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Asbestos in the workplace puts workers at risk for a number of serious health problems including:
- Lung cancer
- Mesothelioma – a form of cancer that invades the lining of the chest and abdomen
- Asbestosis – lung inflammation and build-up that can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, and permanent lung damage
- Lung cancer
- Colorectal and gastrointestinal cancers, and
- Abnormalities (like thickening and calcification) in the lining of the chest cavity
The dangers of asbestos have been clear for decades now. Even short-term exposure to significant levels of asbestos on the job can lead to breathing problems, coughing, and shortness of breath. This is because the asbestos fibres that have been inhaled can remain in the lungs for a very long time. Therefore, long-term exposure to asbestos in the workplace can be life threatening, especially for older people who may have spent decades in the workplace before any safety measures were implemented.
Jobs With A Higher Risk Of Asbestos Exposure
Exposure to asbestos is still quite common (even necessary) in some lines of work. Here are some industries with significant levels of workplace asbestos exposure:
- Construction, renovation, and demolition of commercial and residential buildings
- Shipbuilding
- Paper mills
- Mining
- Heating and cooling equipment repair
- Automotive repair (especially brake and clutch repair)
- Manufacture of products containing asbestos
- Roofing
- Janitorial jobs in buildings that contain deteriorating asbestos
On-The-Job Protection From Asbestos Exposure In The Workplace
Workplace safety agencies are supposed to carefully regulate and monitor asbestos exposure on the job. Here are some of the safety recommendations:
- Training for employees who will be working with and around asbestos
- Properly ventilated workspaces
- Monitoring of employees for asbestos exposure levels
- Warning signs and instructions in areas where asbestos-related work is performed
- Protective clothing like coveralls, gloves, foot coverings, face shields, and goggles
- Protective equipment like respirators
- Showers and other post-exposure precautions
- Medical examinations for certain workers who are exposed to high levels of asbestos
The best way to reduce or eliminate workplace asbestos exposure problems is to seek an asbestos analysis and removal company. Templar Environmental Services can make your factory, office or warehouse a safe place to work in again. Certified inspectors use the latest equipment to determine the extent of your problem and formulate an effective asbestos removal plan. We can help reduce your liabilities.
Call Templar Environmental Services today at 647-694-4279 for all your Toronto asbestos removal needs.