Asbestos Exposure in the Construction Industry
History & Background
Throughout human history, we have relied upon the physical construction of buildings, factories, homes, and cities to survive and prosper. None of this would be possible without the construction workers and the working men & women of the different trades that comprise the construction industry.
Carpenters, bricklayers, insulators, plumbers & pipefitters, steel workers & welders, painters, electricians, equipment operators all worked together in industrial, commercial and residential settings.
In addition to working around toxic chemicals and materials, loud noise, and/or dangerous heavy machinery, oftentimes construction workers are faced with toxic substances such as asbestos while working side by side with other trades, putting them at additional risk for asbestos-related diseases.
How Were Construction Workers Exposed?
Most structures constructed between 1920 and 1980 run a substantial risk of being constructed with asbestos products in the floors, walls, roof, insulation, pipes, boilers, fireproofing materials and other areas. Even today, in certain structures when a modification is made workers are in danger of toxic asbestos dust and fiber inhalation.
Asbestos was used in the following types of products in the construction trades:
- Adhesives, cements, motor & sealers
- Protective clothing
- Asbestos paper & millboard
- Fireproofing
- Cement pipes, boards, sheets & plastics
- Raw asbestos fibers
- Clay, compounds, paints & plasters
- Refractory products, castables & cements
- Electrical & mechanical products
- Roofing, shingles & siding
- Flooring & ceiling tiles
- Rope, wick, cord & tape
- Gaskets, packing & packing materials
- Textiles, felts & cloth
- Pipe covering & block
Construction Workers & Asbestos Diseases
At George & Farinas, LLP, we have helped many former construction trade men & women that have been exposed to asbestos in the workplace. We understand how difficult dealing with a mesothelioma diagnosis is to the victim and the family, particularly when you realize it should have been prevented. We believe that the responsible parties should be held accountable for their negligence in exposing innocent workers to asbestos. Our firm has aggressively fought for full and fair compensation of many workers suffering from asbestos cancers.
Employers and product manufacturers have a duty to ensure that employees are not exposed to toxic substances, and are fully protected from inhalation of toxic gases, as well as asbestos fibers, which are known to be the cause of mesothelioma.
When the duty to protect employees has been violated, the company must be held responsible. Our Indiana asbestos attorney can assist you to determine the best course of action to pursue compensation. Call us today!