Roofers And Slaters Exposed To Asbestos Dangers

Exposure to asbestos, in various forms and related ailments thereafter, is a cause for much concern, especially amongst industrial workers whose occupations expose them to the hazards of asbestos pollution. It is of course certain industries and their workers who are more at risk than others. Our discussion here centers mainly on roofers and slaters who are at risk of being exposed to asbestos pollution.

Where Was Asbestos Used?

A highly favored material for building purposes, Asbestos was widely used in most of the old constructions till the eighties. Its properties of heat resistance and impermeability led to wide spread use of the material in the mechanical, construction, and building sectors. As a result, the construction business has the largest number of professions related to such exposure. Our current subjects of discussion, ‘the roofers and slaters’, are a casualty of this industry.

The roofer or slater, as is obvious from his title, is a trained carpenter who does jobs of installation, or replacing and repairing roofs, both in commercial and residential buildings.  Apart from the obvious height related hazards of a roofer’s job, this is a profession identified as prone to asbestos pollution. Materials used by roofers, which include handling of asbestos etc, are dangerous to their health. Asbestos affects the lungs over a prolonged period and causes cancerous deaths termed as mesothelioma.

When Does Asbestos Exposure Occur?

Most roofers and slaters are often exposed to asbestos fibers while dismantling old roofs made of asbestos sheets, or even while mechanically handling newly installed sheets made of asbestos. It is mostly during the remodeling and demolition activities that the pollution occurs and the workers are affected.

Construction workers or slaters working on removal of an old roof are more at risk since it usually involves ripping off materials containing asbestos, giving rise to airborne fibers.  While doing their work, often workers are not adequately equipped, or at times even if they are the dust particles in the air can cause enough damage to lead to cancer.

Risks of Being Exposed to Asbestos- Mesothelioma

There are thousands of such workers who have died from Mesothelioma caused due to their work related hazards. What is more alarming is the fact that due to the time taken by the disease to be affected, there are many who are not aware of its potential dangers.

For asbestos workers, world wide international unions and other bodies like state labor unions provide special training and certification for asbestos abatement work. Many other unions provide training for their members. In case you are anxious about your own health problems, do contact your union or the Building and Construction Trades Department.

The dreaded cancerous growth called Mesothelioma is the biggest reason for occupation-induced cancer. What is more worrying is the fact that the statistical figures are going up, while a lot of other industrially induced cancers are on a decline.