Bulldozer Operators

Of all occupations, those who work in construction and demolition are at the highest risk of occupational asbestos exposure. The occupations and trades involved in both construction and demolition include carpenters, masons, bricklayers, drywall tapers and installers , roofers and framers. One group of construction workers that are often not considered when we think of asbestos exposure is those who operate heavy machinery like bulldozers. Bulldozer operators and those who operate cranes and other heavy equipment used in demolition and construction are at a surprisingly high risk of exposure to airborne asbestos for several reasons.

The most obvious source of asbestos exposure for bulldozer operators is the materials in buildings and debris encountered during demolition. Buildings to be demolished are typically older buildings that were constructed using materials that contain high levels of asbestos. From the early years of the 1900s through about 1980, most buildings and homes that were built contained at least some asbestos.

As one of the best-known insulators and fire retardants, asbestos was used in everything from roofing tiles to basement insulation. Plaster and wallboard were often made using asbestos to add a degree of fire resistance, and because asbestos is resistant to rot, insect damage and chemical damage. It was mixed into mastics and adhesives used for tile and flooring, and into paint to add texture and other properties. As long as those materials remain intact, the asbestos they contain presents very little hazard. Asbestos is only dangers when it separates into tiny, fine fibers that can be inhaled or swallowed, so it is only when asbestos containing materials are damaged, broken or worn that it becomes a serious health hazard.

Unfortunately for those who operate heavy demolition equipment like bulldozers, they are most likely to encounter asbestos-containing products when they are at their most dangerous. Air quality tests at demolition sites often show elevated levels of asbestos fibers in the air. Buildings that have been damaged by fire before demolition are a particular risk, since there has seldom been any asbestos abatement done before demolition work begins.

These days, the EPA requires that all asbestos-containing materials be removed from a building or structure before demolition begins. That was not the case in past years. Bulldozer operators from earlier decades would have been working amid clouds of dust and debris, much it generated by asbestos-containing materials like plaster, wallboard, shingles, roofing tiles and asbestos siding. Most bulldozer operators worked in open cabs, and few wore any sort of respiratory protection, making them extremely vulnerable to asbestos exposure.

In addition to exposure during the course of demolition, bulldozer operators are also at risk of being exposed to asbestos on the machine that they use. As late as the year 2000, heavy equipment manufactured by Caterpillar used as many as 200 different parts containing asbestos. Those parts include brake linings and pads, and gaskets in high friction areas of the machine. A bulldozer operator could be exposed to asbestos while doing routine maintenance on the bulldozer. Heavy equipment maintenance workers and mechanics are also at risk of exposure to asbestos.

Asbestos exposure has been linked to some very serious health problems and diseases. It is the only known cause of mesothelioma, a rare malignant cancer that develops decades after initial asbestos exposure. Mesothelioma affects the lining of the lungs, the heart or the abdominal cavity. It is often not diagnosed until it reaches terminal stages, and is a fast-moving, aggressive cancer with no cure and few effective treatments.

In addition to mesothelioma, asbestos exposure has been linked to an increased risk of developing lung cancer and a number of other cancers of the respiratory and digestive system, including colon cancer. Inhaling asbestos fibers also causes asbestosis, a condition where the lungs are eventually immobilized by scar tissue forming around the microscopic fibers.

The risks of working with asbestos were known in the industry long before they came to the attention of the public. The companies that mined, processed and distributed asbestos and asbestos-containing products were aware of the dangers of asbestos exposure, but did nothing to protect their workers from those hazards. Instead, they actively conspired to hide those dangers from their workers and from the public to protect their own interests. Because of their negligence and deliberate actions, courts across the country have awarded multimillion dollar settlements to victims of asbestos poisoning in hundreds of court suits.

In March 2005, Daniel Johnson, a bulldozer operator, successfully sued Caterpillar because he had developed mesothelioma after working on brakes on his Caterpillar bulldozer. He was awarded a settlement of $2.5 million in the first mesothelioma suit against Caterpillar.

If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, you may be entitled to compensation for your illness, medical expenses and suffering. A mesothelioma lawyer who is experienced in asbestos litigation can advise you about your rights and your options for compensation.

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