Factory Workers - Mesothelioma Risks
The job of a factory worker largely depends on the type of factory or manufacturing plant in which they work. Broadly, a factory is an industrial building that manufactures products. In many cases, employees at these facilities operate machinery and make sure products are being made correctly. Two occupations that typically exist under the factory worker category include drill press operator and grinding machine operator.
Drill Press Operators
Drill press operators work with previously installed drilling machines that are used to drill, ream and create holes in materials. Some of their work involves lifting or maneuvering product materials and making sure the drill is in the right place. Drill press operators also observe machine operation, replace old equipment and make adjustments when needed.
Before asbestos regulations were implemented in the 1970s, drilling or cutting into asbestos-containing materials often placed drill press operators at risk of asbestos exposure. Asbestos was an ideal material for the bearings of high friction machinery parts, and the daily use of these machines may have released airborne asbestos fibers.
Grinding Machine Operators
Grinding machine operators perform a number of tasks throughout their daily work. A primary task involves monitoring machine operations, which requires making adjustments and stopping the machinery when problems arise. Grinding machine operators also take care of the equipment when parts need replacing or basic maintenance is needed.
Exposure to asbestos was a risk factor for grinding machine operators because the machines typically used asbestos-containing parts. Grinding discs were often made with asbestos because of the mineral’s resistance to heat and fire. As these discs wore down or broke apart, asbestos fibers became airborne and anyone nearby could have inhaled the toxic fibers.
Risks for Factory Workers
In addition to drill press operators and grinding machine operators, other factory workers were at risk for asbestos exposure. Asbestos fibers can easily travel and often remain airborne for quite some time. As reported by the Environmental Protection Agency, there is no safe level of asbestos exposure and even small accounts can cause mesothelioma cancer. Even factory workers exposed in the 1960s and ’70s are still at risk because symptoms of mesothelioma can take as long as 50 years to develop.
Resources for Factory Workers
Factory workers, maintenance personnel, drill press operators and grinding machine operators should seriously evaluate if they were exposed to asbestos while on the job. If exposure was a possibility, annual examinations from a qualified physician should be conducted on an annual basis. For help in finding a doctor with experience in diagnosing and treating mesothelioma, our Doctor Match Program helps patients determine their treatment options and connects them with qualified doctors in their area.
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© 2012 The Mesothelioma Center |
Last Modified Thursday, February 9th, 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.
