LawFuel.com – Mesothelioma Law Firm News – Coady Law –
Workplace exposure to asbestos is widely accepted as the leading cause of all mesothelioma cases diagnosed in the US each year. The widespread use of asbestos during the twentieth century exposed millions of workers and their families and increased their risk of contracting cancers and other asbestos-related diseases. Between 1940 and 1979, it is estimated that nearly 27.5 million people were exposed to asbestos at work. These workers were exposed to asbestos in a variety of industrial and construction environments. It has been estimated that approximately 900,000 workers have been exposed to asbestos from automobile brake and clutch work alone.
In 1970, Congress passed regulations declaring that employers must take steps to protect their employees from known hazards and exposure to chemical agents, such as asbestos. Unfortunately, many manufactures chose to ignore or minimally construe these regulations and continued endangering lives, resulting in many thousands of preventable cases of mesothelioma.
Workers were exposed to asbestos in a wide range of job sites and trades, ranging from ships to the manufacturing and construction industries. Indeed, it is estimated that nearly 1.3 million workers in the construction industry are exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos each year. Although widespread use of asbestos is outlawed in the United States today, the threat of asbestos exposure still looms. For many workers, asbestos exposure is still possible for those who have occupations and work in buildings that were erected or renovated prior to the ban.
Below is a list of occupations that have documented accounts of asbestos exposures and past incidents of mesothelioma cancer:
Abatement Worker
Acoustical Worker
Aeronautical Engineer
Aerospace Mechanics
Air Conditioning Mechanic
Air Conditioning/Heating Mfg. Worker
Aircraft Mechanics
Aluminum Worker
Apprentice Fitter
Asbestos Furniture Worker
Asbestos Plant Workers
Asbestos Worker
Ash Handler
Ash Puller
Assembler
Assembly Line Worker
Auto Mechanic
Auto Mechanics
Aviation Electrician
Aviation Mechanic
B Operator
Bag Opener
Bagger
Bale Press Operator
Bale Roller
Bar Shearman
Batter operator
Beamer
Beaterman
Belt Operator
Binder Changer
Blacksmith
Blaster
Blender
Boat Builder
Boat Operator
Boiler Coverers
Boiler Inspector
Boiler Maker
Boiler Mechanic Helper
Boiler Operator
Boiler Tender
Boiler Washer
Boiler Worker
Boilermaker
Boilermaker Helper
Boilermaker Supervisor
Boilermaker Worker
Boilers Mfg. Plant Worker
Boilertender
Bolier Tester
Braiser
Brake and Clutch Repairman
Brake Line and Shoe Installer
Brake Line and Shoe Repairman
Brake Mechanic
Brake Mechanics
Brake/Clutch Mfg Worker
Brakeman
Brick Mason
Brick Room Helper
Bricklayers
Bulldozer Operators
Burner
Butler Pit Operator
ByProducts Operator
Cabinetmakers
Cable Puller
Cable Splicer
Captain
Car Loader
Car Repairman
Car Shop Workers
Carder of Asbestos Yarn
Carpenter
Cast Ship Mixer
Caster
Caulker
Ceiling Tile Installer
Cell Renewal Leader
Cement Finisher
Cete Operator
Checker at Insulation Warehouse
Checkers, Examiners & Inspectors, Manufact.
Chemical Operator
Chemical Technicians
Chemical Worker
Chemist
Chief Engineer
Chief Operator in Pump Room
Chipper
Civil Engineer
Cleaner
Cleanup Man
Clothing Ironers and Pressers
Clutch Assembler
Coal Engineer
Combine Shop
Commercial Elect. Equiq.,Appliance Wkr
Compact Operator
Compound Mixer
Construction Crew
Construction Inspector
Construction Laborer
Construction Mechanic
Construction Worker
Cooker (pulp)
Coppersmith
Core Room Worker
CrackOff
Crane Operator
Crane Repairman
Crane, Derrick and Hoist Men
Crude Still Foreman
Crusher
Crusher Operator
Cutter
Deck Engine Mechanic
Deckhand
Demolition Worker
Design Engineer
Design Specialist
Die Cast Operator
Diesel Mechanic
Dishwasher
Dockman
Doff Crew
Draftsmen
Draw Twist
Drill Press Operatives
Drill Repairman
Driller
Dry Cleaner
Dry Dock
Dry Wall Taper
Dryer Foreman
Dryer Operator
Dryer Operator
Drywall Hanger
Drywall Tapers
Electric Power Linemen & Cable Men
Electric Tester
Electrical and Electronic Engineers
Electrical Inspector
Electrical Technician
Electricians
Electronic Mechanic
Electronic Technician
Elevator Installation & Service
Engine Fitter
Engine Maintenance Man
Engine Room Mechanic
Engine Room Steam Crew
Engine Room supervisor
Engine Room Wiper
Engineers
Engineman
Equipment Operator
Erector
Estimator
Excavating Machine Operators
Fabricator
Fettler Clay Plant (tends furnace)
Field Engineer
Field Operator Supervisor
Field Worker
Filers, Polishers, Sanders, Buffers
Final Construction Inspector
Fireman
Firewatcher
Fitter
Flame Cutter
Fleet Worker
Floor Hand
Floor Tile and Linoleum Layer
Foiler
Foremen
Forge Men and Hammer Men
Forger
Fork Lift Operator
Foundry Workers
Freight and Material handlers
Furnace Fireman
Furnace Helper
Furnace Installer
Furnace Machinist
Furnace Manufacturer
Furnace Men, Smelter-Men & Pourers
Furnace Worker
Galvinizer
Garage Workers and Gas Station Attendants
Gas Welder
Gauger
General Foreman
General Laborer
Generator/Transformer Mfg Worker
Glass Blower
Grinding Machine Operatives
Hairdressers and Cosmetologists
Head Operator
Heat Treater
Heating Technician
Heavy Equipment Mechanics
Heavy Equipment Operator
Heavy Mobile Equipment Mechanic
Helper
Hod Carrier
Hopper Loader
Hot Blast Man
Hot Top Maker
Household Appliances Installers and Mechanics
Household Residents of Exposed Workers
Hull Department Supervisor
Hull Foreman
Hull Maitenance Technician
HVAC Installer
HVAC Serviceman
Hydraulic mechanic
Industrial Engineer
Industrial Incinerator Worker
Industrial Plant Workers
Inspectors
Installer
Installer Refrigeration/HVAC equipment
Instrument Fitter
Instrument Technician
Insulation
Insulation Machinist
Insulator Helper
Insulators
Inventory Clerk
Iron Pourer
Iron Worker
Janitor
Job & Die Setters
Joiner
Kiln (Tender/Builder)
Kiln Operator
Kiln Worker
Lab Technician
Laboratory Technician
Laborers
Lagger
Lathe Operator
Lather
Lathers
Lay operator
Lead Gauger
Leader Man
Leadman
Licensed Electrical Engineer
Licensed Engineer
Liftman
Lineman
Loader
Loader
Locomotive Engineers
Loftsman
Longshoremen and Stevedores
Loom Fixers
Machine Operatives, Misc. Specified
Machine Operator
Machinist
Machinist Helper
Machinist Mates
Machinists
Magazine Operator
Maintenance Foreman
Maintenance
Maintenance Electrician
Maintenance Man
Maintenance Mechanic
Maintenance Supervisor
Maintenance Workers
Managers and Superintendents; Building
Manufacturing
Marine Bull Wiper
Marine Carpenter
Marine Electrician
Marine Engineer
Marine Machinist
Marine Painter
Marker
Mason
Masonry Workers
Material Analyst
Material Handler
Material Runner
Material Scheduler
Material Supervisor
Materials Clerk
Mechanic
Mechanic Repairman
Mechanic’s Helper
Mechanical Craftsman
Mechanical Engineer
Mechanical Fitter
Mechanics & Repairmen; Aircraft
Mechanics Mate
Melt Shop
Merchant Marine Seamen
Merchant Marines
Merchant Sea Chipper
Metal Cleaner
Metal Lather
Metal Lathers
Metallurgical Inspector
Mill Operator
Millman
Millwrights
Miner
Missile and Aircraft Production Workers
Mixing Operatives
Mold Loft Worker
Mold Maker
Mold Man
Molders
Molds Manufacturer
Moulder
Mud Man
Muller Operator
Naval Architect
Naval Engineer
Naval Plant Maintenance
Navy Personnel
Navy Yard Workers / Yardbirds
Neon Sign Manufacturer
Neon Signs Worker
Neon Tube Bender
Nozzle Setter
Nuclear Inspector
Nuclear Power Inspector
Officers, Pilots and Pursers; Ship
Oil burner Serviceman
Oil Field Worker
Oil Refinery Workers
Oiler
Open Hearth Worker
Operating Engineers
Operations Specialist
Operator of High Temp Machines
Ordnance Equipment Mechanic
Outside Machinist
Oven Operator
Oven/Furnace Mfg. Worker
Pack Hauler
Packer/Loader
Painters and Sculptors
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Palletizer
Papermill Workers
Paperworkers
Patcher
Pattern Maker
Personnel and Labor Relations Workers
Physical Tester
Piece Work Counter
Pipe Carrier
Pipe Coverers
Pipe Cutter
Pipe Fitter
Pipe Foreman
Pipe Grinder
Pipe Hanger
Pipe Insulator
Pipe Layer
Pipe Layer of Water and Sewer Lines
Pipe Racker
Pipe Tester
Pipe Welder
Pipecoverer
Pipefitter
Pipefitter’s helper
Pipefitters
Pipemill worker
Plant Operator
Plantworkers
Plasterer
Plasterers
Plater
Platerer Tender
Plumbers
Pneumatic Helper
Pneumatic Tool Operator
Poolman
Pot Fitter
Pot Operator
Pot Rebuilder
Pot Room Attendant (ironsteel)
Pot Room Production
Pot Tender
Power Engineer
Power Meter Installer
Power Plant Worker
Power Plant Workers
Powerhouse Employee
Powerhouse Laborer
Powerhouse Mechanic
Powerhouse Operator
Powerhouse Worker
Powerhouse Workers
Press Operator
Pressman
Process Controlman
Process Operator
Production Checker
Production Controller
Production Engineer
Production Operator
Production Worker
Pump Room Operator
Pumpman
Puncher
Pusher
Qualified Mechanic Engine Department
Quality Control Inspector
Quarterman
Radiological Technician
Railroad Workers
Reactor Plant Worker
Refinery Lab Technician
Refinery Laborer
Refinery Operator
Refrigeration Engineer
Residents of towns with former Asbestos Manufacturing Plants
Rice Parmer
Rigger
Rip Out
Ripout
Rivet Bulker
Riveter
Road Machine Operators
Rodman
Role Press Operator
Roll Turner
Rollers and Finishers
Roofers
Room Worker
Rosin Shed Worker
Rough Neck
Rough Necker
Roundhouse Worker
Roustabout
RR Car Construction Worker
RR Fire Box Installer
Runner
Rust Machine Operator
S/Y Worker
Sailors
Sailors and Deckhands
Sales Engineer
Salesman
Sampler
Sandblaster
Saw Operator
Sawyers
Scaffold Foreman
Scaleman
Scaler
Scarfer
Scheduler
Scrap Classifier
Senior Analyst
Senior Bay Foreman
Shake Out Operator
Shearman
Sheet Metal Mechanic
Sheet Metal Worker
Sheetmetal Fabricator
Sheetmetal Mechanic
Sheetmetal Supervisor
Sheetmetal Workers
Shift Foreman
Shift Operator
Ship cleaner
Ship Fitter
Ship Inspector
Ship Maintenance Mechanic
Ship Repair
Ship Repairman
Ship Room Operations
Ship Scaler
Ship Superintendent
Ship Supervisor
Ship Surveyor
Ship’s Inspector
Ship’s Test Operator
Shipbuilder
Shipfitters Clerk
Shipping
Shiptender
Shipwright
Shipyard Clerk
Shipyard Dump Keeper
Shipyard Laborer
Shipyard Tooler
Shipyard Workers
Shop Repairman
Shrinker
Sketcher
Skimmer
Slagger
Soundproofing Installer
Specifications Supervisor
Spinner Cutter
Spinner of Asbestos Cloths
Sprayer
Sprinkler Fitter
Sr. Design Specialist
Stationary Engineers
Steam Engineer
Steam Machinist
Steamfitters
Steel Checker
Steel Dipper
Steel Erector
Steel Pourer
Steel Worker
Steelfitter
Steelman
Steelworker
Stevedore
Still Cleaner
Stock Preparation
Stoker
Storekeeper
Storeroom Clerk
Stove Tender
Straightener
Striker
Stripheater
Structural Metal Craftsmen
Submarine Engineerman
Superintendant
Supervisor
Sweeper
Sweeper
Tacker
Tank Cleaner
Tank Tester
Tankerman
Tapers
Teachers: Elementary, College and University
Technicians
Telephone Installers and Repairmen
Test Engineer
Textile Operatives
Third Engineer
Third Operating Mechanic
Tile Layer
Tile Mechanic
Tile Setters
Tinner
Tinsmiths
Tire Cord Operations
Tool and Die Makers
Tool Control
Tool Maker
Tool Room Machinist
Tool Room Mechanic
Tow Motor Driver
Tower Crane Operator
Trackman
Tractor Operator
Transport man
Trouble Shooter
Truck Driver
Truck Loader
Turbine Boot
Turbine Mechanic
Turbine Tester
Turnaround Man
Turnaround/Production Service Operator
Turner
Utilityman
Ventilator
Vinyl Asbestos Floor Tiles Worker
Warehouse Man
Warehouseman,Stockman
Watch Foreman
Water Tender
Weavers
Weighmaster
Weld Checker
Welder Instructor
Welder’s Helper
Welders
Welding Foreman
Winding Operatives
Wiper
Wireman
Worker in Railroad Repair Shop
Working Foreman
XRay Operator
Yard Laborer
Zone Mechanic
Occupation Fields Exposed to Asbestos:
Aerospace/Aviation
Automotive
Construction
Electrical
Mechanical
Iron & Steel
Manufacturing
Military
Railroad
Shipyard
Textile
Utilities
Family Mesothelioma
Friends and family of workers exposed to asbestos are also at increased risk of developing mesothelioma. The extreme toxicity of asbestos fibers means industrial and trade workers’ families may develop mesothelioma through coming into contact with fibers and particles that adhered to the worker’s clothing, shoes, skin and hair. This type of second hand exposure to asbestos is known as paraoccupational exposure. Since microscopic asbestos fibers can cling to almost anything with which they come in contact, it is possible for someone with asbestos on them to track it into their home.
