Construction workers, firefighters and shipbuilders are just a few of the many workers who are exposed to asbestos daily. Asbestos is a dangerous material that, when exposed, can lead to serious medical conditions. Many people who are exposed to asbestos end up suffering mesothelioma and lung cancer.
While direct asbestos exposure often happens at the workplace, workers may be unknowingly exposing their family members to secondary asbestos exposure. Secondary asbestos exposure can be just as dangerous as direct exposure. Secondary asbestos exposure can happen when asbestos fibers are carried on a worker from their workplace to their home.
Because no amount of asbestos exposure is safe, workers should be aware of how they can keep their families safe. Here is what you should know.
What should workers do before they get home?
Workers who understand the risk of secondary asbestos exposure can protect their families. Workers who frequently work with or around asbestos need to be cautious about how asbestos enters the home. Small asbestos fibers can stick to clothing, hair and work equipment. When a worker comes home, they may transfer these fibers to others by physically interacting with loved ones, sitting on shared furniture or in vehicles or washing contaminated clothing with other clothes.
To reduce the risk of secondary asbestos exposure, workers should follow workplace safety procedures. Workers may be required to wear protective clothing and respirators. Clothing worn when working with asbestos may need to be washed outside the home.
Employers need to take multiple precautions to ensure that workers have personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep asbestos from getting on their clothing, shoes or skin. By doing this, they can prevent them from transferring asbestos fibers outside their work area and expose others to them. Those who have been harmed by asbestos exposure should learn about their legal options for compensation.
