According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, asbestos is defined as being “naturally occurring minerals that are resistant to heat and corrosion.” Due to the accessibility and durability of asbestos, materials containing the minerals were and continue to be used in many building and automotive materials. As people became aware of the dangers related to the exposure and inhalation of asbestos, federal agencies such as OSHA took steps to protect workers.
Sadly, likely millions of U.S. workers were exposed to dangerous asbestos materials prior to the enaction of asbestos safety policies. When exposed to asbestos, it can take decades before an individual may notice or experience any adverse health effects. It can, therefore, sometimes be difficult to trace when or where the exposure occurred.
Individuals who work in certain dustries are more prone to being exposed to and suffering the ill effects of asbestos. One man, who for years worked as a carpenter and at Texaco Corp., recently filed an asbestos lawsuit. According to the lawsuit, throughout the course of his employment, the plaintiff contends he was exposed to asbestos materials which lead to the development of lung cancer. Companies named as defendants in the lawsuit include Ford Motor Co. and Caterpillar Inc. The man is seeking to recover $50,000 in damages.
U.S. workers who were unknowingly exposed to dangerous asbestos materials may subsequently suffer adverse health effects including lung cancer, including mesothelioma, and other respiratory issues. These individuals are forced to endure the emotional and physical pain associated with their medical conditions and deserve compensation from those parties who failed to warn or protect them against asbestos exposure.
Source: The Madison-St. Clair Record, “Asbestos suit filed in St. Clair County by former Texaco worker,” May 22, 2014U.S. Labor Department, “OSHA: Asbestos,” 2014
Kulingana na Usimamizi wa Usalama na Afya ya Kazi, asbestos hufafanuliwa kuwa madini ya asili ambayo ni sugu kwa joto na kutu.Kutokana na upatikanaji na uimara wa asbestos, vifaa vinavyojumuisha madini vilikuwa na vinaendelea kutumiwa katika vifaa vingi vya ujenzi na magari. Kwa kuwa watu walianza kutambua hatari zinazohusiana na kuambukizwa na kuvuta asbestos, mashirika ya shirikisho kama vile OSHA yalichukua hatua za kuwalinda wafanyakazi. Kwa kusikitisha, huenda mamilioni ya wafanyakazi wa Marekani waliathiriwa na vitu hatari vya asbestos kabla ya sheria za usalama za asbestos kutolewa. Wakati wa kuambukizwa asbestos, inaweza kuchukua miongo kadhaa kabla ya mtu kugundua au kupata athari zozote mbaya kwa afya. Kwa hiyo, nyakati nyingine inaweza kuwa vigumu kujua ni lini au wapi mtu huyo aliathiriwa. Watu wanaofanya kazi katika viwanda fulani huathiriwa zaidi na athari mbaya za amianti. Mwanamume mmoja, ambaye kwa miaka mingi alifanya kazi akiwa seremala na katika Texaco Corp., hivi majuzi alitoa kesi ya asbestos. Katika kesi hiyo, mwombaji alisema kuwa wakati wa kazi yake, alikuwa akipatikana na asbestos ambayo ilisababisha kansa ya mapafu. Kampuni zilizoitwa kama washtakiwa katika kesi hiyo ni pamoja na Ford Motor Co. na Caterpillar Inc. Mwanamume huyo anatafuta fidia ya dola 50,000 kwa uharibifu. Wafanyakazi wa Marekani ambao bila kujua waligunduliwa na vifaa hatari vya asbestos wanaweza baadaye kuathiriwa na athari mbaya za afya ikiwa ni pamoja na kansa ya mapafu, pamoja na mesothelioma, na matatizo mengine ya kupumua. Watu hawa wanalazimika kuvumilia maumivu ya kihisia na kimwili yanayohusiana na hali zao za matibabu na wanastahili fidia kutoka kwa wale pande ambao walishindwa kuwaonya au kuwalinda dhidi ya mfiduo wa asbestos. "Mwanzoni mwa wiki hii, ripoti ya ""The Madison-St Clair Record"" iliripoti kwamba kesi ya asbestos ilifanywa katika Kaunti ya St Clair na mfanyakazi wa zamani wa Texaco, Mei 22, 2014." Idara ya Kazi, OSHA: Asbestos, 2014