labor lawAdivision of labor law center

The existence of asbestos in the brakes and clutches of many older vehicles is a risk for workers, warns a recent Texas worker safety alert. Brakes and clutches of older cars that may contain asbestos represent a health risk for mechanics and others workers in the auto repair industry.

The worker safety alert challenges the popular belief that asbestos hazards have been eliminated for American workers. Every employer must establish written asbestos-handling procedures, and train workers to minimize asbestos risks. The employer is also responsible for ensuring that employees follow the procedures. Any employer who fails to follow these guidelines is committing a serious violation of OSHA regulations. 

Are asbestos still a risk in the workplace? Many people think that asbestos hazards are a thing of the past. Almost all buildings have had the asbestos removed, and new cars contain no parts that include asbestos. Still, the recent OSHA alert points out that many older cars and trucks do contain parts with asbestos. The hazardous mineral is frequently a component in brakes and clutches. When mechanics work on brake or clutch systems, they are often exposed to toxic levels of this banned chemical compound.

Asbestos poses a risk because when the material is handled, it disintegrates into tiny fibers too small to see with the naked eye. The fibers are inhaled, where they remain in the lungs causing damage for many years. Every year, about 10,000 people die of asbestos-related diseases. Common asbestos-related illnesses are asbestosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and gastrointestinal cancer. Many of these diseases develop decades after exposure to asbestos.

Here’s the good news: the newest cars are 100% free of asbestos. However, it’s almost impossible to know if an older car contains parts with the hazardous material. OSHA advises mechanics to handle every brake and clutch part as if it did contain asbestos, just to be on the safe side.

Two common safety techniques limit workers’ exposure to asbestos. These include storing parts that may contain asbestos in sealed and labeled bags. Wetting the asbestos is also an effective measure to control the spread of particles.

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