Is an employer responsible for protecting you from asbestos?

On Behalf of | Mar 23, 2021 | Asbestos |

Most adults throughout Illinois depend on an employer to keep them safe at work. Keeping employees safe against the threat of robberies, accidents, and other concerns is important. With that said, you’ll also want to consider if the company you work for is keeping you safe from asbestos.

What is asbestos?

Asbestos is typically found in soil and rock. Due to its ability to withstand heat and overall strength, asbestos was once used to construct many residential and commercial buildings. Over time, people began realizing the dangers of asbestos.

If someone or something disturbs this material, it can release dangerous asbestos into the air. Breathing in asbestos fibers primarily damages the lungs by scarring tissue in this area of the body. Exposure to asbestos can also increase the risk of someone getting lung or stomach cancer.

How should employers protect you from asbestos?

Considering how dangerous asbestos is, it’s imperative for an employer to avoid having unprotected employees exposed to this material. First, an employer needs to have a professional assess the amount of asbestos within their buildings or job sites. It’s also important to ensure that a company restricts access to any areas that might have high levels of asbestos.

It’s also essential for an employer to utilize proper hazard signs to avoid any exposure to asbestos fibers. Another way employers can prevent asbestos exposure is by installing commercial ventilation systems that include HEPA filters. If an employee must be around asbestos, they must have personal protective equipment including respirators and anything else deemed appropriate.

As you can see, asbestos is an incredibly dangerous material. Therefore, it’s an employer’s right to protect their workers from asbestos. If an employer exposed you to asbestos, it might be time to contact a lawyer.