Mason/Bricklayer
Masons and bricklayers have the important responsibility of creating structures made from stone, brick, and concrete. Their work involves the preparation of the work site, the placement of the stones/bricks, and the smoothing and finishing of the surfaces with trowels, floats, and screeds for aesthetic appeal. Unfortunately, in the past, some of the building materials used by masons contained asbestos, so some masons have suffered occupational asbestos exposure and are now experiencing the resulting health problems. Workplace asbestos exposure is one of the most common exposure types because 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 including asbestosis and the following cancers: mesothelioma, lung, esophageal, gastrointestinal, laryngeal, and pharyngeal.
Masons at High Risk for Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Masons, who worked from around 1940 to 1980, are at the greatest risk for asbestos exposure because, as mentioned above, a variety of their work materials during this time period contained asbestos. Asbestos fibers were often added to stones, bricks, cement sheets, and even mixed into mortar. Asbestos, inexpensive at the time, was mixed with these materials to improve durability, thermal stability, and resistance to fire, especially in areas where extreme heat posed a hazard. Masons who worked on blast furnaces, fire kilns, and industrial or commercial ovens are particularly at risk.
Of concern to masons is that fact that much of their work involved the cutting, breaking, and sanding of bricks and stones. These activities have the potential to release asbestos fibers into the air where they can be inhaled or land on clothing. Even workers who did not directly handle asbestos materials were put at risk because the microscopic fibers could float in the air for long periods of time. Also, the microscopic nature of the fibers meant that all dust masks were not necessarily effective in protecting the workers.
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Top Asbestos-Containing Products Encountered by Masons
• Cement sheets
• Bricks
• Mortar mix
• Stones
• Concrete
A more exhaustive list can be found on our asbestos containing products page.
Modern Masons are Still at Risk for Asbestos Exposure
Today’s masons continue to face some risk associated with asbestos exposure. It has been estimated that 1.3 million workers in the construction industry are still exposed to asbestos annually. Masons need to remain aware of renovations to stone and brick work on structures created before 1980. In addition, 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.
Sometimes modern masons are not taught the proper safety procedures or given the required equipment to protect themselves from the dangers of asbestos. A basic precaution is wearing a ventilator or safety mask to avoid inhaling asbestos dust when it may be present. Masons should also be schooled 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 a Mason? Mesothelioma Law Firms May be Able to Help
It is recommended that people who have spent a significant period of time employed as a mason or bricklayer get 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 working as a mason or bricklayer, you may be deserving of the financial compensation that mesothelioma settlements can provide. To learn more about your legal options, please contact us for a free mesothelioma case evaluation.