Carpenters are at high risk for developing mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases because of their massive exposure to asbestos-containing materials. Shipbuilding, industrial settings and commercial and residential buildings are just a few common job sites where carpenters worked with or around asbestos materials. When carpenters were not working directly with asbestos, they were quite often in the immediate vicinity of other tradesman, including, electricians, drywall finishers and plumbers, who also worked with asbestos materials.

Carpenters are involved in different types of construction work. Carpenters build wood products, such as bookshelves and cabinetry, but they also install and repair equipment made from other materials. Prior to the late 1970s, exposure to asbestos was quite common for carpenters who worked in industrial settings and built large forms for industrial equipment. They erected scaffolding and large forms around multistoried boilers and turbines at chemical plants, refineries and manufacturing facilities. While working at these sites, carpenters worked shoulder-to-shoulder with asbestos pipe coverers who cut and mixed asbestos-containing pipe covering, block and cement. Preparation of asbestos-containing insulation materials created a constant cloud of asbestos dust that workers inhaled.

Carpenters also worked on new construction and home remodeling projects, which required them to work directly with asbestos-containing materials. It was quite common for carpenters to install, remove or cut into drywall and insulation materials. Carpenters routinely installed or removed other asbestos-containing building materials including, floor tile, ceiling tile, joint compound, thinset, mastic, roofing materials and transite siding.

If you or a loved one worked as a carpenter, you may have been exposed to asbestos. If you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma or another asbestos-related disease, please contact us for a free and confidential case evaluation.


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Incidence of Mesothelioma Among a Variety of Occupations