The risk of asbestos exposure should be a concern for all industrial workers, especially for those who work as electricians. Because asbestos was widely used in thousands of products – including construction materials that electricians use – all necessary safety precautions should be taken.

Asbestos is a toxic mineral that naturally occurs in certain environmental settings. As a result of its heat resistance and insulating properties, it became widely popular during the 1900s for industrial uses. Residential and commercial buildings built prior to the 1980s possibly contain asbestos, especially near electrical areas.

Inhalation or ingestion of asbestos fibers has been linked to the development of multiple cancers, including lung cancer and mesothelioma. Once diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, the survival rate is typically low.

Potential Points of Exposure

Within a building, asbestos can be found in countless places where an electrician may have to work. For example, older wiring within breaker boxes has been known to contain asbestos. The use of asbestos tape was also common in prior decades as an adhesive for various electrical products.

Additionally, electricians must also take concern with the portions of their jobs that require drilling through walls to place wiring. Multiple areas in the home where wires are found may have asbestos insulation or asbestos wallboard nearby.

Ceiling tiles, circuit breakers and wall plaster are other areas where asbestos may be contained and may increase an electrician’s likelihood of exposure to asbestos when working in older homes.

Secondary Exposure

The secondary exposure of asbestos is another tremendous concern for electricians. Asbestos fibers can easily become attached to clothing or skin, endangering the family members of an electrician when they bring this contaminated clothing home. This exposure is also common among miners and factory workers, where family members subsequently developed severe health issues.

To prevent secondary exposure, electricians should dispose of contaminated clothing or thoroughly wash them, prior to leaving the workplace. Additionally, the worker should properly shower to ensure no fibers remain on the skin. This will significantly decrease the likelihood that asbestos fibers will transfer from the workplace to the home where family members could be affected.

Guest Blogger: Mark Hall is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. Between his interests in environmental health and his writing experience, Mark is committed to communicating relevant news and information regarding the dangers of asbestos exposure and breakthroughs in mesothelioma treatments.

About David Cant

David Cant is a Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner extraordinaire. He has a wealth of Industry experience and is the MD of Veritas Consulting. David also Blogs about Health and Safety here Health and Safety Consultants

His aim is to flavour Health and Safety with integrity, served with a side of humour You can find David on - Twitter and Google also Linkedin