Asbestos Jobsites
Asbestos exposure on job sites poses a serious health risk. It is the only known cause of a rare but deadly cancer known as mesothelioma and can increase workers’ risks of many other serious health conditions, including lung cancer.
Asbestos exposure is most common on construction sites and heavy industry jobsites, including shipyards, power plants, and oil refineries. If you believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, the expert lawyers at Oslund Udo Little are here to help. Contact us today to speak with an attorney and learn about your compensation options.
What Is Asbestos and How Does It Affect Workers?
High-Risk Job Sites for Asbestos Exposure
Workers Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Legal Rights for Workers Exposed to Asbestos
What To Do if You’ve Been Exposed to Asbestos at Work
How To Protect Yourself From Asbestos at Work
- Asbestos is a mineral compound widely used by numerous industries throughout most of the 20th century, exposing countless workers.
- Asbestos exposure on job sites can cause workers to develop mesothelioma and other health conditions, often years after initial exposure.
- Workers in construction, shipbuilding, power generation, and other heavy industries are at exceptionally high risk.
- If you have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related condition, you may qualify for compensation.
What Is Asbestos and How Does It Affect Workers?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber that occurs naturally in rock and soil. Because it is highly durable and heat-resistant, industries have used it extensively in building materials, brake and transmission constructions, furnaces, and many other products.
Asbestos is not dangerous when stagnant, but disturbing the material releases its tiny fibers into the air. Asbestos exposure happens when those nearby breathe or ingest these fibers. The fibers become lodged in bodily tissue, and the body is unable to break them down. The reaction causes inflammation and scarring and can lead to catastrophic diseases over time. Mesothelioma is one of the most well-known health effects of asbestos exposure. Learn more about this condition on our resource page.
Common Health Risks From Asbestos Exposure
Years after a worker’s initial exposure to asbestos, they may start to show symptoms of health problems. Those conditions may include:
- Mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer that starts in the lining of bodily organs, such as the lungs. It most commonly develops in the lining of the lungs, with symptoms including persistent cough, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
- Asbestosis is scarring of the lung tissue from long-term inhalation of asbestos fibers. The condition prevents the lungs from expanding normally, limiting the amount of oxygen a patient can absorb.
- Lung cancer can develop from abnormal cell growth due to long-term buildup of asbestos fibers in the lungs. Some people develop asbestos-related cancer without a smoking history.
Other asbestos-related diseases in the workplace include laryngeal, stomach, ovarian, and colon cancers.
High-Risk Job Sites for Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure on job sites was common across the Pacific Northwest. Many specific workplaces have a known history of asbestos exposure, and employees at many of these sites have come forward with asbestos-related diseases.
We have spent years compiling information about the region’s most high-risk workplaces so those affected can become aware and learn about their options.
Washington Asbestos
Job Sites
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Bremerton: The shipyard widely used asbestos in shipbuilding during the 20th century for its insulating and fireproofing properties. Workers had heightened exposure, increasing their risk of asbestos-related illnesses.
- Todd Shipyards, Seattle: This shipyard utilized asbestos for its heat-resistant qualities in marine equipment, building materials, and more. Several former employees have sought compensation for mesothelioma.
- Centralia Power Plant: Asbestos was used for thermal insulation. While removal efforts occurred between 1985 and 2000, exposure risk remained, especially for workers pre-1985.
- Hanford Site: Established in 1943 for nuclear weapon production, the Hanford Nuclear Site used asbestos-containing items extensively. Decades later, asbestos was found in various locations, exposing many workers.
- Skagit Oil Refineries: Brought jobs to Skagit County in the 1950s and exposed workers to asbestos in refinery parts, equipment, and building materials.
- Cowlitz County Paper Mills: Relied on asbestos in machinery for fireproofing and durability up to the 1980s.
- Crown Zellerbach Paper Mill, Camas: Used asbestos extensively in equipment and insulation, exposing workers to the carcinogen.
- St. Regis Pulp & Paper Mill: The mill incorporated asbestos in the production of paper due to its fire-retardant nature. Workers who maintained the asbestos-insulated systems faced regular exposure.
- ALCOA Aluminum Smelter, Wenatchee: This was a significant asbestos job site in the early 20th century. It used asbestos in building materials, machinery, and protective clothing. Despite knowledge of its dangers, its use persisted for decades.
- Weyerhaeuser Paper Mill, Longview: Like other mills, it used asbestos for insulation during pulping and boiling processes. Workers often interacted directly with asbestos, and the mill’s construction materials were often asbestos-containing.
Oregon Asbestos
Job Sites
- Swan Island Shipyard, Portland: A significant West Coast shipbuilding center, this shipyard extensively used asbestos during WWII, exposing many workers.
- Zidell Marine Corporation, Portland: This shipbuilding and dismantling facility handled ships containing asbestos components, putting workers at risk.
- Willamette Industries: This paper and forest products manufacturer used asbestos in machinery, risking worker exposure.
- Boise Cascade Paper Mill: This paper and wood products manufacturer contained machinery with asbestos components, and maintenance on that equipment posed asbestos exposure risks.
- Georgia-Pacific Paper Mill: A leading paper company, it used asbestos in equipment, posing risks during repairs.
- Portland General Electric: An electric utility company where asbestos insulation in facilities exposed workers.
- Trojan Nuclear Power Plant, Rainier: Oregon’s only commercial nuclear plant with asbestos use, particularly around maintenance tasks.
- BP Refinery in Portland (formerly ARCO): Oil refinery where asbestos materials heightened exposure risks for workers near equipment.
- Rhone-Poulenc Chemicals, Portland: This chemical plant used asbestos extensively, putting production and maintenance workers at risk.
- Oregon Steel Mills, Portland: Steel facility where asbestos insulation exposed workers near high-temperature operations.
- Umatilla Army Depot: This military site used asbestos in construction and vehicles, posing risks to military and civilian personnel.
- Union Pacific Railroad: This railroad company exposed workers to asbestos in trains, especially in repair and maintenance.
- Southern Pacific Railroad: Another major railroad, it used asbestos in train components, risking worker exposure.
Industries With High Asbestos Exposure Risks
The Pacific Northwest has been a popular location for construction and power generation industries. As a result, many area residents and their families suffered asbestos exposure. The highest risks are in sectors such as:
- Construction: Asbestos was incorporated into many types of building materials for years. Today, asbestos exposure on job sites is still a risk for construction workers who work in older buildings, especially among demolition professionals.
- Shipbuilding: As an effective insulator, asbestos was common in shipbuilding materials for many years. Large-scale sites such as the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard pose an exceptionally high risk, especially for those who have worked with or near heating and insulation systems.
- Power plants: The Centralia Power Plant in Lewis County, Washington, used asbestos thermal insulation to prevent fires. Workers at this and similar plants may have ingested or inhaled asbestos while operating or maintaining machinery.
- Oil refineries: These facilities used asbestos extensively to prevent combustion and protect workers from the extreme heat of the refining process. Cleaning or repairing asbestos-containing parts would release particles into the air, exposing nearby workers.
Although asbestos use was widespread in these industries, it is not a complete list of exposure sites. Talk to a lawyer if you believe you suffered asbestos exposure at work.
Workers Most at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Prolonged contact with asbestos-containing materials increases the likelihood of developing a related illness. High-risk occupations for asbestos exposure include:
- Electricians: Due to its fire-resistant properties, asbestos was a common component in electrical wiring and systems until the 1990s. Electricians who work on older buildings may still encounter asbestos on job sites.
- Pipefitters: Because of its insulating properties, asbestos was a key component in gaskets, pipe joint compounds, cement adhesives, and valve rings. Pipefitters and plumbers may also have suffered exposure when cutting through asbestos-containing roofing or siding sheets, which often protect building pipes.
- HVAC workers: Asbestos is common in older heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. HVAC professionals working in schools, hospitals, commercial properties, and residential homes built before the 1980s are at risk of exposure.
- Metal workers: The metal production industry used asbestos as an insulator until the 1980s, exposing many foundry and smelter professionals. There was even asbestos in personal protective equipment, such as gloves, jackets, and aprons.
These are some of the highest-risk occupations for asbestos exposure, but it is not a complete list. If you believe your work has led to an asbestos-related illness, speak to an attorney as soon as possible.
How Asbestos Exposure Happens on the Job
Asbestos is safe when the materials containing it remain intact. However, it becomes dangerous when the materials break down and the mineral’s toxic fibers become airborne. Asbestos fibers are released into the air in a couple of ways. Sometimes, the material breaks down from age or ordinary wear and tear. In other cases, the fibers are released in the normal course of work with the asbestos-containing material. For example, a construction worker might cut into a piece of drywall, or a mechanic might shave a brake drum as part of the resurfacing process.
Asbestos fibers enter the air around the worker, who inhales or ingests them. These fibers stick to the mesothelium, the membrane protecting the lung. Over time, this process leads to inflammation and scarring of the mesothelial cells or the development of tumors.
Legal Rights for Workers Exposed to Asbestos
Prospective clients often ask us, “Can I file a claim for asbestos exposure at work?”
If you have developed an asbestos-related illness, you are likely eligible to file a claim. You can if you have suffered harm and received a diagnosis.
Some companies responsible for asbestos exposure have filed for bankruptcy. They established asbestos trust funds to compensate victims of asbestos-related illnesses. You may be eligible to file a claim with one or more of these trust funds.
If you have mesothelioma or another asbestos-related illness but aren’t sure where you were exposed, our attorneys can help. See our guide on how to file a claim for step-by-step information on how the process works.
What To Do if You've Been Exposed to Asbestos at Work
If you know you have been exposed to asbestos, document it thoroughly as soon as possible. Record when and where the exposure occurred and what safety protocols were in place, if any. Report the exposure to OSHA and the appropriate state agency.
Seek medical attention if you have any symptoms. Even if you don’t have a cough, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms, see a doctor, as asbestos-related diseases can affect other body systems. Asbestos-related diseases also have very long latency periods, so symptoms can take decades to surface.
Contact an attorney as soon as you have a diagnosis. You must file within your state’s statute of limitations. Washington’s statute of limitations is three years from the date you developed or discovered your illness. In Oregon, you have two years for injury claims and three years for wrongful death. For mesothelioma and other asbestos-related illness claims, the statute of limitations typically begins at diagnosis.
Oslund Udo Little Has Recovered Millions for Those Exposed to Asbestos on the Job
At Oslund Udo Little, our experienced mesothelioma attorneys have negotiated multiple six- and seven-figure settlements and verdicts in asbestos lawsuits.
In 2022, we secured a $30 million verdict for the family of a worker who died from mesothelioma decades after his exposure in the 1970s. Also, in a landmark secondhand exposure case, we won a $1.1 million jury verdict for an 89-year-old Washington woman who developed mesothelioma from asbestos on her husband’s work clothing.
How To Protect Yourself From Asbestos at Work
Although the risk of occupational asbestos exposure is now lower than it was, it is still a concern for demolition workers, those working in older buildings, and those handling older materials.
OSHA has implemented safety regulations for employers, and understanding these can help you protect yourself. Wear PPE when working in areas with known quantities of asbestos, and do not eat or drink near these areas.
Follow these guidelines even if the concentration is below the permissible exposure limit or PEL. There is no risk-free level of asbestos exposure.
Employer Responsibilities for Asbestos Safety
Asbestos regulations for employers exist if there is a chance that exposure levels exceed the PEL, which is 0.1 fibers per cubic centimeter of air in an eight-hour workday. Employers must monitor potential risk areas and minimize concentrations as much as possible, using respiratory protection as a supplement when the risk cannot be below PEL.
If a workplace exposes any employee above the PEL, employees must provide asbestos training before work and annually thereafter.
Resources for Asbestos-Exposed Workers
Under OSHA rules, asbestos exposure is monitored in the workplace to ensure employee safety. Frequency and techniques depend on the industry.
If you have been exposed to asbestos, resources are available. Here are a few to get you started:
- Medical information:
- American Cancer Society
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- American Lung Association
- Financial resources:
- Legal assistance:
- Medical information:
VA Benefits for Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
If your exposure happened during active-duty military service, you may qualify for benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
To file a claim, you’ll need service records documenting your work and medical records stating your condition. Your doctor must also confirm a link between your condition and service-related exposure.
Get Help Now – Contact an Asbestos Lawyer
Filing a claim or an asbestos exposure lawsuit can be challenging, but the experienced and knowledgeable asbestos attorneys at Oslund Udo Little are here to help. We leverage years of expertise representing asbestos exposure victims in the Pacific Northwest and have achieved transformative results for many patients and their families.
Contact us online or call 206-957-9510 in Washington and 503-447-6230 in Oregon to speak with an attorney today.
