Railroads Knew Dangers of Asbestos & Failed to Protect
Owners and higher level employees working for railroad companies knew of the dangers of asbestos as early as 1930, and yet did nothing to warn or protect workers from exposure to the deadly substance until the 1980’s. Therefore, anyone who ran or repaired locomotives has a high likelihood of exposure to asbestos and runs a much higher risk of contracting mesothelioma.
Exposure was higher when locomotives were steam powered, with the transition to diesel not occurring until the 1950s and later. Use of asbestos as an insulating material was standard, especially in steam locomotives, so anyone who had a job that involved constructing or repairing steam locomotives is especially at risk.
Asbestos was used to insulate boilers, mains and gaskets, entire carriages, and heating systems. Sometimes, the workers who actually applied the asbestos coating and insulation wore some protective gear and clothing, and yet none of the other nearby workers had any safety equipment. Those most at risk were assemblers, finishers, joiners, electricians, and maintenance workers.
Studies early on began to show a causal relationship between exposure to asbestos and an increased number of deaths due to mesothelioma and lung cancer among railway machinists and workers. Despite this knowledge, workers were not given adequate, if any, warnings or protection against such deadly exposure. Due to a long latency period between exposure and development of symptoms of mesothelioma, many workers did not even realize the effects until twenty years after initial contact.
Sad to think that so many workers were put at risk and that railroad companies failed to meet their legal and moral obligation to do what was necessary to protect and keep them safe. According to the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), railroad carriers were responsible to provide working environments free from hazards and are liable for damages if an employee suffers injuries as a result of failure to do so. To read more about this, see Railroad Exposure to Asbestos & the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
If you worked for the railroad and have any signs of mesothelioma, contact your doctor immediately and tell him of your prior work history. To seek legal help, contact our mesothelioma lawyers who specialize in handling only asbestos lawsuits. They can help identify who is responsible based upon work sites and employer information, and get the results you need as quickly as possible. Please call 1-888-855-9052 or visit our website at www.mesothelioma-attorney.com.
