Asbestos is a very dangerous substance. Although it has long been used in many industries, the federal government now recognizes that there is no safe level of exposure to this mineral substance.
Whether you work at a remodeling company or as a shipfitter, your work could expose you to asbestos. Employers have a legal obligation to identify risk factors on the job and to protect their employees. How can a company help protect its staff members who have to handle asbestos on the job?
They should provide you with protective equipment
The kind of work you do will determine the protective gear that is necessary for your safety. For example, a respirator is likely more important for those who work in an enclosed space than someone working in an open-air environment. Workers may also need coveralls or even access to showers at the end of their shift so that they don’t retain any asbestos on their clothing or hair and inhale it later.
They should comply with all federal regulations about asbestos handling
The rules regarding asbestos are strict for a reason. Companies often only do the bare minimum of what they must to protect their workers.
Complying with federal asbestos standards is the minimum level of protection necessary for workers handling dangerous materials like asbestos. If your employer does not follow federal regulations regarding safety equipment and also the disposal of asbestos, they may cut corners in other safety-critical areas as well.
They should educate their workers about the risks
Proper training and education are crucial to worker safety. Employees who don’t understand how dangerous asbestos actually is won’t want to adhere to all of the safety protocols because of how time-consuming they may seem.
Employees empowered by information about asbestos in the illnesses that inhaled asbestos can cause are more likely to not only adhere to company standards regarding asbestos handling but also to advocate for their own safety on projects involving asbestos.
If your employer has not taken adequate steps to protect you recently or years ago, you could be at risk of developing serious medical conditions like mesothelioma. Connecting your mesothelioma with your employer’s practices could help you seek compensation that will protect your family and cover your treatment costs.