Asbestos Exposure
Construction workers are most likely to be exposed to asbestos during demolition or remodeling of older buildings built before 1980. Most of these old buildings contain asbestos insulation, or other asbestos containing materials (ACM).
Impact of Asbestos
Asbestos is well-recognized as a health hazard and is highly regulated. Although asbestos is no longer used as an insulation material, workers may still be exposed to asbestos during demolition or remodeling jobs.
Asbestos may also still be found in some taping compounds, asbestos cement, pipes, and floor tiles. Vinyl asbestos floor tiles may be as much as 15% to 20% asbestos, which is released when old flooring is removed.
Asbestos removal can only be done by specially trained asbestos workers. Significant exposure to asbestos can cause breathing problems, lung cancer, and cancer of the lung lining many years after exposure.
Here are the occupations listed in OSHA 1926.1101, Asbestos, that commonly have exposure to asbestos in the construction industry:
- Asbestos Abatement Workers are involved with asbestos removal and abatement activities.
- Construction Workers may encounter asbestos-containing materials during activities like demolition, renovation, or maintenance.
- Insulation Workers, Roofers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, Electricians, Carpenters, HVAC Technicians, Masonry Workers, and Painters may work with or near asbestos-containing materials (ACM).
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1-5. When are workers most likely to encounter exposure to asbestos?
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