Insulator/Lagger
Insulator and lagger (UK terminology) are terms that describe the construction workers who specialize in the installation and repair of insulating materials. Materials used to insulate include cork, polyurethane and fiberglass. Insulation is used not only in building walls, but also around pipes, boilers, processing vats, ducts, generators, and HVAC systems to keep the liquids and gases at a regulated temperature and protected from fire. Unfortunately, because many of the building materials used by insulators contained asbestos, some have suffered workplace asbestos exposure and the resulting health problems.
Asbestos building materials can release fibers and dust into the air when disturbed. When inhaled, an asbestos exposure can lead to a number of health problems like asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Insulators and Laggers at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Insulators, who worked from about 1940 to 1980, are at the highest risk for asbestos exposure because, as mentioned above, a number of the building materials used during this time period contained asbestos. In fact, insulation was the product that often contained the highest levels of asbestos, with concentrations sometimes reaching 50%. Asbestos was used as a key ingredient in these products for its resistance to heat, electrical and chemical damage and the benefits of sound absorption and tensile strength.
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Insulating Methods Involving Asbestos Products
Asbestos insulation was applied in various forms including as sheets, foam, fibers, or paint. There were different methods for the application of asbestos insulation as well. It could be sprayed on, painted on, blown in, covered over pipes, nailed to walls, or poured into cracks and crevices between walls. All these methods have the potential to disturb asbestos fibers. Even workers who did not work directly with these materials are put at risk because the microscopic asbestos fibers can float in the air for long periods of time.
For a more exhaustive list of asbestos products, check out our asbestos containing products page.
Modern Workers are Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s constructions workers, including insulators, continue to face the risks associated with asbestos exposure. It has been estimated that 1.3 million workers in the construction industry are still exposed to asbestos annually. Installers need to remain aware of the insulation in buildings that were constructed before 1980. Also, although the United States began regulating asbestos in the 1970’s, it has not been banned entirely. Two-thirds of the modern asbestos-containing products are construction materials, although they are typically labeled as such.
Often modern insulators are not taught the proper safety procedures or given the required equipment to protect themselves from the hazards of asbestos. A basic precaution is wearing a ventilator or safety mask to avoid inhaling dust when asbestos may be present. Insulators should also be educated on the identification of asbestos containing products and the proper methods of handling disposal within their particular jurisdiction.
Were You Exposed to Asbestos While Working as an Insulator? A Mesothelioma Attorney May Be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time working as an insulator seek a full physical evaluation by a medical doctor. Mesothelioma, a rare and aggressive cancer caused by asbestos exposure, often takes 15-40 years to manifest and the life expectancy of a victim is around a year post-diagnosis. Thus, it is important to catch the disease in its early stages. At-risk workers should pay close attention to any mesothelioma symptoms which include fluid in the lungs, chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma and believe you were exposed to asbestos as an insulator or lagger, you may be entitled to financial compensation from a mesothelioma settlement. To learn more about your legal options and if a mesothelioma attorney may be able to help, please contact us for a free case evaluation.