How Workplace Safety Standards Could Reduce Mesothelioma Cases?

Workplace safety stands have the power to significantly reduce mesothelioma cases across the country, but business owners have to be willing to invest in proven protective measures. Since mesothelioma is directly and almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, cases of this aggressive cancer can be reduced across the country. The first steps toward progress include understanding how mesothelioma workplace safety standards could reduce mesothelioma cases.

Understanding the Connection Between Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Asbestos exposure is the leading cause of mesothelioma, which is an aggressive and incurable cancer that commonly affects the lining of the lungs. Despite the declining use of asbestos in manufacturing and other sectors, thousands of people continue to be diagnosed with this serious and potentially deadly disease.

According to national data, 2,803 new cases were reported in 2021, a number consistent with the roughly 3,000 people diagnosed each year. One reason for this is the long latency period that can lead workers to find that they have mesothelioma decades after their initial exposure.

Often, exposure involves individuals who inhaled microscopic asbestos fibers when they were working on construction sites or shipyards. The average age at which someone discovers they have mesothelioma is 72.

Ongoing Gaps in Safety Protocols

Asbestos is now highly regulated, but it was never fully banned in the United States. This means that many older buildings, schools, and industrial sites contain asbestos in flooring, ceiling panels, pipe linings, and elsewhere. If those materials become disturbed, whether during demolition or renovations, they can release dangerous fibers into the air, where they are inhaled and embedded in the lungs of workers.

The dangers of asbestos exposure are well-known and commonly surfaced in the news. In March 2025, residents of a mobile home park protested ongoing demolitions after asbestos was discovered in multiple demolished units. County inspectors confirmed the presence of asbestos in four homes. Advocates argued that inspections were either skipped or mishandled and that unsafe removal practices may have released asbestos fibers into the air.

Workplace Protections Designed to Prevent Exposure

The dangers of asbestos exposure are now well-known and documented. Government agencies like OSHA and EPA have developed thorough safety standards for identifying and managing asbestos. These rules apply to job sites where asbestos is either present or suspected to be present. These laws often involve crucial steps that can include:

• Conducting thorough inspections before work begins
• Using certified asbestos abatement teams
• Containing work areas with barriers and negative air pressure
• Providing workers with proper respirators and protective suits
• Using HEPA vacuums and wet methods to suppress dust
• Monitoring air quality during and after removal

When these steps are carefully followed, workers and anyone who enters areas where demolitions or renovations are underway can reasonably expect to be protected from any exposure to asbestos. Unfortunately, many employers and supervisors fail to meet these standards, even though doing so can leave them in violation of laws and facing fines.

Why Companies Cut Corners When It Comes to Preventing Asbestos Exposure

Preventing asbestos exposure requires strict adherence to safety regulations, specialized training, and often the hiring of certified abatement professionals. These procedures take time and cost money, which is why some companies choose to cut corners.

One ongoing problem with asbestos is that decades have passed since the general public was at its highest alert to the dangers of asbestos. Whether it’s skipping inspections, delaying maintenance, or using untrained labor for removal, cost-saving decisions often come at the expense of worker safety.

In industries that are under pressure to meet tight deadlines or protect profit margins, safety may take a back seat. Some employers may falsely assume asbestos is “no longer a problem” or underestimate how much of it still exists in older buildings and equipment, especially during renovation, demolition, or unexpected maintenance involving legacy materials.

Others may willfully ignore safety protocols, betting that they can avoid liability once many years or decades pass. Those false beliefs could cost them dearly. Mesothelioma injury claims can lead to large settlements. Even in cases where a business closes, anyone who was exposed to asbestos may still have legal recourse to pursue compensation with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer.

What You Can Do If You Suspect You Are in an Unsafe Work Environment

If you suspect that you are working in an unsafe work environment, you have the right to report your employer. Taking proactive action can protect your health and prevent others from being exposed to asbestos. You can document your concerns by taking notes and photos of the suspicious materials if you can do so safely.

You can then report your concerns to management and request information about past asbestos inspections or abatement plans that may be in place. If management ignores your complaint, you can file a confidential report with OSHA. You have the right to refuse work that you believe poses a serious health risk.

If you believe that you were exposed to asbestos, you can seek a full medical evaluation. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you understand whether you are eligible to file a personal injury claim if you develop symptoms later on.

Can Property Managers Be Held Liable for Unsafe Work Environments

Property managers can be held liable if their negligence leads to conditions that result in asbestos exposure. Any exposure to asbestos is potentially dangerous. When construction managers are overseeing projects involving older buildings, they have a legal responsibility to maintain safe conditions for tenants, workers, and visitors.

These steps can include identifying known asbestos-containing materials and ensuring the proper removal of contaminated materials throughout the renovation, repair, or demolition process. If a property manager ignores warnings, skips required inspections, or hires unqualified contractors to perform asbestos-related work, they may be liable for any resulting illnesses.

Liability can belong to multiple parties, including landlords, building managers, contractors, and other parties who are involved in projects. Any worker or tenant who believes they were exposed to asbestos due to improper or inadequate safety protocols can hire an attorney to determine whether a claim can be made for damages, medical costs, or long-term suffering.

FAQs

Q: What Are the OSHA Requirements for Asbestos?

A: The OSHA requirements for asbestos include regulated exposure limits, mandatory respiratory protection, and proper hazard communication. Employers must monitor air quality, provide protective clothing, and ensure decontamination procedures. OSHA also requires asbestos awareness training for affected workers.

These rules apply to general industry, construction, and shipyards. Employers who fail to meet these standards risk violations, worker illness, and long-term legal and medical consequences.

Q: Can Employers Protect Their Employees Against Asbestos?

A: Employers can protect their employees against asbestos by enforcing strict containment procedures, using wet methods to reduce airborne fibers, and providing certified respirators. Work areas must be isolated, and debris must be properly disposed of according to federal guidelines. Employers must also provide ongoing training. Failing to take these steps increases the risk of occupational exposure and long-term respiratory diseases like mesothelioma.

Q: What Is the EPA Asbestos Worker Protection Rule?

A: The EPA Asbestos Worker Protection Rule extends OSHA’s asbestos safety standards to public employees in states without OSHA-approved programs. This rule ensures government workers, including those in schools or municipal buildings, receive similar protections as private-sector employees.

Requirements include training, exposure monitoring, and medical exams. The rule helps close regulatory gaps and reduces preventable asbestos exposure for state and local workers.

Q: What Are Common Signs of Asbestos Exposure?

A: Common signs of asbestos exposure include shortness of breath, a persistent dry cough, chest pain, and fatigue. Some individuals may also experience weight loss or clubbed fingers. These symptoms often appear decades after exposure. If you worked around asbestos in construction, shipyards, or industrial settings, speak to a doctor immediately. Early diagnosis is critical for managing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma and asbestosis.

Q: How Long Does It Take Mesothelioma to Develop?

A: Mesothelioma typically develops 20 to 50 years after asbestos exposure. The disease often remains undetected during this long latency period because early symptoms mimic common illnesses. People exposed in the 1970s or 1980s may not show signs until today. If you have a history of working near asbestos, regular checkups and clear documentation of your exposure history can be vital for an accurate medical diagnosis and mesothelioma claim.

You Deserve Compensation. Contact Wallace & Graham, P.A. Today

When workplaces fail to follow safety standards, employees can be exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. While many states are taking strong enforcement actions by mandating workers use protective equipment and other protections, exposure to asbestos continues to be a problem, and many workers who were exposed to asbestos in the past can still develop respiratory problems.

At Wallace & Graham, P.A., we represent workers harmed by unsafe conditions in shipyards, factories, and construction sites, and we know how to hold companies accountable for cutting corners on safety. Our attorneys have decades of experience and pursue full compensation for medical costs, lost income, and more. Contact Wallace & Graham, P.A. online to schedule a consultation today.