Historic buildings are often protected from demolition and appearance-altering upgrades. In many cases, these buildings contain design features and materials that are products of a bygone era.
Many such buildings contain asbestos, which was commonly used in everything from flame-retardant ceiling materials to insulation. While modern building codes and production standards acknowledge the dangers of asbestos, historical buildings erected before asbestos restrictions may contain materials that expose workers, including maintenance workers, government employees, and teachers, to this carcinogen.
What options do workers have if they suspect there is asbestos present in the historic buildings where they work?
Check for a remediation plan
Generally speaking, organizations operating in buildings where there is asbestos present should have plans to contain or remediate the asbestos. In some cases, those plans become outdated and may no longer adequately ensure the safety of the people present in the building.
Looking into any existing asbestos mitigation plan can help workers determine the next steps to take. They may need to contact those managerial or facility maintenance positions to inquire about updating the mitigation plan.
What if asbestos leads to illness?
Unfortunately, the failure to contain or remediate asbestos can have devastating medical consequences. Renovations or age-related wear may expose or break down materials that contain asbestos, exposing those in the building to this dangerous substance, and putting them at risk of illness. Workers exposed to asbestos could develop mesothelioma or lung cancer, along with other serious conditions.
Those illnesses may require aggressive treatment that may interfere with the ability to work. Those sickened due to asbestos exposure in the workplace may have grounds for a compensation claim, especially if their employer or the building’s owner failed to maintain an updated asbestos mitigation plan.
Reviewing the information about asbestos in a building, and any medical consequences that asbestos can cause, can help workers understand their rights. Those sickened due to the presence of asbestos in historic buildings have legal rights. A conversation with an attorney can help people understand and make use of those rights.