On Sept. 24, 2012, 52-year-old Eric Smith died at his home in Ilkeston, England, one year after receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. According to his wife, as reported by the Ilkeston Advertiser, he had worked as an auto mechanic since he was 16 years old, blowing asbestos dust off brake and clutch pedals without any protective clothing or face mask. He often worked “very long hours, seven days a week,” and he was “‘fit and well’ before his diagnosis.” As a result of the disease, he had most of his right lung surgically removed in September 2011. The deputy coroner reportedly identified Smith’s cause of death as “industrial disease.”
Breathing in toxic asbestos fibers can lead to the development of mesothelioma, lung cancer, throat cancer and other serious illnesses. Certain occupations have an especially high risk of asbestos exposure. Auto mechanics, construction and demolition workers, railroad workers, aircraft mechanics, textile mill workers and shipyard workers are all at risk of being exposed to asbestos on the job, and these are just a few examples. Families of these workers are also at risk of asbestos exposure, as dangerous asbestos fibers can be carried home on a worker’s clothing.
In the auto industry, manufacturers started using asbestos in brake lining and clutch pads because of its heat-resistant nature. Although major auto manufacturers in the United States have stopped using asbestos-containing parts in new vehicles, mechanics servicing older vehicles remain at high risk of asbestos exposure. Additionally, asbestos-containing aftermarket parts continue to be imported into the U.S. and used in repairs. If you have developed an asbestos-related disease and currently or previously worked in the auto repair industry, contact an experienced asbestos attorney today. An asbestos lawyer can review your case to determine whether you may be entitled to compensation.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “millions of asbestos fibers can be released during brake and clutch servicing.” The EPA’s current best practices for preventing asbestos exposure among brake and clutch repair workers include the following requirements established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration:
- Workers in commercial auto shops performing more than five clutch or brake jobs per week must use a negative-pressure enclosure/HEPA vacuum system method, a low pressure/wet cleaning method, or an equivalent method
- Workers in commercial auto shops performing five or less clutch or brake jobs per week can use a wet wipe method
As the EPA points out, “you cannot tell whether brake or clutch components contain asbestos simply by looking at them.” As such, auto mechanics should err on the side of caution and always assume brake and clutch components contain asbestos. Employers have a duty to provide workers with proper safety equipment and training. Failing to protect workers from potential asbestos exposure puts their health and their lives at risk.
If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, contact a qualified mesothelioma attorney today to learn about your legal rights. A mesothelioma lawyer can help you get the compensation you need and deserve.