumbers Local 98