Asbestos in Metal Works
The metal works industry includes several occupations that involve the fabrication of metal. Blacksmiths, welders, smelters, steel mill workers, aluminum factory workers and iron factory workers fall into this group.
All of these occupations are filled with workers who must labor in areas where high temperatures are present. Before metal works plants were modernized for worker safety, they were havens for asbestos exposure.
For starters, plants built before the 1980s were constructed with materials that contained asbestos. But beyond that, areas that were prone to heat were further insulated by asbestos products. And even some of the protective clothing aimed to keep metal workers safe from fire or excessive heat had asbestos in them.
Asbestos and asbestos materials were routinely incorporated into factory machinery. Asbestos-laden lagging was wrapped around hot pipes, furnaces, generators and boilers as insulation in fireproof workspaces.
It is estimated that metalworkers who labored in the shipbuilding industry or around construction sites also faced increased risks for exposure because asbestos was mixed with more than 3,000 construction products.
Because of the excess exposure, metalworkers have an increased risk for developing an asbestos-related disease, studies show. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma.
These conditions can develop many years after exposure, so retired metalworkers should continually receive checkups to look for signs of an asbestos-related disease. Several former metalworkers filed lawsuits to gain compensation for their illnesses.
If you're wondering if the company you worked for used asbestos-containing products, use the search box below to look through our list of metal works that have documented exposure occurrences.
Metalworking Occupations
There are many jobs in the metal works industry that regularly faced asbestos exposure hazards. Some laborers worked in large factories. Others performed tasks in smaller shops or travelled to various sites.
Metalworking Jobs That Have A History of Increased Asbestos Exposure Risks
Steel Mill Workers:
Because of the constant threat of heat and fire, asbestos was prevalent throughout steel mills. As asbestos-containing materials aged and were replaced, asbestos fibers may have become airborne and inhaled by anyone in the steel mill. Even protective clothing worn by workers was made with asbestos and was a significant source of exposure.
In one study of steel mill workers, asbestos fibers were found in the bodies of maintenance workers and production workers. Inside the mill, asbestos was used in protective gloves, protective clothing, countertops, liner board, and blankets. Other studies have demonstrated increased risks for asbestos-related lung cancer among steel mill workers.
Blacksmiths:
An old trade that shaped metals into practical items, blacksmiths faced asbestos hazards largely because of the necessity to have fire and heat around. To reduce the risk of fires, blacksmiths often worked in areas insulated with asbestos. They also wore gloves, aprons and masks that may have been made with asbestos.
Welders:
These workers specialize In joining (welding) metals together. Like others in the metalworking occupation, they were surrounded by constantly heated temperatures and inevitably had some asbestos-containing materials or clothing for protection. Several studies found that welders are more at risk for developing mesothelioma because of their exposure to asbestos.
In one study of shipyard welders, 13 of 306 of them were found to have irregular developments on their lungs caused by asbestos fibers. In another, five deaths were attributed to pleural mesothelioma. Additional studies also noted increased rates of lung cancer among welders.
Smelters:
Smelter workers faced asbestos hazards because of the asbestos-containing materials they used for protection. Their work stations were often constructed with asbestos products for safety reasons. In some cases, welders may have even worked on asbestos materials. In an asbestos exposure assessment of aluminum smelter workers, as much as 40 percent of the workers studied were exposed to asbestos.
Aluminum and Iron Workers:
Former aluminum and iron workers may have been exposed to asbestos during daily work tasks because the facilities they worked in were often constructed with asbestos-containing materials. The heavy machinery they used was also a potential source for exposure because they may have been made with asbestos-containing parts.
Asbestos Litigation
Because of the overwhelming use of asbestos in their heated work conditions, metalworkers affected by asbestos diseases have sought financial restitution through litigation.
In a 2010 case involving former steel mill worker Barry Baumener, a jury awarded his family $2 million after he passed away from mesothelioma cancer. The company responsible for his death was Oglebay Norton Co., which supplied asbestos-containing products to the mill where Baumener worked. In addition to the $2 million received from Oglebay Norton, Baumener's family settled with 24 other companies for an undisclosed amount of money.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Monday, April 30th, 2012 | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy |
The information provided by The Mesothelioma Center is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Sponsored by a law firm concentrating in asbestos litigation, The Peterson Firm, LLP with offices at 1350 Connecticut Ave, NW, Fifth Floor, Washington DC 20036.
