Asbestos Exposure of Machine Operators

Machine operators have historically been at a high risk of asbestos exposure. The equipment and machinery used in this field often contained asbestos, particularly before safety regulations in the 1980s. Many machine operators are now diagnosed with illnesses stemming from this past exposure.

Machine Operators and the Threat of Asbestos Exposure

Mechanisms of Asbestos Exposure for Machine Operators

Asbestos was widely used in machinery, equipment, and construction materials for its fireproofing and reinforcement qualities. Machine operators encountered asbestos in these materials during construction, demolition, maintenance, and repair activities.

Specifically, machinists frequently came into contact with asbestos when replacing or scraping old asbestos gaskets, a process that released airborne fibers. These fibers, when inhaled or ingested, could embed in bodily organs, leading to asbestos-related diseases.

Current Regulations and Residual Exposure Risks

Although U.S. laws now restrict asbestos use in construction and machinery, risks persist from older equipment and materials. According to the ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry), Approximately 27 million American workers encountered aerosolized asbestos fibers from 1940 to 1979 in the United States. Some of the equipment that machine operators used are still lingering with asbestos today.

Asbestos-Containing Products and Machine Operators

Machine operators often dealt with numerous asbestos-containing products, such as:

  • Adhesives
  • Asbestos blankets
  • Brake linings and pads
  • Cement
  • Drywall
  • Firebrick
  • Gaskets
  • Insulation
  • Pumps
  • Roofing
  • Valves

These items were integrated into machinery due to their ability to withstand high temperatures.

Prevalent Asbestos Exposure Sites in the Industry

Common exposure sites included construction areas, factories, industrial plants, power plants, and steel mills. In these settings, especially before the 1970s, safety measures for asbestos were minimal, and awareness of its health effects was limited.

Machine Operators: A High-Risk Group

A wide array of machine operator roles are particularly at risk for asbestos exposure, including:

  • Bulldozer operators
  • Construction workers
  • Crane operators
  • Drill press operators
  • Factory workers
  • Freight and material handlers
  • Grinding machine operators
  • Ironworkers
  • Millwrights
  • Mixing operators
  • Operating engineers
  • Power plant workers
  • Road machine operators
  • Sheet metal workers
  • Shipyard workers
  • Tool and die makers

Family members of these workers could also experience secondhand exposure through asbestos-contaminated clothing.