labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Company-owned automobiles can be a big expense for an employer.  The wise business owner will maintain a fleet of vehicles in tip-top shape and keep them operating effectively for as long as possible.  It’s the older model cars and trucks on the job that are the subject of a recent safety alert which warns of the hazards of asbestos that might be hidden in some parts of these older vehicles.

A Delaware worker safety alert issued recently warned of the environmental dangers of working with older vehicles that may still contain asbestos in the brake or clutch systems.  Asbestos is made of tiny, invisible particles that are so lightweight they become airborne and spread throughout a mechanic’s shop or other workplace.  Inhalation of these parts is a grave danger to the mechanic and to anyone else who happens to be sharing the same workspace.

The industrial use of asbestos was discontinued years ago after the disastrous effects of exposure to it were documented.  It was a commonly used material in the building and construction industries but, since it was banned, builders have quit using it and it was removed from most buildings that contained it.  The automotive industry quit using it, too, once it was banned but older vehicles may still contain mechanical systems that have asbestos-containing parts.

The recent Delaware worker safety alert recommends handling the parts of the brake and clutch system on older model vehicles as if they do in fact contain asbestos.  Employers using older model vehicles are charged with the responsibility of establishing asbestos-handling procedures.  It is also the employer’s responsibility to train staff members and enforce the use of the asbestos safety procedures.

Even years after the asbestos ban, more than 10,000 Americans die every year due to illness caused by asbestos exposure.  Mesothelioma, asbestosis, and lung cancer are three crippling and deadly diseases related to asbestos exposure.  Gastrointestinal cancers also contribute to the death rate from exposure to this dangerous substance.

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