Q&A: Have I been exposed to a dangerous level of asbestos?
Question by Ryan: Have I been exposed to a dangerous level of asbestos?
I work for a university, in the dining services department. My unit is closed during the summer, and our employees are tasked elsewhere within the university at random. I was transferred to demolition. We were in a building on campus removing carpet, and some tiles were under the carpet. The carpet pulled up the tiles. The project supervisor told me to just break the tile off of the carpet. The next day, the tiles were tested and came back “hot” for asbestos. I probably broke something like twenty tiles, bare handed and without a respirator.
The next day, we were told to remove the door assemblies from old fire doors filled with asbestos…again, no protection. Every time a screw came out there was a white puff of dust. They offer no sort of training on the matter, and it’s way outside of my work experience. Was I exposed to anything harmful?
Best answer:
Answer by Ann-Marie
1) Your employers have breached the health and safety regulations and broken the law regarding asbestos removal and could be prosecuted. As asbestos should only be handled and removed by asbestos removal companies!
2) You have obviously had some exposure, but it is still minimal compared with someone who has been exposed to it throughout their working life. Asbestos related disease such as mesothelioma and asbestosis has a higher incidence rate among people with long exposure. Although I must admit – that your chance of inhaling asbestos fibres and these not being harmful to your health cannot be totally ruled out as just one fibre lodged in your lung can cause health problems at a later date – I.e. 10-40 years later!
3) I don’t think you should ignore what has happened as you have clearly been exposed to a hazardous material. Maybe you should ring the health and safety officials and ask for their advice. Apparently – only recently an employer asked 2 of his staff to remove a lot of asbestos from his work place. He knew that safe removal would have set him back for thousands of pounds and broke health and safety regulations. He got prosecuted for breaking the law and was presented with a very hefty fine and threat of imprisonment.
Conclusion: There is a slight chance that you may have inhaled fibres (some can be coughed up and released from the lungs) and your employers should not get away with what has happened to you as they have clearly put your health at risk.
I have included our website for more info on asbestos.
Hope this helps,
Ann.
Give your answer to this question below!
JVZoo Product Feed
