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Industrial Workers

Industrial Worker Occupational Asbestos Exposure 

How Industrial Workers Are Exposed to Asbestos on the Job

Industrial workers—from trade laborers to mechanics to welders—have a higher risk of being exposed to asbestos in the course of their work. These individuals must often work with and around a wide range of asbestos-containing materials, including various forms of insulation, machinery, pipes, wiring, and other products. In the past, these workers may even have been issued asbestos-contaminated personal protective gear, such as gloves and fire blankets containing asbestos-treated cotton. 

When asbestos-containing products are disturbed, they can release tiny, invisible asbestos fibers into the air. These fibers form a cloud of dust that can be inhaled or ingested. Once they have entered the body, asbestos fibers can become lodged in the linings surrounding the lungs, heart, abdomen, and other areas of the body. This can lead to inflammation and irritation and may ultimately cause cancer

Industrial workers may be exposed to asbestos in the following ways: 

  • Installing, repairing, or replacing asbestos-containing materials 
  • Maintaining products or equipment that contain asbestos 
  • Operating machinery that contains asbestos 
  • Using power tools or machinery to cut, drill, score, or grind asbestos-containing materials
  • Wearing defective personal protective gear or gear that contains asbestos-treated materials
  • Working in poorly ventilated areas in which asbestos was present 

These are just some of the many ways in which industrial workers can and do suffer occupational exposure to asbestos

The Risks of Asbestos Exposure for Industrial Workers 

Like anyone else exposed to asbestos, industrial workers who suffered occupational asbestos exposure face an increased risk of developing certain asbestos-related diseases, including various fatal forms of cancer, such as mesothelioma. In fact, a 2015 study published in the journal Occupational Environmental Medicine concluded that industrial workers are four times more likely to develop pleural mesothelioma, the most common type of asbestos-related cancer, than those who did not perform industrial work. 

Some of the health conditions and illnesses associated with asbestos exposure include: 

  • Mesothelioma
  • Lung cancer 
  • Ovarian cancer 
  • Larynx cancer 
  • Pharynx cancer 
  • Stomach cancer 
  • Colon cancer 
  • Asbestosis 
  • Pulmonary disease
  • Pleural disease 

Because they face a heightened risk of occupational asbestos exposure, industrial workers also face an increased risk of developing one or more of these health conditions. If you or someone you love was diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness following a career as an industrial worker, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your damages. Reach out to the team at SWMW Law today to learn how our experienced attorneys can help.

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Which Types of Industrial Workers Are at Risk?

There are many different types of industrial workers, covering a wide range of specific jobs and industries. Any industrial worker who experienced prolonged exposure to asbestos or asbestos-containing materials faces a high risk of developing an asbestos-related illness. 

This includes but is not limited to the following types of industrial workers: 

  • Forepersons 
  • Line managers 
  • Machine operators 
  • Maintenance technicians 
  • Plant operators 
  • Plumbers and pipefitters 
  • Production engineers 
  • Trade laborers 
  • Welders 

Additionally, industrial workers’ families may face a higher risk of secondary asbestos exposure. Secondary exposure occurs when asbestos fibers land on the clothing, hair, and skin of a person who then brings those fibers home (or to another place, such as a restaurant or bar), thereby inadvertently exposing their friends, loved ones, and even strangers to asbestos. 

  • American Association for Justice
  • MATA
  • The Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis

What Types of Industrial Products Are Associated with Asbestos Exposure? 

All types of industrial products have been found to contain asbestos and asbestos materials. Throughout the 1900s, countless products were manufactured with the toxic substance due to its naturally occurring heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant properties. 

Examples of common industrial products that may contain asbestos include: 

  • Construction materials 
  • Machinery/equipment insulation 
  • Pipe/wire insulation 
  • Spray-on insulation/raw asbestos
  • Textiles 
  • Personal protective gear 
  • Gas valves 
  • Cement 
  • Autoclaves 
  • Engine heating products 
  • Asbestos paper, wraps, and packing 
  • Metalwork 

Just about every company that owned or oversaw typical industrial plants allowed asbestos-containing materials and products within those plants up until the 1970s, according to the Fourth National Forum for Asbestos Litigation. As such, nearly everyone who worked in or around these facilities may have been exposed to asbestos at some point. 

How SWMW Law Can Help 

If you or someone you love was diagnosed with mesothelioma, asbestos, or another asbestos-related medical condition after working as an industrial worker, you could be entitled to financial compensation—and SWMW Law can help. Our experienced attorneys are passionate about standing up for the rights of hardworking people who have suffered immense losses due to the negligence and wrongful conduct of major manufacturers. To date, we have recovered more than $750 million in compensation for our clients, and we are prepared to put our considerable skills, resources, and legal knowledge to work for you.

We offer free initial consultations during which we can sit down with you in person or over the phone to discuss the specifics of your situation. We can determine if you have a case and, if so, can help you seek the maximum compensation you are owed. We invite you to get in touch with our team today to learn more, including how you can schedule an appointment with our attorneys. We are able to travel to you anywhere in the U.S. 

Contact us online or call (855) 744-1922 for a free and confidential consultation. 

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