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Introduction

Although the risks of asbestos exposure and its relation to Mesothelioma have been known since the late 1950s and 1960s* asbestos was still widely used in many industries until the late 1970s, and later to a lesser extent. Unfortunately, despite the apparent dangers some employers did not provide adequate protection or take measures to prevent exposure.

The following is a list of occupations known to have put workers at risk of asbestos exposure. The list is not complete and final and you may have worked in a different occupation and experienced exposure to asbestos.

  • Carpenters and Joiners 
  • Boiler, Pipe and Heating Workers 
  • Shipbuilding/Shipyard Workers 
  • Navy Seamen 
  • Dockworkers 
  • Laggers and Sprayers 
  • Mechanics 
  • Plumbers and Gasfitters 
  • Roofers 
  • Construction and Demolition Workers 
  • Painters and Decorators 
  • Electricians 
  • Railway Workers and Coach Construction 
  • Engineers 
  • Power Station Workers 
  • Laboratory and Research 
  • Asbestos Manufacture and Sales

Exposure was not limited to those who worked directly with asbestos. Mesothelioma can develop following para-occupational exposure. This means asbestos being taken outside the workplace and perhaps into the home on the work clothes of someone working with it, or following environmental exposure, for example, living near an asbestos factory.

Sources

*1958, Van der Schoot, Mesothelioma in asbestos workers

1960, Wagner JC, Slegges CA and Marchand P. Diffuse pleural mesothelioma and asbestos exposure in the North Western Cape Province, BR J Ind Med 17, 260-271

1960, Keal, East London factory workers

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