Electricians and Asbestos Exposure

  Posted by: electime      5th October 2022

The United Kingdom possesses one of the highest rates of mesothelioma in the world, largely because the UK government permitted the use of asbestos long after other countries outlawed the mineral’s use.

Electricians are exposed to asbestos when repairing existing wiring in structures constructed when asbestos building materials were widely used. Repetitive and extended exposure can lead to asbestos-related diseases such as mesothelioma and lung cancer.

How Are Electricians Exposed to Asbestos?

Licensed electricians and electrical engineers have a long history of dangerous work and exposure to hazards. When working as repairers, technicians, construction laborers or in similar occupations, electricians have many ways they could be exposed to asbestos.

Wiring HVAC units, power systems or consulting with elevator installers in older buildings remains a primary means of asbestos exposure for electricians today.

Electricians are among the groups at highest risk of asbestos-related diseases. Data gathered by British researchers show electricians are almost 16 times more likely to develop mesothelioma than the general population.

Increasing awareness of mesothelioma helps raise funds for research and clinical trial participation.

Deaths from Mesothelioma and other related diseases are almost entirely preventable.

This can be halted by a worldwide ban on asbestos.